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معنى السعادة
subtitle: The quest for freedom of the spirit in modern psychology and the wisdom of the East
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1940
252 people are currently reading
2097 people want to read
About the author
Alan W. Watts
255 books7,999 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 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 12, 2009
THIS WAS FANTASTIC. In the top five books I've ever read. I need to go back and knock everything else on here down a star. I've been listening to alan watts' lectures since I was 17 and, still, this book blew me away with wit and clarity.
Not for everybody, though.
If you are interested in the crossover between eastern psychology/religion and western christianity/judaism, read this book.
If you like Heidegger or like making fun of Sartre, read this book.
If you practice Vedanta-oriented ANYTHING, read this book.
If you meditate and don't quite get why it's not 'working', read this book.
If you're really closed minded about all religion and metaphysics, don't bother.
Not for everybody, though.
If you are interested in the crossover between eastern psychology/religion and western christianity/judaism, read this book.
If you like Heidegger or like making fun of Sartre, read this book.
If you practice Vedanta-oriented ANYTHING, read this book.
If you meditate and don't quite get why it's not 'working', read this book.
If you're really closed minded about all religion and metaphysics, don't bother.
August 23, 2019
Came across this gem on page 121 of my version:
"When men have no real use for femininity women forget their arts; they cultivate one another's company to the virtual exclusion of men, and this can only be done safely by those who have fulfilled their life with men and by children. The result is masculinity among women, feminism (a gross misnomer), a tendency to intellectualism, competition with men in business, and that hard-boiled bridge-playing, cocktail-drinking mentality which is only golf, whiskey, and cigars wearing skirts."
...
So, ladies-- do NOT hang out with other women unless you have a man and children. Otherwise, they may corrupt you with FEMINISM, AMBITION, and INTELLECTUALISM.
I mean, is that seriously what this douche bag is saying? I mean, this was published in 1940, so what else was I expecting.
But also, this book is boring. It took me over 4 months to finish, because it was real hard to stay awake during it. Truth be told, I am sure I skipped over so much of this, I normally wouldn't be counting it as having been "read" but I had to share that quote with you all.
"When men have no real use for femininity women forget their arts; they cultivate one another's company to the virtual exclusion of men, and this can only be done safely by those who have fulfilled their life with men and by children. The result is masculinity among women, feminism (a gross misnomer), a tendency to intellectualism, competition with men in business, and that hard-boiled bridge-playing, cocktail-drinking mentality which is only golf, whiskey, and cigars wearing skirts."
...
So, ladies-- do NOT hang out with other women unless you have a man and children. Otherwise, they may corrupt you with FEMINISM, AMBITION, and INTELLECTUALISM.
I mean, is that seriously what this douche bag is saying? I mean, this was published in 1940, so what else was I expecting.
But also, this book is boring. It took me over 4 months to finish, because it was real hard to stay awake during it. Truth be told, I am sure I skipped over so much of this, I normally wouldn't be counting it as having been "read" but I had to share that quote with you all.
August 4, 2019
Okumam süresince iki veya üç vermek konusunda çok gidip geldim. Çok beğendiğim kitapları yutar gibi okuyorum genelde ve bir kitaba 4 veya 5 vermemin kıstaslarından biri bu oluyor. Bu kitabın özelliği ise, -yutar gibi okumadığım hâlde- bana altını çizmek istediğim satırlar hediye etmesiydi. Okuyana yeni bir fikir verebilen bir kitap, hem de belki de insan hayatında en önemli konu olan "insan mutluluğu" hakkında.
March 25, 2021
Happiness is seeing an old Alan Watts book brought back to life! And this one happens to be about happiness. How to be as happy as your dog, or at least as happy as our author, whom we are happy to meet again. As I open the book with anticipation, I realize that back in the day when Mr. Watts was with us and communicating, the advent of "Positive Psychology" was still years away. Today, as I review this idol's view on happiness, we have vast research findings that provide facts about what happiness is and how best to be favored by it. For one, we know that sharing experiences with others provides more long term happiness than having things. We know that folks who find reasons to feel grateful are happier than those who don't. Helping others provides happiness. We could Google for more of the research, but let's get on to getting into Alan Watts.
He wrote this book when he was only 24 years old! It came out in 1940, and was then republished in 1953. It's almost 80 years old. hard to believe. To have the kind of ideas, and ability to express them so well, at such a young age, is certainly remarkable. I can't imagine offering any piece of wisdom to someone of my father's generation without hearing a comeback relativizing my statement and pointing out its weaknesses. Young Mr. Watts has no such concern.
He begins with great confidence, as he is but passing along wisdom from time immemorial, from the oldest of the spiritual literature, of Vedanta. He confesses the truth from the get go, and quite simply. You can't run away from your feet, nor can you run after them. While some may write about how to obtain happiness by changing one's circumstances, he explains, and while others may write about how to obtain happiness by changing oneself, our young mister Watts notes that happiness is not something we obtain by doing anything to obtain it. Rather, happiness arises from knowledge, from the awareness of non-duality, which ends the illusion of a self that needs to find happiness. In other words, if you want to be happy, become enlightened! That puts it simply enough.
One of the themes that Watts rides comes from his integration of Jungian psychology, with its resolution of the opposites, and Eastern philosophy that represents unity via the mandala of the yin/yang symbol. Suffering comes from separation, the opposition of self and world. Happiness comes from acceptance of both the reality and the illusion as partners. In fact, Watts considered this book to be about acceptance, profound acceptance, as the key to happiness. We are more familiar with the idea today, if no more poetic or as handy as Watts to describe the way we ride the paradox.
