Man, Nature, and the Nature of Man

by Alan W. Watts

Drawn from hundreds of hours of rare archival recordings from the personal collection of his son, Mark Watts, this program presents the essential message of Alan Watts. Here is Alan Watts, recorded live in seminars conducted in America and Japan, personally explaining how the Eastern view of man and his place in the world can be made meaningful to the contemporary Westerner.

Genres: Philosophy, Buddhism, Audiobook, Spirituality

Audio Cassette

First published February 15, 1991

About the author

Alan Wilson Watts was a British philosopher, writer and speaker, who held both a Master's in Theology and a Doctorate of Divinity. Famous for his research on comparative religion, he was best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Asian philosophies for a Western audience. He wrote over 25 books and numerous articles on subjects such as personal identity, the true nature of reality, higher consciousness, the meaning of life, concepts and images of God and the non-material pursuit of happiness. In his books he relates his experience to scientific knowledge and to the teachings of Eastern and Western religion and philosophy.

Reviews

[Sarah Sevedge · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When you play music, it simply disappears, and for that reason it is one of the highest and most spiritual form of the arts because it is the most transient. Transience is a mark of spirituality. A lot of people think the opposite, that the spiritual things are the everlasting things. But you see, the more a thing tends to be permanent the more it tends to be lifeless.”

And with that, this brief little collection of Alan Watts’ orations enters into the catalogue of necessary listening for humanity.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know much about Alan Watts but I did enjoy this. He is a creative thinker and seems to be a fun resource for inquiring into Eastern philosophies. He tinkers with neologism, my new favorite word being, bamboozled. His sense of humor is “wiggly”/fun and his perspective is sincere and unique.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better collections of Watts lectures, mostly under the topic of not confusing symbols with realities, how our thoughts create the kind of world we think we live in, and how nature and spirit aren't opposite concepts.

[Arda Gezdur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zen and budhism for westerners

[Maxat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, beginner level information about certain western mental models. Good intro to works of Alan Watts

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply love the way this man thinks and speaks. He can really "come off it" and get down to the nitty gritty. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version is also in 'You're it!' I would recommend that instead.

[Kieron · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5