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Title: The Book : On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan W. Watts, Ralph Blum ISBN: 1-55927-065-9 Publisher: Audio Renaissance Pub. Date: 15 April, 1990 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.58 (53 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent
Comment: _The Book: on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are_ is the quintessential 60's counter-culture book. It is a great place to start reading philosophy if you are an amateur, and used to reading only fiction. It is also a refreshing change of pace for the most grizzled veterans of old-school German philosophy. This is the kind of book that can renew your faith in the possibility of communicating profound ideas without having to use a dense and impenetrable style of prose. Granted, it is not exactly a monumental literary achievement, but this is only because it is so short. But page for page, it is just as potent and profound as any other book ever written. Because of its slim profile, it is not a very intimidating book, so I encourage readers of all skill levels to give this one a try.
If you're like me this book will only make you want to read more Alan Watts. I encourage you to also read: _Behold the Spirit_, _Psychotherapy East and West_, _The Two Hands of God_, and _Myth and Ritual in Christianity_, all by Alan Watts. This book is only the tip of the iceberg. Buy this book, realize how great an author Alan Watts is, and then get into the real meat of his works. Even if some of these are out of print, someway, somehow you must try to find them, and discover one of the greatest American writers ever to have lived.
Rating: 4
Summary: Still useful 60's classic
Comment: I never gave Watts his full due of respect back in the 60's and 70's, because at the time I (and others) saw him as a trendy popularizer perhaps cashing in on the interest of that segment of the western readership who are perennially eastern-obsessed and therefore too naive and uncritical of their philosophy. Back then, there were just too many young people, who, having rejected whatever western culture they were brought up in, simply accepted, lock, stock, and barrel, Tao, Vedanta, and/or Buddhism after having read one or two books and therefore having finally discovered "the truth."
Well, looking back, that's perhaps too harsh an assessment, and I will say that Watts's book is an extremely well-written, concise, and clear introduction to Vedantic thought that is as relevant today as it was 35 years ago. I recently picked up the book after 30 years, and found that in many ways I enjoyed it even more than I did back then.
As others have commented more completely on the usefulness and relevance of the philosophy in the book, I will just mention one thing. I really enjoyed his discussion about the fear of death. Watts points out that the way western culture deals practically and philosophically with death, isolating the individual from feeling a part of the universe as a whole on the one hand, and as basically a taboo subject, on the other, is unproductive and ultimately does nothing to resolve the issue. He points out that the denial process of sweeping it under the rug only makes it worse, and that ultimately the only solution is to just face one's fear. If death frightens you or makes you afraid, well then, be afraid. At least be honest about it, because that's the first step to realistically starting to deal with the problem.
The reality is, that no matter how certain one is of one's religion, no-one truly knows if there is an afterlife. It is possible that all these beliefs simply represent a wishful-thinking and wish-fulfillment response to a realistic fear--the fear of death. Until one admits that and confronts the issue head on, it will continue to haunt you despite your most cherished beliefs to the contrary.
Rating: 4
Summary: Interesting Read. Sporatic at times
Comment: While the concepts and philosophies of Alan Watts, as presented in this book, are interesting, enlightening and challening, you will find yourself re-reading whole passages. Why? Watts thoguth process is like his philosohpies, they "go with the flow". Reading this book at times is like the scene in Rocky when Rocky Balboa is chasing the chickens around his backyard. You will want so to grasp ahold of the ideas, but the ideas keep running in circles.
I definately recommend reading this boo. But be forewrned, you will want to read it twice, and maybe 3 times just to grasp its overall message.
The philosophy presented in "THE BOOK" at times was brilliant, but also unrealistic. Complete seperation from the ego because there is no I is the sweeping premise. We are the universe, and the universe is us. Just be you, unhindered, etc.
Some of the generalizations Watts makes are a tad too much for me. The pursuit of money is bad, striving to feed the hungry is bad, just be you, and go with the flow around you.
Sometimes the world needs you to pick up your ego and take charge. I can say this: I wouldn't want to live in a world of Watt's clones.
While there is much appreciation for the experience, it is much to idealistic of a philosophy to be a nature human pursuit. "trying on" this view could be likened to balancing a running chainsaw on your nose...it won't stay that way for long!
Watt's believes the ego, and I, do not exist. I'm not sold on this. Don't jump ship on your spirituality just yet! The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are doesn't have much in common with the human heart, and the human reality.
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Title: The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan W. Watts ISBN: 0394704681 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 12 September, 1968 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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Title: The Way of Zen by Alan W. Watts ISBN: 0375705104 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 26 January, 1999 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: Nature, Man and Woman by Alan W. Watts ISBN: 0679732330 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 27 February, 1991 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: This Is It : and Other Essays on Zen and Spiritual Experience by Alan W. Watts ISBN: 0394719042 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 12 March, 1973 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
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Title: Become What You Are : Expanded Edition by Alan W. Watts ISBN: 1570629404 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 11 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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