It is interesting to read what Watts has to say about Christianity, especially in light of current events. He notes that the idea of acceptance is present, but quite hidden, in the doctrines of Christianity. He notes that this religion is based much more on adherence to doctrine while Eastern religions are more concerned with states of mind. If we turn to the Christian mystics, however, the theme of acceptance finds a place. Christianity provides a path for the non-mystic, to contemplate the heart of Jesus and note how it affects one's motivations. Somewhat like the Higher Power in Alcoholics Anonymous and their slogan, "fake it until you make it," acting in a manner similar to Jesus gradually brings about the inner experience of communion with Jesus, and thus God.
The book is fun to read, not just because of Watts' readable style, but also because the positions he takes and the material he discusses, coming from an earlier era, and yet talking about the same things we talk about today, gives these themes an aura of inevitability and timelessness. I'm wondering if his words will have a special impact on today's readers. Reaching near the end of his offering, he quotes Saint Augustine, "Love, and do as you will." In this context, sin is more easily understood as "missing the mark," as Watts describes sin as "bad taste; it is sensationalsim as distinct from sensibility." Here he is introducing a note of the "postmodern" perspective (which I don't think existed as a vocabulary word during Watts' time) on what otherwise gets treated in a very dualistic manner. You don't need to be a fan of Alan Watts to enjoy and benefit from this book.
He wrote this book when he was only 24 years old! It came out in 1940, and was then republished in 1953. It's almost 80 years old. hard to believe. To have the kind of ideas, and ability to express them so well, at such a young age, is certainly remarkable. I can't imagine offering any piece of wisdom to someone of my father's generation without hearing a comeback relativizing my statement and pointing out its weaknesses. Young Mr. Watts has no such concern.
He begins with great confidence, as he is but passing along wisdom from time immemorial, from the oldest of the spiritual literature, of Vedanta. He confesses the truth from the get go, and quite simply. You can't run away from your feet, nor can you run after them. While some may write about how to obtain happiness by changing one's circumstances, he explains, and while others may write about how to obtain happiness by changing oneself, our young mister Watts notes that happiness is not something we obtain by doing anything to obtain it. Rather, happiness arises from knowledge, from the awareness of non-duality, which ends the illusion of a self that needs to find happiness. In other words, if you want to be happy, become enlightened! That puts it simply enough.
One of the themes that Watts rides comes from his integration of Jungian psychology, with its resolution of the opposites, and Eastern philosophy that represents unity via the mandala of the yin/yang symbol. Suffering comes from separation, the opposition of self and world. Happiness comes from acceptance of both the reality and the illusion as partners. In fact, Watts considered this book to be about acceptance, profound acceptance, as the key to happiness. We are more familiar with the idea today, if no more poetic or as handy as Watts to describe the way we ride the paradox.
It is interesting to read what Watts has to say about Christianity, especially in light of current events. He notes that the idea of acceptance is present, but quite hidden, in the doctrines of Christianity. He notes that this religion is based much more on adherence to doctrine while Eastern religions are more concerned with states of mind. If we turn to the Christian mystics, however, the theme of acceptance finds a place. Christianity provides a path for the non-mystic, to contemplate the heart of Jesus and note how it affects one's motivations. Somewhat like the Higher Power in Alcoholics Anonymous and their slogan, "fake it until you make it," acting in a manner similar to Jesus gradually brings about the inner experience of communion with Jesus, and thus God.
The book is fun to read, not just because of Watts' readable style, but also because the positions he takes and the material he discusses, coming from an earlier era, and yet talking about the same things we talk about today, gives these themes an aura of inevitability and timelessness. I'm wondering if his words will have a special impact on today's readers. Reaching near the end of his offering, he quotes Saint Augustine, "Love, and do as you will." In this context, sin is more easily understood as "missing the mark," as Watts describes sin as "bad taste; it is sensationalsim as distinct from sensibility." Here he is introducing a note of the "postmodern" perspective (which I don't think existed as a vocabulary word during Watts' time) on what otherwise gets treated in a very dualistic manner. You don't need to be a fan of Alan Watts to enjoy and benefit from this book.
November 2, 2020
This book talks about human happiness from the perspective of Christianity, psychology, and eastern philosophy. In linking all three, Alan Watts explains how non-dualism, true acceptance, and freedom in the present moment can lead a person to a happier life.
I've listened to a couple lectures from Alan Watts but this is the first book of his I've read. Even though it's a short book, barely 200 pages, it felt like a long read. Although there were plenty of insightful ideas and comments, the writing was often dry. I did appreciate the few moments of poetic prose and beautiful imagery, but overall it definitely did feel like an academic text - no harm in that, just a little less engaging.
Between ideas I've encountered in other works and my own thinking about these topics, this book offered little that was new to me. However, it was still an insightful read with plenty of understandable and practical explanations of things that are often hard to describe. So I appreciate that. I did learn a little bit more about the foundations of Buddhism and Taoism and of some of the fundamental texts, and gained a few new metaphors to frame my thinking about these ideas. I'm sure if I had read this a few years ago, or even earlier this year before reading other similar books, it would have had a much more profound impact on me. So I'd recommend to anyone interested in...The Quest for Freedom of the Spirit in Modern Psychology and the Wisdom of the East.
