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Leave It Be: Alan Watts on the Art of Meditation
The legendary author, speaker, and self-described "philosophical entertainer" Alan Watts delights us on audio with a wealth of illuminations into the spirit and art of meditation, spanning many traditions
"What would it be like to see all as one?" Alan Watts asks. "We hear about attaining great states of consciousness. But the only way to have a real transformation is to stop thinking about it—and simply experience it."
From the 1950s to the 1970s, this seminal teacher sparked the West's love for Eastern wisdom. Now, in these rare recorded gems, he inspires a new generation of inner explorers seeking deeper insights into meditation—its myriad forms, how they work, and what happens when we practice them.
On the "artless art" of contemplative practice, Watts explores Buddhist and yogic paths, Zen koans, Hindu mantra chanting, deep listening, effortless awareness, and more.
The key to all meditation, reflects Watts, is to give up trying to do it—to leave it be—and allow ourselves to be meditated by what is beyond our illusory self.
For those looking for teachings seldom explored in the current tide of books on mindfulness, Buddhism, and yoga, Watts is here to enthrall us—as original, humorous, and relevant today as ever.
"What would it be like to see all as one?" Alan Watts asks. "We hear about attaining great states of consciousness. But the only way to have a real transformation is to stop thinking about it—and simply experience it."
From the 1950s to the 1970s, this seminal teacher sparked the West's love for Eastern wisdom. Now, in these rare recorded gems, he inspires a new generation of inner explorers seeking deeper insights into meditation—its myriad forms, how they work, and what happens when we practice them.
On the "artless art" of contemplative practice, Watts explores Buddhist and yogic paths, Zen koans, Hindu mantra chanting, deep listening, effortless awareness, and more.
The key to all meditation, reflects Watts, is to give up trying to do it—to leave it be—and allow ourselves to be meditated by what is beyond our illusory self.
For those looking for teachings seldom explored in the current tide of books on mindfulness, Buddhism, and yoga, Watts is here to enthrall us—as original, humorous, and relevant today as ever.
Audio CD
Published January 7, 2020
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258 people want to read
About the author
Alan W. Watts
255 books8,022 followersAlan 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.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 2, 2022
Audio Book experience: Alan Watts was great, the extra bird, rain, and other sounds put in by the publishers were so unnatural during the contemplative practice that it took away from listening to the actual sounds of the world that he talks about ie. The sounds of the road and the neighbourhood. The sounds of your home and reality. Too bad that a great lecture and guided meditation was glamourized by modern mystics and the desire to escape reality rather than really accept it as Alan Watts encourages.
April 26, 2021
It's another collection of Alan Watts lectures. Most of them would be familiar from other recordings, but here are some new or phrased differently bits. Careful with the title though, meditation topic is covered in the very end and quite briefly, so if you're after a meditation manual this is not that. Otherwise - Alan Watts at his best.
January 21, 2020
Some of the lectures here I've already heard in the other Watts collection from Soundstrue. So it's disappointing to have repeats when there are so many they could have included. Also, the last lecture was edited to include sound effects and recordings from what sounds like a meditation retreat. I found the edits distracting and unnecessary.
August 22, 2020
I heard this on Audible and it switched something within me. A very timely listen and highly recommended for anyone looking to understand their own spiritual journeys.
Read
March 17, 2020I love listening to Alan Watts' voice- he's got this way of speaking that you don't hear today. He was on the cutting edge of bringing Asian philosophy to Western audiences... but that was a good half-century ago. So, you'll have to take what he says with a grain of salt and be prepared to roll your eyes a few times, but it's worth it.
If you're already familiar with his work, you're going to hear some repetition, but the subject matter makes it bearable.
Honestly, it's like your grandpa telling you a story- there's some outdated stuff, and he repeats himself, but it's more about the experience than anything else.
If you're already familiar with his work, you're going to hear some repetition, but the subject matter makes it bearable.
Honestly, it's like your grandpa telling you a story- there's some outdated stuff, and he repeats himself, but it's more about the experience than anything else.
May 1, 2021
The angels fly because they take themselves lightly.
G. K. Chesterton
G. K. Chesterton
April 14, 2023
A meditative listen as always with Alan Watts.
