Zen: A Short Introduction with Illustrations by the Author

by Alan W. Watts, Shinge Roko Sherry Chayat (Foreword)

According to Alan Watts, “Zen taste deplores the cluttering of a picture or of a room with many objects.” In that sense, this minimalist book embodies the aesthetic of Zen itself. As with brushstrokes in a Japanese ink painting, the words have been used sparingly and arranged precisely, with no unnecessary detail. In seven brief chapters, Watts captures the essence of Zen Buddhism as a religion and a way of life. He explains fundamental Zen concepts, introduces revered Zen thinkers, places Zen within the broader context of Eastern religion, and traces the influence of Zen in the arts. Illustrated with calligraphy and drawings by the author, this reprint of an old classic will delight fans of Alan Watts, while introducing new readers to a legendary author who infused groundbreaking scholarship with literary brilliance.

Genres: Philosophy

80 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2019

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

[Freddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

[Thomas Noonan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aside from ubiquitous YouTube talks and samples, I hadn't read any longform Watts in his own words.

An earnest, in-depth description of Zen is quite hard to pin down, but I feel like this has been the best estimation of it aside from direct texts. It's short, to the point, and I re-read a few things that stood out.

I'd like to revisit it again once I read something of a little more substance directly, but I found it illuminating, engaging, and an appropriate length.

I also had never heard of the word occidental before. You learn something new every day.

[Purplecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to Zen and eastern thought as told by Alan Watts. This book is brief but powerful. I often found myself re-reading some chapters because there is just so much in there to dissect but Watts makes it simple to read and follow. I'm excited to do a deep dive of some of his other work.