I've listened to a couple lectures from Alan Watts but this is the first book of his I've read. Even though it's a short book, barely 200 pages, it felt like a long read. Although there were plenty of insightful ideas and comments, the writing was often dry. I did appreciate the few moments of poetic prose and beautiful imagery, but overall it definitely did feel like an academic text - no harm in that, just a little less engaging.
Between ideas I've encountered in other works and my own thinking about these topics, this book offered little that was new to me. However, it was still an insightful read with plenty of understandable and practical explanations of things that are often hard to describe. So I appreciate that. I did learn a little bit more about the foundations of Buddhism and Taoism and of some of the fundamental texts, and gained a few new metaphors to frame my thinking about these ideas. I'm sure if I had read this a few years ago, or even earlier this year before reading other similar books, it would have had a much more profound impact on me. So I'd recommend to anyone interested in...The Quest for Freedom of the Spirit in Modern Psychology and the Wisdom of the East.
May 2, 2020
This is is a book I have many, sometimes complicated thoughts about. On one hand, I agree with the core thesis - that you essentially have to accept the hand that life deals you in order to truly be free and happy, both the good and the bad - but I take a little issue with the religious aspect of it. I'm not a religious person, but I'm not against religion either, but the issue I take is the presumption that belief in God and acceptance of God in all things leads to a kind of spiritual fulfillment or happiness. I don't know. I think Watts is an oft-brilliant thinker but sometimes caught up in too much of the metaphysical. The book also has some nasty points about gender roles in some of the middle chapters. Generally, the main conceit of the book is great, and I'd agree with it. It has informed my conception of what happiness is for me.
August 19, 2022
Some really good points in here!
Some favourite quotes:
“But when we become conscious of the limitations of the ego and understand its relation to the unconscious, then there is some chance of true mental health.”
“They say that if the ego can be made to look into itself, it will see that its own true nature is deeper than itself, that it derives its faculties and its consciousness from a source beyond individual personality.”
“It is said that a paradox is only a truth standing on its head to attract attention.”
“In the psychological realm this swimming against the current is called repression, the reaction of proud, conscious reason to the fears and desires of nature in man.”
“In trying actively to accept life we find that this is successful only in regard to particular things; we reconcile ourselves to the dark side of life only to find that we are not reconciled to our desire to escape from it, and this desire in itself is an aspect of that dark side. By this method something is always left out of the whole, with the result that our acceptance and therefore our happiness is still dependent on particular things, and we are just as far from including the whole as ever.”
… and many more. :)
Some favourite quotes:
“But when we become conscious of the limitations of the ego and understand its relation to the unconscious, then there is some chance of true mental health.”
“They say that if the ego can be made to look into itself, it will see that its own true nature is deeper than itself, that it derives its faculties and its consciousness from a source beyond individual personality.”
“It is said that a paradox is only a truth standing on its head to attract attention.”
“In the psychological realm this swimming against the current is called repression, the reaction of proud, conscious reason to the fears and desires of nature in man.”
“In trying actively to accept life we find that this is successful only in regard to particular things; we reconcile ourselves to the dark side of life only to find that we are not reconciled to our desire to escape from it, and this desire in itself is an aspect of that dark side. By this method something is always left out of the whole, with the result that our acceptance and therefore our happiness is still dependent on particular things, and we are just as far from including the whole as ever.”
… and many more. :)
June 17, 2019
benim okuduğum versiyonu bu değil, benimki butik yayıncılıktan çıkan versiyonu, çevirmeni pınar savaş. daha önce de butik yayıncılıktan birkaç kitap okuma bahtsızlığı yaşayan biri olarak bu kitabın katbekat iyi hazırlandığını, çevirisinin anlaşılır olduğunu hatta çevirmen notlarının tadında ve yerinde olduğunu söyleyebilirim. kitap bu kalpsiz ve modern dünyada hâlâ hikmet (gnosis?), spiritüel şeyler arama derdinde olan bizim gibi okuyuculara sesleniyor ve mutluluğun asıl sırrının hayatı olduğu gibi kabul etmekte olduğunu söylüyor(sonlara doğru hayatı kabul etmekle kadercilik arasında yaptığı ayrım bilgilendirici). kitap mutluluğun anlamından çok hayatın anlamı üzerinde duruyor aslında. bunu yaparken de batıyla doğuyu, psikolojiyle spirtüelliği -daha çok taoizm, budizm gibi inançları- mukayese ederek yapıyor bunu. batının nefesinin kesildiği yerde doğu yetişiyor aslında anlam arayan insanın imdadına. tabii doğu batı derken jung devreye giriyor, olaylar gelişiyor.
dediğim gibi hâlâ hayatın anlamını, hikmeti, spiritüel olanı arayanlar için kesinlikle okunması gereken bir başucu kitabı.
dediğim gibi hâlâ hayatın anlamını, hikmeti, spiritüel olanı arayanlar için kesinlikle okunması gereken bir başucu kitabı.
January 24, 2018
Took way too long plodding and toiling through this one. The language is dated and some of the mysticism feels a little bit “in the rough” compared to some of the more modern stuff on the subject. But as it applies to happiness, there are many ways to find it and this book puts many of the facets of it into beautifully formed folders, each with its own angle on self, on universality and perspective. There’s an overwhelming sense that throughout this book, Watts wants us all to find peace and he wants to relate that peace to us in as many languages as possible. He’s rooting for us. He wants us to find it.