November 22, 2023
An amazing Reflection on Eastern Modes of Thought.
Listening to Watts share his fascination with Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist thoughts and their techniques of thinking is an exciting exercise. Hearing those reflections in his own voice brings them alive in a way the printed word never can.
He provides a wonderful step by step context that ultimately leads us as students to the evocation of the Meditative State that we can appreciate with the knowledge he has given us.
This was a wonderful experience that needs to be repeated again and again. Five Stars. *****
Listening to Watts share his fascination with Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist thoughts and their techniques of thinking is an exciting exercise. Hearing those reflections in his own voice brings them alive in a way the printed word never can.
He provides a wonderful step by step context that ultimately leads us as students to the evocation of the Meditative State that we can appreciate with the knowledge he has given us.
This was a wonderful experience that needs to be repeated again and again. Five Stars. *****
May 14, 2025
I just have to say:
This one reminded me how powerful it can be to just sit still, observe, and trust that being is enough. Easier said than done.
Book Rating:
★★★★☆
4 Stars – Impressive. A thoroughly enjoyable and well-crafted book. While it might not redefine the genre, it’s absolutely worth the time and attention.
Review:
The audio is narrated by Alan Watts himself, and his voice—somewhere between British and transatlantic—was both curious and captivating. At times I found myself distracted trying to place the exact dialect, but not in a negative way. His tone, cadence, and laughter (yes, there’s some of that, too) added warmth and texture to the experience. I wasn’t sure if the commentary and audience feedback was live audience or post-production, but it didn’t detract from the message.
The sessions are organized by theme, and while none go particularly deep into any one philosophy or religion, each offers just enough to ignite contemplation:
Sessions 1–4 explore ideas from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism. They’re high-level overviews—more spiritual and reflective than analytical—but they do a good job of threading these teachings into the broader theme of selfhood and liberation.
Sessions 5–6 These sessions begin to synthesize earlier philosophical concepts into a more cohesive reflection on the paradox of human existence. Watts explores the tension between the illusion of separateness and our true nature as part of the larger whole. He encourages listeners to question the belief that we must always strive, fix, or control—and instead, to consider a gentler, more intuitive way of being.
One of the most resonant moments is his invitation to regard yourself like a cloud:
It’s a surprisingly liberating frame. By releasing the need for constant judgment or correction, Watts suggests we can learn to trust our intuition and flow more easily with life. Of course, he cautions that this requires a genuine understanding of Zen—otherwise, the concept can be misapplied or turned into yet another excuse for detachment. Still, the imagery is powerful and stayed with me long after the session ended.
Sessions 7–9 lean into Daoist principles and Zen ideas like the “controlled accident.” It’s not about mastering life—it’s about trusting it.
This isn’t a book for everyone. It’s abstract, fluid, and more poetic than prescriptive. But if you're someone who wants to dip your toes into meditation as a way of being this is a worthy and thoughtful listen.
This one reminded me how powerful it can be to just sit still, observe, and trust that being is enough. Easier said than done.
Book Rating:
★★★★☆
4 Stars – Impressive. A thoroughly enjoyable and well-crafted book. While it might not redefine the genre, it’s absolutely worth the time and attention.
Review:
The audio is narrated by Alan Watts himself, and his voice—somewhere between British and transatlantic—was both curious and captivating. At times I found myself distracted trying to place the exact dialect, but not in a negative way. His tone, cadence, and laughter (yes, there’s some of that, too) added warmth and texture to the experience. I wasn’t sure if the commentary and audience feedback was live audience or post-production, but it didn’t detract from the message.
The sessions are organized by theme, and while none go particularly deep into any one philosophy or religion, each offers just enough to ignite contemplation:
Sessions 1–4 explore ideas from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism. They’re high-level overviews—more spiritual and reflective than analytical—but they do a good job of threading these teachings into the broader theme of selfhood and liberation.
Sessions 5–6 These sessions begin to synthesize earlier philosophical concepts into a more cohesive reflection on the paradox of human existence. Watts explores the tension between the illusion of separateness and our true nature as part of the larger whole. He encourages listeners to question the belief that we must always strive, fix, or control—and instead, to consider a gentler, more intuitive way of being.
