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Alan Watts

Alan Watts

Born January 6, 1915 · Died November 16, 1973

Alan Wilson Watts (January 6, 1915 – November 16, 1973) was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience.

Quotes

  • “Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.”
    Paraphrase of original text which reads "It does not confuse spirituality with t
  • “Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.”
    As quoted in Life magazine 21 April 1961
  • “Just as the word "water" is a noise that symbolizes a certain liquid without being it, so too the idea of ego symbolizes the role you play, who you are, but it is not the same as your living organism.”
    Buddhism : The Religion of No-Religion
  • “Running away from fear is fear; fighting pain is pain; trying to be brave is being scared.”
    The Wisdom of Insecurity
  • “If Christianity is wine and Islam coffee, Buddhism is most certainly tea.”
    The Way of Zen, p. 190

Quotes from Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Books by Alan Watts in order

Books by Alan Watts in the order they were published, from The Spirit of Zen (1936) to Still the Mind (2000).

  1. 1The Spirit of ZenThe Spirit of Zen1936
  2. 2Behold the SpiritBehold the Spirit1947
  3. 3The Supreme IdentityThe Supreme Identity1950
  4. 4The Wisdom of InsecurityThe Wisdom of Insecurity1951
  5. 5Myth and Ritual in ChristianityMyth and Ritual in Christianity1953
  6. 6Become What You AreBecome What You Are1954
  7. 7The Way of ZenThe Way of Zen1957
  8. 8Nature, Man,& WomanNature, Man,& Woman1958
  9. 9This Is ItThis Is It1960
  10. 10Psychotherapy, East and WestPsychotherapy, East and West1961
  11. 11The Joyous CosmologyThe Joyous Cosmology1962
  12. 12The Two Hands of GodThe Two Hands of God1963
  13. 13Beyond TheologyBeyond Theology1964
  14. 14The Book; on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You AreThe Book; on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are1966
  15. 15Does It Matter?Does It Matter?1970
  16. 16In My Own WayIn My Own Way1972
  17. 17Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts UnknownCloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown1973
  18. 18The Essence of Alan WattsThe Essence of Alan Watts1974
  19. 19TaoTao1975
  20. 20The Essential Alan WattsThe Essential Alan Watts1977
  21. 21Buddhism, the Religion of No-religionBuddhism, the Religion of No-religion1996
  22. 22Out of Your MindOut of Your Mind1998
  23. 23TaoismTaoism1998
  24. 24Still the MindStill the Mind2000

Lists with books by Alan Watts

If you like Alan Watts