Not an ‘easy read’ by any means, but certainly a kind one, a book that can gain your attention in spurts of minimalized and focused language. This doesn’t make happiness feel like a labor or a quest to prove your worth. In fact it simply helps to illustrate what lines we’re trying to color in, if any were to exist at all.
Not an ‘easy read’ by any means, but certainly a kind one, a book that can gain your attention in spurts of minimalized and focused language. This doesn’t make happiness feel like a labor or a quest to prove your worth. In fact it simply helps to illustrate what lines we’re trying to color in, if any were to exist at all.
April 11, 2021
This is a book to reread every now and then. What blows my mind is that this was written by a 24 yo Alan Watts. I’m definitely going to read this again later on. I love the contrasts among different perspectives, the wit, the humility and simplicity in this book
January 3, 2020
It's a great book, but I almost put it down when he started in on "sissy boys" and females who try to be men. I just skipped it and tried to keep in mind it was the 40s.
September 17, 2024
AN ‘INSPIRATIONAL’ BOOK WRITTEN WHEN HE WAS 24 YEARS OLD,
Alan Wilson Watts (1915-1973) was a British-born philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as a popularizer of Eastern philosophy. He and his then-wife left England for America in 1938 on the eve of WWII, and he became an Episcopal priest---but he left the priesthood in 1950 and moved to California, where he became a cult figure in the Beat movement of the 1950s and later. He wrote many popular books, such as 'The Spirit of Zen,' 'Easter: Its Story and Meaning,' 'Behold the Spirit,' 'The Wisdom of Insecurity,' 'Myth and Ritual In Christianity,' 'The Way of Zen,' 'Nature, Man and Woman,' 'Psychotherapy East & West,' 'The Two Hands of God,' and his autobiography, 'In My Own Way.'
This book was first published in 1940. He wrote in the Preface to the second edition, "This book first appeared in the spring of 1940, at the very moment when the Second World War broke loose in all its violence. Despite the fact that ... its title gave it the outward appearance of a type of 'inspirational literature' far removed from its inner content... I have received repeated requests for its republication. I have hesitated to comply with this demand because in so many ways my ideas have gone far beyond the philosophy of a book written when I was only twenty-four years old... [But] the essential theme of this book is, for me, as valid and as important as ever... The point on which I have insisted in many different ways is, in brief, that this special and supreme order of happiness is not a result to be attained through action, but a fact to be realized through knowledge. The sphere of action is to express it, not to gain it." (Pg. iii-iv)
He wrote, "The result of these two feelings is that you no longer distinguish between what you do in life and what life does to you; it is as if two dancers moved in such perfect accord that the distinction between lead and response vanished... And this is real freedom; it includes both freedom to move and to be moved; action and passivity are merged, and in spirituality as well as in marriage this is the fulfillment of love." (Pg. 47)
He observes, "Christian psychology makes an interesting distinction between the man himself and the evil in him.... the immortal soul is to be loved. But... the evil in him is to be fought... Yet it is questionable whether Jesus had just that idea in mind... It is likely that he told men to love their enemies not only because their enemies were human, but also because love is the only wise reaction to evil of any kind, whether human, natural, or demonic." (Pg. 58)
After quoting St. Francis' Canticle to the Sun, he says, "This hymn of happiness ... includes not only sun and moon, fire and water, life and death; it includes also God, and those who find God are happy because they share in the ecstasy of creation. They, too, know the answer to that eternal question of philosophy, 'WHY does the universe exist?' They know that it exists for an almost childlike reason---for play..." (Pg. 123)
He argues, "But when it is suggested that we should find union with God here and now... everyone is outraged and begins to make excuses... But this is surely a peculiar form of blindness... We see God every time we open our eyes; we inhale Him at every breath; we use His strength in every movement of a finger; we think Him in every thought, although we man not think OF Him, and we taste Him in every bite of food." (Pg. 133)
He suggests, "God imparts His life and strength to all creatures, trusting them to use it as they will, because God is the principle of faith and love. When man can have that same faith and love for all the creatures of his mind, which are the states of his mind from moment to moment, then he becomes one with God." (Pg. 187)
He says, "We remember the words of St. Augustine, 'Love, and do as you will,' for in love, as in acceptance, man denies no aspect of his nature. He realizes that life or God has given him freedom to be everything and anything that is in him, whether good or evil.... For the free man is so filled with gratitude to life for the freedom to be all of himself that he joyfully renounces it. This is where true freedom guards itself against abuse... In a universe where freedom of the spirit offers such gigantic possibilities, sin is a simple waste of time." (Pg. 195)
Fans of Watts' later, more Eastern-influenced works may not care for this one, but (his disclaimed notwithstanding) it is a fine example of a type of religious "inspirational" literature, and his writing remains clear and illuminating throughout.
Alan Wilson Watts (1915-1973) was a British-born philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as a popularizer of Eastern philosophy. He and his then-wife left England for America in 1938 on the eve of WWII, and he became an Episcopal priest---but he left the priesthood in 1950 and moved to California, where he became a cult figure in the Beat movement of the 1950s and later. He wrote many popular books, such as 'The Spirit of Zen,' 'Easter: Its Story and Meaning,' 'Behold the Spirit,' 'The Wisdom of Insecurity,' 'Myth and Ritual In Christianity,' 'The Way of Zen,' 'Nature, Man and Woman,' 'Psychotherapy East & West,' 'The Two Hands of God,' and his autobiography, 'In My Own Way.'