One of the most resonant moments is his invitation to regard yourself like a cloud:
“Clouds never make mistakes. Have you ever seen a cloud that is misshapen? Have you ever seen a badly designed wave? No, they always do the right thing. So now do we—we are natural beings just like clouds and waves. Only we have complicated games that cause us to doubt ourselves. But if you will treat yourself for a while as a cloud or a wave, and realize that you can’t make a mistake whatever you do… it will all come out in the wash somehow or other.”
It’s a surprisingly liberating frame. By releasing the need for constant judgment or correction, Watts suggests we can learn to trust our intuition and flow more easily with life. Of course, he cautions that this requires a genuine understanding of Zen—otherwise, the concept can be misapplied or turned into yet another excuse for detachment. Still, the imagery is powerful and stayed with me long after the session ended.
Sessions 7–9 lean into Daoist principles and Zen ideas like the “controlled accident.” It’s not about mastering life—it’s about trusting it.
This isn’t a book for everyone. It’s abstract, fluid, and more poetic than prescriptive. But if you're someone who wants to dip your toes into meditation as a way of being this is a worthy and thoughtful listen.
December 11, 2024
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~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}--- :}|{:-:}|{:- * FOLLOW 4 FOLLOW * -:}|{:-:}|{: ---{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}--------:}|{:-:}|{:- * LINKS * -:}|{:-:}|{:----------{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
***********************************************
* -:}|{}|{:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdzph... -:}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{:- FULL AUDIOBOOK - Alan Watts - Leave It Be :}|{}|{:- *
=AN AUDIOBOOK - OF LECTURES OF ALAN WATTS = ALL READ BY ALAN WATTS=
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{}|{:- * SUMMARY * -:}|{}|{:- *
1:04:52 / 7:48:59
WITH A FUNNY LOOK ON HIS FACE
= WHY ARE U TRYING 2 KID ME =
COME OFF IT SHIVA - I KNOW WHO - YOU ARE
= THESE SO CALLED LAZY PEOPLE - WHERE ALWAYS LIKE WATER - SEEKING THAT PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE = THROUGH THIS THERE IS FOUND A DEAP SENSE OF INTILLEGANCE =
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{:- * RATING * -:}|{:- * 20/10 * -:}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{}|{: =EXPERIENCES=&=DISCERNMENTS= :}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{: = = }|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~
Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”
Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind
A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}--- :}|{:-:}|{:- * FOLLOW 4 FOLLOW * -:}|{:-:}|{: ---{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}--------:}|{:-:}|{:- * LINKS * -:}|{:-:}|{:----------{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
***********************************************
* -:}|{}|{:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdzph... -:}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{:- FULL AUDIOBOOK - Alan Watts - Leave It Be :}|{}|{:- *
=AN AUDIOBOOK - OF LECTURES OF ALAN WATTS = ALL READ BY ALAN WATTS=
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{}|{:- * SUMMARY * -:}|{}|{:- *
1:04:52 / 7:48:59
WITH A FUNNY LOOK ON HIS FACE
= WHY ARE U TRYING 2 KID ME =
COME OFF IT SHIVA - I KNOW WHO - YOU ARE
= THESE SO CALLED LAZY PEOPLE - WHERE ALWAYS LIKE WATER - SEEKING THAT PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE = THROUGH THIS THERE IS FOUND A DEAP SENSE OF INTILLEGANCE =
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{:- * RATING * -:}|{:- * 20/10 * -:}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{}|{: =EXPERIENCES=&=DISCERNMENTS= :}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{: = = }|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~
Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”
Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind
A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
November 23, 2020
Aristotle said: “Philosophy is a sense of wonder, an expression of curiosity about everything, an attempt to make intellectual sense of the world.” Intelligence is a representation of a system of symbols to express some form of an outward appearance.
Nothing has meaning apart from words, because the function of words is to point to something beyond themselves. Therefore, nothing has meaning without language attached. Of all the art forms, music and dance are the closest analogies for the game of life.