This book was first published in 1940. He wrote in the Preface to the second edition, "This book first appeared in the spring of 1940, at the very moment when the Second World War broke loose in all its violence. Despite the fact that ... its title gave it the outward appearance of a type of 'inspirational literature' far removed from its inner content... I have received repeated requests for its republication. I have hesitated to comply with this demand because in so many ways my ideas have gone far beyond the philosophy of a book written when I was only twenty-four years old... [But] the essential theme of this book is, for me, as valid and as important as ever... The point on which I have insisted in many different ways is, in brief, that this special and supreme order of happiness is not a result to be attained through action, but a fact to be realized through knowledge. The sphere of action is to express it, not to gain it." (Pg. iii-iv)
He wrote, "The result of these two feelings is that you no longer distinguish between what you do in life and what life does to you; it is as if two dancers moved in such perfect accord that the distinction between lead and response vanished... And this is real freedom; it includes both freedom to move and to be moved; action and passivity are merged, and in spirituality as well as in marriage this is the fulfillment of love." (Pg. 47)
He observes, "Christian psychology makes an interesting distinction between the man himself and the evil in him.... the immortal soul is to be loved. But... the evil in him is to be fought... Yet it is questionable whether Jesus had just that idea in mind... It is likely that he told men to love their enemies not only because their enemies were human, but also because love is the only wise reaction to evil of any kind, whether human, natural, or demonic." (Pg. 58)
After quoting St. Francis' Canticle to the Sun, he says, "This hymn of happiness ... includes not only sun and moon, fire and water, life and death; it includes also God, and those who find God are happy because they share in the ecstasy of creation. They, too, know the answer to that eternal question of philosophy, 'WHY does the universe exist?' They know that it exists for an almost childlike reason---for play..." (Pg. 123)
He argues, "But when it is suggested that we should find union with God here and now... everyone is outraged and begins to make excuses... But this is surely a peculiar form of blindness... We see God every time we open our eyes; we inhale Him at every breath; we use His strength in every movement of a finger; we think Him in every thought, although we man not think OF Him, and we taste Him in every bite of food." (Pg. 133)
He suggests, "God imparts His life and strength to all creatures, trusting them to use it as they will, because God is the principle of faith and love. When man can have that same faith and love for all the creatures of his mind, which are the states of his mind from moment to moment, then he becomes one with God." (Pg. 187)
He says, "We remember the words of St. Augustine, 'Love, and do as you will,' for in love, as in acceptance, man denies no aspect of his nature. He realizes that life or God has given him freedom to be everything and anything that is in him, whether good or evil.... For the free man is so filled with gratitude to life for the freedom to be all of himself that he joyfully renounces it. This is where true freedom guards itself against abuse... In a universe where freedom of the spirit offers such gigantic possibilities, sin is a simple waste of time." (Pg. 195)
Fans of Watts' later, more Eastern-influenced works may not care for this one, but (his disclaimed notwithstanding) it is a fine example of a type of religious "inspirational" literature, and his writing remains clear and illuminating throughout.
October 12, 2022
While insightful the presentation of some of the concepts and the jumps from one perspective to another felt a tad bit rigid and forced. The few he included were pretty good, but there is a lack of metaphors, analogies, and examples which was unaccommodating for someone stranger to the themes. Would recheck once I've read more about the topics discussed in it.
January 25, 2024
Some interesting paradoxes and a quirky summary of Eastern religions but structurally a bit of a mess? A little confused by his project
December 11, 2024
Happiness, Alan Watts whispers, is not a treasure to seek, but the dance of the seeker letting go. Like clouds and rivers, it flows ungrasped, wise, simple, free. Reading this, I kept on smiling without reason. 😊
May 14, 2020
This is the third book by Watts that i have read, and probably the last. I am a huge fan of his "The Wisdom of Insecurity", but i couldn't say the same for "The Taboo Against Being Who You Really Are" and this book.
Perhaps i found this book to be underwhelming because i'm already familiar with the key concepts that Watts discusses throughout, and with that said, he does do it in a rather basic, introductory way. His writing is poetic and generally easy going, and so there is no fault there. Nevertheless, this book is at times off topic (from happiness) in the sense that he writes about various religions quite extensively, with me wondering what relevance it actually has on the "Meaning of Happiness". He does address the title of the book, but there was a lot of unnecessary jargon which i had to skim through to get some of the good stuff.
All in all, Watts is an interesting speaker and writer who is an excellent introductory teacher of Philosophy and its ties to Religion, but his books for me so far have been rather basic. I will grant him the fact that he wrote these books in and around the 60's, and so much of what he wrote at the time would have been considerably more "new" than they are now. An interesting book, like his others, but ultimately convoluted with unnecessary mystical jargon and word salads. I also take issue with his use of the word "God", as it is rather confusing. Is it necessary to call the universe "God", and not simply the "universe"? He is often making things much more complicated than they need to be.
Perhaps i found this book to be underwhelming because i'm already familiar with the key concepts that Watts discusses throughout, and with that said, he does do it in a rather basic, introductory way. His writing is poetic and generally easy going, and so there is no fault there. Nevertheless, this book is at times off topic (from happiness) in the sense that he writes about various religions quite extensively, with me wondering what relevance it actually has on the "Meaning of Happiness". He does address the title of the book, but there was a lot of unnecessary jargon which i had to skim through to get some of the good stuff.
All in all, Watts is an interesting speaker and writer who is an excellent introductory teacher of Philosophy and its ties to Religion, but his books for me so far have been rather basic. I will grant him the fact that he wrote these books in and around the 60's, and so much of what he wrote at the time would have been considerably more "new" than they are now. An interesting book, like his others, but ultimately convoluted with unnecessary mystical jargon and word salads. I also take issue with his use of the word "God", as it is rather confusing. Is it necessary to call the universe "God", and not simply the "universe"? He is often making things much more complicated than they need to be.
February 8, 2020
I nice trip through different aspects that make up happiness in mankind.
Wonderful rhythm, touch and subject matter.
I especially loved the analogy with music: the rules of music have been made up by the preference of the artists, not the other way around. Once the taste progressess, so will the rules. Also: listening to a symphony, one doesn't want to hear the best part over and over again, but understands the piece as a whole.
Now that is beautiful.
I love Alan Watts, but something is lost in his books. He is magic in his lectures – maybe the charisma is in there.
Or maybe I just want self-help, not an academic study of happiness. Nothing wrong with it though.
Wonderful rhythm, touch and subject matter.
I especially loved the analogy with music: the rules of music have been made up by the preference of the artists, not the other way around. Once the taste progressess, so will the rules. Also: listening to a symphony, one doesn't want to hear the best part over and over again, but understands the piece as a whole.
Now that is beautiful.
I love Alan Watts, but something is lost in his books. He is magic in his lectures – maybe the charisma is in there.
Or maybe I just want self-help, not an academic study of happiness. Nothing wrong with it though.
January 9, 2021
When you look for it, you don't find it hahaha
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2021
Drier than a bag of stale pretzels.
September 18, 2021
When I was in my 20s, I read a lot of Alan Watts. There was a little used bookstore near my house and the guy always had a bunch of Alan Watts books on a separate shelf. I'd wander in from time to time, pick up a couple. Always (almost always, anyway) enjoyed them. At that point, much of what Watts wrote was still fresh and new to me, was a world I was eagerly trying to discover, perhaps in somewhat the same way these topics were new to the general American public when he was writing about them in the 40s, 50s, 60s.
In my early 30s I read "Psychotherapy East and West." That was probably the last thing I read by him (perhaps I'm forgetting something since?). It was also probably the best thing I'd read, had more of a long-lasting impact than some of his other works. That was maybe 15 years ago.
I saw a new edition of this one in the bookstore a while back, was initially excited, put it on a shelf, forgot it, finally got around to picking it up this past week.
I have mixed feelings on this book.
It was one of the first he wrote. Much of the subject matter is similar to "Psychotherapy East and West," which I think was better over all (or at least more of what I needed at the time I read it). This being one of his earlier books, it's a little less developed. I mean, the writing is good. But he's writing about deep wisdom at the age of 24. Limitations are built in.
The book is also a product of its time. Maybe a bit ahead of its time, maybe deeper than some of the stuff being written at the time, but still, it is clearly something created in the 1940s. What we would call "sexism" makes appearances all throughout. It would be a deal breaker for me if this book was written in 2020 or even 1990. You sort of have to shake your head, sigh, and move on, knowing that had Watts been born in 1973 instead of dying in 1973, he might have had more "acceptable" ideas in this area. Ditto with some racial stereotyping. Watts is clearly a fan of the East and the religion, culture, people of Asia. But "the East" was just coming to America in many ways when he wrote. This was new and exciting and "other" and he falls into the trap of generalizations, uses words like "primitive" in uncomfortable ways, and so on. On top of that, some of his understanding of Buddhism is a little underdeveloped here. I would assume his understanding of Hindu thought is equally underdeveloped, but I have no great experience there and can't judge it. His Buddhism, though, is "young" if you will.
All that said, the core of this book, the central message, is wonderful. It's a book about happiness, but could equally said to be a book about freedom. Happiness and freedom are good things, and here he shoots for the Real Thing, not the pseudo-happiness or pseudo-freedom that we too often idolize, set as our own goals. The key is acceptance, a sort of not clinging to outcomes, a sort of coming to terms with our selves, our world, our situations. Not passivity, but a deeper wisdom and love of life as it is.
In my early 30s I read "Psychotherapy East and West." That was probably the last thing I read by him (perhaps I'm forgetting something since?). It was also probably the best thing I'd read, had more of a long-lasting impact than some of his other works. That was maybe 15 years ago.
I saw a new edition of this one in the bookstore a while back, was initially excited, put it on a shelf, forgot it, finally got around to picking it up this past week.
I have mixed feelings on this book.
It was one of the first he wrote. Much of the subject matter is similar to "Psychotherapy East and West," which I think was better over all (or at least more of what I needed at the time I read it). This being one of his earlier books, it's a little less developed. I mean, the writing is good. But he's writing about deep wisdom at the age of 24. Limitations are built in.
The book is also a product of its time. Maybe a bit ahead of its time, maybe deeper than some of the stuff being written at the time, but still, it is clearly something created in the 1940s. What we would call "sexism" makes appearances all throughout. It would be a deal breaker for me if this book was written in 2020 or even 1990. You sort of have to shake your head, sigh, and move on, knowing that had Watts been born in 1973 instead of dying in 1973, he might have had more "acceptable" ideas in this area. Ditto with some racial stereotyping. Watts is clearly a fan of the East and the religion, culture, people of Asia. But "the East" was just coming to America in many ways when he wrote. This was new and exciting and "other" and he falls into the trap of generalizations, uses words like "primitive" in uncomfortable ways, and so on. On top of that, some of his understanding of Buddhism is a little underdeveloped here. I would assume his understanding of Hindu thought is equally underdeveloped, but I have no great experience there and can't judge it. His Buddhism, though, is "young" if you will.
All that said, the core of this book, the central message, is wonderful. It's a book about happiness, but could equally said to be a book about freedom. Happiness and freedom are good things, and here he shoots for the Real Thing, not the pseudo-happiness or pseudo-freedom that we too often idolize, set as our own goals. The key is acceptance, a sort of not clinging to outcomes, a sort of coming to terms with our selves, our world, our situations. Not passivity, but a deeper wisdom and love of life as it is.
January 16, 2019
Watts's book is not easy to read. There were parts of the book that I either skimmed or passed over because I could not easily understand what he was trying to say. However there are gems of wisdom and perspective – – some of which I have listed below that can be unearthed within this book. This is a book I may try to read again later when I can quiet my mind and focus on what the author is trying to say. Not an easy read…
"Man does not like to admit to himself that he is afraid, for this weakens his self-esteem and shakes his faith and the security of this ego. To accept fear would be like accepting that, so he runs from it, and this is the great unhappiness."
"Only those who have sinned can understand and appreciate the bliss of redemption."
"But there is something in man which makes it exceedingly hard for him to avoid the pursuit of earthly pleasures, and this tendency religion attempts to vanquish by a strongly hostile attitude to them. Hence the general antipathy in religion to all that pertains to the senses, and especially to the most elementary and important of earthly pleasures which are to be found in the sexual functions."
"Religious people seldom understand the true function of religion and still waste thought and energy in a war with science based on wholly false premises.
"God is loved not because he is given us this world, but because he is said to have promised a much better world in the life after death. His gift to us of this world is therefore declined without thanks – – an effrontery which is often by describing this world as a place of trial for fitness to enter the world to come, on the principle that if you refuse God's first gift, you will get His second.'
" Those who look pitiful and hideous in their old age are only so because years rankle them, because they have not accepted the rhythm of their life and go forward to old age with regretful glances behind at lost glories."
"it is argued that the highest spirituality is simply a matter of accepting life as it is, and if this is something which we already have but do not realize, then its attainment will make no difference whatever to our lives."
"Man does not like to admit to himself that he is afraid, for this weakens his self-esteem and shakes his faith and the security of this ego. To accept fear would be like accepting that, so he runs from it, and this is the great unhappiness."
"Only those who have sinned can understand and appreciate the bliss of redemption."
"But there is something in man which makes it exceedingly hard for him to avoid the pursuit of earthly pleasures, and this tendency religion attempts to vanquish by a strongly hostile attitude to them. Hence the general antipathy in religion to all that pertains to the senses, and especially to the most elementary and important of earthly pleasures which are to be found in the sexual functions."
"Religious people seldom understand the true function of religion and still waste thought and energy in a war with science based on wholly false premises.
"God is loved not because he is given us this world, but because he is said to have promised a much better world in the life after death. His gift to us of this world is therefore declined without thanks – – an effrontery which is often by describing this world as a place of trial for fitness to enter the world to come, on the principle that if you refuse God's first gift, you will get His second.'
" Those who look pitiful and hideous in their old age are only so because years rankle them, because they have not accepted the rhythm of their life and go forward to old age with regretful glances behind at lost glories."
"it is argued that the highest spirituality is simply a matter of accepting life as it is, and if this is something which we already have but do not realize, then its attainment will make no difference whatever to our lives."
February 23, 2019
Once you have Allan Watts in your hands, you know you are in for some real stuff...and you might want to read it slowly, giving time and space for the message to sink in...not rushing!
The many topics that he approaches to bring you the understanding of the meaning of happiness is mind blowing and it only encourages you to dig in deep into the reading...cause no matter how many books you read if there is no direct perception/understand then it is ego fooling itself!
Watts not only give so many insights into the "way of happiness" but he also draws a line in between the East and West religions and how the latest taught us to fight the dark side of living whereas the East teaches acceptance for understanding.
In the "regression of the gods" section the line of thoughts on the "false masculinity" make it clear why we are so out of tune in terms of society - "to be a man truly, he must recognise the female element existing in himself, because he cannot be a man unless he can offer to his woman that what she needs."
Watts is one of the some that shed light into the darkness that I resided for a long time.
The many topics that he approaches to bring you the understanding of the meaning of happiness is mind blowing and it only encourages you to dig in deep into the reading...cause no matter how many books you read if there is no direct perception/understand then it is ego fooling itself!
Watts not only give so many insights into the "way of happiness" but he also draws a line in between the East and West religions and how the latest taught us to fight the dark side of living whereas the East teaches acceptance for understanding.
In the "regression of the gods" section the line of thoughts on the "false masculinity" make it clear why we are so out of tune in terms of society - "to be a man truly, he must recognise the female element existing in himself, because he cannot be a man unless he can offer to his woman that what she needs."
Watts is one of the some that shed light into the darkness that I resided for a long time.
November 3, 2021
A precocious 24 year old philosopher fuses the east with west and finds acceptance of all things around us and going with the flow is the key to happiness.
Even a fool allowing himself to be foolish will be happier than one fighting against himself. A waterfall may carry you away but submitting to it will give you a better chance of survival.
Experience all emotions, darkness, pain. joy as it's all part of the learning process. Don't shut yourself off and you'll find your path through .
Watts wisely points out that even carrying these ideas through one's life a man must pass the age of 40 to benefit and a western man must attempt to break from his constraining christian teachings to appreciate the eastern philosophies.
An early and interesting attempt published in 1940 to bring the east to the west for a new way to find happiness.
Even a fool allowing himself to be foolish will be happier than one fighting against himself. A waterfall may carry you away but submitting to it will give you a better chance of survival.
Experience all emotions, darkness, pain. joy as it's all part of the learning process. Don't shut yourself off and you'll find your path through .
Watts wisely points out that even carrying these ideas through one's life a man must pass the age of 40 to benefit and a western man must attempt to break from his constraining christian teachings to appreciate the eastern philosophies.
An early and interesting attempt published in 1940 to bring the east to the west for a new way to find happiness.
December 2, 2021
Alan Watts, modern psikoloji ve doğu öğretilerini sentezlemeye çalışan önemli düşünürlerden birisidir. İnsanın yaşamı anlayabilme uğraşı var oluşunu oldukça meşgul etmekte ve aslında göz önünde olan kendimizi kendimize dönüştürme sanıldığından daha zor gerçekleşiyor. Ama özgürlüğü istiyorsak bu aşamaları kat etmeliyiz. Bireyleşme çarkının dönüşüne ayak uydurmak bile başlı başına uzun bir süreç, Watts bile bu sürecin ortasına ancak orta yaşlarda ulaşabileceğimizi söylüyor. Yine de onun söylediklerine kulak verdiğimizde, akıl, sezgi, duygu ve ve duyu dörtlüsünün bilinç ve bilinçdışı dünyadaki hareketlerini izlememiz gerekiyor. Ve son sayfalarda bize aktardığı gibi: L'amour che move. / Hareket ettiren sevgiyle...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2023
Interesting read that gives you new things to know and think about as well as reflect on yourself. The latter part was less so because the writing is too theoretical and abstract, but the experienced reader and reflective thinker will find valuable cues to check him/herself.
Key words I remember this book by: total acceptance, wholeness, holiness, nonduality, freedom, gratitude. And other words like Nirvana, maya, Vedanta, Tao and Zen.
It’s also a useful book to refer back to understand some of these concepts.
Definitely want to re-read the book to better capture, as I experienced with re-reading many of its pages for better understanding.
Key words I remember this book by: total acceptance, wholeness, holiness, nonduality, freedom, gratitude. And other words like Nirvana, maya, Vedanta, Tao and Zen.
It’s also a useful book to refer back to understand some of these concepts.
Definitely want to re-read the book to better capture, as I experienced with re-reading many of its pages for better understanding.
July 27, 2022
Batı ve doğu felsefesi anlayış farklarını ele alarak başlıyor kitap. Mutluluk aranmaz, vardır yada kadersel olarak yoktur diyor. İnsanın kendi ruhunu ayna gibi görebilmesi için saf bir niyetle kibirden uzaklaşmak gerekiyor.
*"Tıpkı şu gibi en alçak ve insanın hor gördüğü yerde arayın. Uzaklaşmak, üstesinden gelmek ve aşmak, değiştirmek ve kaçmak için sürekli çaba gösterdiğimiz şey en arzu ettiğimiz sırrı barındırır."
*"Tıpkı şu gibi en alçak ve insanın hor gördüğü yerde arayın. Uzaklaşmak, üstesinden gelmek ve aşmak, değiştirmek ve kaçmak için sürekli çaba gösterdiğimiz şey en arzu ettiğimiz sırrı barındırır."
December 31, 2025
Didn't quite hook me like some of Alan's other books. Took me over a year to get through this one, few pages here and there. Maybe I've just read too many of his other books or listened to too many lectures where nothing struck me as overly unique.
Plus, a few more paragraphs here and there wouldn't have hurt!
But if you like Alan, you can't go wrong trying to discover the meaning of happiness.
Plus, a few more paragraphs here and there wouldn't have hurt!
But if you like Alan, you can't go wrong trying to discover the meaning of happiness.
January 22, 2021
(Gelukkiger dan je denkt in NL) De zoektocht naar geluk wordt afgewogen tussen westerse (christelijke) en oosterse psychologie en filosofie. Verrijkend om religie en spiritualiteit vanuit een ander standpunt te bekijken. Hoewel de insteek voor mij dus uit een eerder onbekende hoek komt, kon ik de algemene lijnen toch wel appreciëren.
June 16, 2023
I feared it would be self-helpish, but that is not the case.
It's a fantastic breakdown of different religious perspectives on happiness, and any "meaning" of life.
I love Alan watts' writing, and this is no exception. It is a bit more rough, and his younger age shows. It is also an interesting time piece, as it is written in 1944, an interesting era in western civilization.
It's a fantastic breakdown of different religious perspectives on happiness, and any "meaning" of life.
I love Alan watts' writing, and this is no exception. It is a bit more rough, and his younger age shows. It is also an interesting time piece, as it is written in 1944, an interesting era in western civilization.
November 9, 2023
For someone that appears to be as pluralistic as Watts was he sure has a grasp on Biblical Christianity. One can hope that in the end he was led to true faith. Watts was a brilliant communicator. He sees through a lot of false ideas and encourages the reader to accept what they have been given and stop striving to find the happiness that has already been given to him.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
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