All of life is a spherical spectrum of positives and negatives, which cannot exist without one another. The positive and negative sides of all things are interdependent. Only by understanding one side of the spectrum are we able to understand the other side. In this way, much of historical human endeavor is an act of fruitlessly chasing one’s tail; attempting to solve insolvable problems. Ego is an idea or image of one’s self as being a consistent subject over time, dividing the entire world of perceptions between oneself. Success is the greatest failure of life.
All laws serve as pressure systems. It would appear as though rigid laws will lead to organization, but the fact of the matter is that unchanging laws only lead to utter disorganization. On the most fundamental level, all interactions are a form of flow. The patterns of the elements in nature all assume some form of this liquid flow of life. The pure mind is like a mirror in that it possesses nothing while reflecting everything. Living in worlds of symbols takes us away from our innate connections with reality.
Meditation shows us that the points of life are always arrived at in the immediate, present moment.
Nothing has meaning apart from words, because the function of words is to point to something beyond themselves. Therefore, nothing has meaning without language attached. Of all the art forms, music and dance are the closest analogies for the game of life.
All of life is a spherical spectrum of positives and negatives, which cannot exist without one another. The positive and negative sides of all things are interdependent. Only by understanding one side of the spectrum are we able to understand the other side. In this way, much of historical human endeavor is an act of fruitlessly chasing one’s tail; attempting to solve insolvable problems. Ego is an idea or image of one’s self as being a consistent subject over time, dividing the entire world of perceptions between oneself. Success is the greatest failure of life.
All laws serve as pressure systems. It would appear as though rigid laws will lead to organization, but the fact of the matter is that unchanging laws only lead to utter disorganization. On the most fundamental level, all interactions are a form of flow. The patterns of the elements in nature all assume some form of this liquid flow of life. The pure mind is like a mirror in that it possesses nothing while reflecting everything. Living in worlds of symbols takes us away from our innate connections with reality.
Meditation shows us that the points of life are always arrived at in the immediate, present moment.
March 21, 2021
I always enjoy listening to Alan Watts, though if we're being honest, there wasn't much in this collection that truly centered on meditation, and only the briefest of sections toward the very end that dealt with anything resembling instruction or methodology. That being said, whether this is your first or five hundredth listen to one of his lectures, there's always something to be gained, something worthwhile.
February 20, 2020
New compilation, old material. Chapter 5 is my absolute favorite
April 14, 2020
This is it. :))
December 22, 2020
I love listening to Alan Watts, and highly recommend him to anyone who’s set on the path of self discovery
August 21, 2021
Not much content, but the man had a voice…
August 21, 2024
4+ stars. Alan Watts is always good for me. The very part last of this one wasn’t the best. Still, I just love him!
November 7, 2024
A delightful blend of wisdom and wit that invites us to embrace the art of meditation with a dash of irreverence.
June 13, 2025
Sheer joy to listen to Alan’s voice teach Taoist insights in bite sized western digestible morsels with a touch of humor.
August 6, 2025
Just a repackaging of You're it
January 16, 2026
Wonderful!
August 6, 2020
Recycled content.
I mean, it's great, but covered elsewhere.
I mean, it's great, but covered elsewhere.
February 14, 2020
"There's always in the poetry of evanescence a kind of funny nostalgia."
August 23, 2023
Always enjoy my time with Alan Watts. No matter how much I listen to I always discover something new.
This seems like individual lectures pieced
unto a title which is fine other than for some
overlapping content but didn't hurt one bit to have it repeated.
The audio quality is lacking at times.
We are spoiled in our modern times. Ironically,
he mentions many such advances in some of the lectures.
Always recommend time with Mr Watts
This seems like individual lectures pieced
unto a title which is fine other than for some
overlapping content but didn't hurt one bit to have it repeated.
The audio quality is lacking at times.
We are spoiled in our modern times. Ironically,
he mentions many such advances in some of the lectures.
Always recommend time with Mr Watts
June 20, 2025
Can never go wrong with Watts. Really interesting take on religion towards the end.
Such a good summary. Reliatened shortly thereafter
Listened again. Love the review of the great religions. Great explanation of meditation.
Such a good summary. Reliatened shortly thereafter
Listened again. Love the review of the great religions. Great explanation of meditation.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews