Zen and the Beat Way

by Alan W. Watts

Through his popular radio series "Way Beyond the West" Alan Watts brought listeners a delightful and practical side of Zen, which he prescribed as "a cure for education and culture." By the early sixties his radio programs were renowned for their synthesis of Eastern wisdom and everyday life. Several of these radio talks have been selected and edited by Mark Watts, Alan's oldest son, to introduce a new generation to Zen and the Beat Way. Through this collection we see influences of D.T. Suzuki, C.G. Jung, Gary Snyder and others. Specific chapters discuss Zen influences on traditional Japanese and Chinese arts and explores the celebrated concept of the "controlled accident" within the rich tradition of Zen aesthetics. Also included is "Return to the Forest, " an essay that explores the works of Joseph Campbell on the earliest Beat traditions.

Genres: Philosophy, Buddhism, Zen, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Psychology

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

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

[Karolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In the same way, when solid citizens get angry when confronted by people simply doing what they want to do-or maybe just putting on an act, just playing a role because it is de rigeur-doesn't it mean that in our heart of hearts we feel that these people constitute a threat? Doesn't it mean we feel the Beats are suggesting that the way of life we solid citizens are pursuing is not worth it, that there's something wrong with it?"

"Wouldn't it be great if we could live absolutely on the spur of the moment? To never make any particular plans unless we made them spontaneously; to never worry about whether we had made the right decision; to never wonder if we'd been selfish or unselfish; to never hesitate."

"We have been taught that the going-away of life is against life, but as a matter of fact, life is entirely something that always goes away. Going away-dissolving-is the same thing as living. But if we are taught that dying is against life, then we can't live. Dying is the same thing as living."

"Everything disappears into nothing at all, but out of the same nothing at all come all the new things, forever and ever."

[Timothy Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We have been taught wrong associations. We have been taught that the going away of life is against life, but as a matter of fact, life is entirely something that goes away. Going away - dissolving - is the same thing as living. But if we are taught that dying is against life, then we can't live. Dying is the same thing as living. Everything becomes bones; everything turns back into the soil, becomes fertilizer. That is life. A loved one must be allowed to dissolve and not be clung to. So this is why the seam of transience and dissolution is really one of the mainstays of poetic beauty. And the poet is a genius, and a compassionate Bodhisattva to us all, when he takes the thing we dread - that is to dissolve - and shows us that such dissolution is the heart of beauty and the heart of life."

[Shaul Solomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Uncle Alan!
A great introduction to Beat culture and how Zen can influence and inspire a generation of Western artists.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Alan Watts. It’s a trip that even though I’ve read much of his writing and listened to hours of him talking, there’s always some surprising new nugget of wisdom so appropriate to my current moods.

But his words in this book would’ve been better represented with images, especially when he refers to something he’s showing the audience. There are too many punctuation mistakes, as well as chapters that start abruptly and without context (the penultimate one started with “So, then…”).

[Dewey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last chapter is a 5 star chapter. Whole book is well worth the read. Watts was going deep in the “mindfulness” world long before it was fashionable.

The books has enough “holy shit moments” that it warrants a read. His last chapter exploring Zen in the context of Joseph Campbell was everything it should be.

[Danielle Vagabond · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS BOOK. MIXES SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.... THE BEAT GENERATION AND ZEN BUDDHISM.

[Michael Bagnoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

These selected sections from Watts’ radio talks were good, but not as explicitly related to the Beats as I expected. I think his book The Way of Zen, which I had the pleasure of reading with Dr. Legaspi in his Bruce Lee class, is more insightful and poignant, probably because it was written to be read rather than heard over the radio. Still, there is plenty to be learned by Watts in this book, and he has successfully revived my interest in Zen and Buddhism. Importantly, Watts reminds, we cannot learn the way of Zen from anyone but ourselves, and in only this way “a person becomes, in the truest sense of the word, a self - an original, authoritative source of life - as distinct from being simply a person in the original sense of persona: a mask, a role to be played in society.”

“None but ourselves can free our mind.” - Bob Marley

[Erik Akre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that Alan Watts is my very favorite interpreter of Zen Buddhism. He brings it across in a very cool way: cool in the coolest sense of the word. Cool like Kerouac... It's a great companion to Dharma Bums, for example.

It's comprehensible and honest and humorous, enjoyable and funny in a Watts-way, and it gives a really accurate impression: It's "on the level." His writing style is fully engaging, the opposite of uptight to be sure, and I appreciate it. A fun and worthwhile read, as are all of Watts' books that I have found.

If you want to "get" Zen in a way that feels right, this is a perfect book to pick up.

[Dewayne Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a chapter in this book about the archer and his master where the archer learns from the surprise attack from the master. I read this on a Kindle e-book and this reprint from the audio versions was filled with hundreds of misspellings, a surprise every other page. My experience with Watts goes back to my first FM radio and listening to him on KPFK when I lived in Santa Monica, Ca. Then I thought they were live broadcasts but maybe they were re-recordings from the Bay Area up north. Not sure how many of Watt's books I have read or lectures listened to but it seems like a lot.

[Jenny Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kat Kester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan watts never fails me. While he is wordy and profound and tries a little too hard to be philosophical, he has such a wonderful message that shines through.

[Rami Madan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m changed from someone who talks about Alan Watts to someone who has read Alan Watts 😂Some essays were very good and a couple meandered, hence the average rating.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything I've read by Alan Watts is an exciting trip through shifting perspectives. He claims that the Beat movement (and what followed) originated in the halls of Eastern Studies departments in California following World War II. My partner doesn't accept that thesis, but I actually do. Since this is a compilation of works, other concepts are discussed as well, such as our warped understanding of "time."

[Chad Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read with all sorts of yummy zen tidbits of wisdom that are offered up in the unique Alan Watts manner. I highly recommend this book to anyone who doesn't take life and spirituality too serious. One of the greatest things about the work of Alan Watts is his uncanny ability to make profound concepts very practical and simple. I had a most enjoyable time reading this book ;)

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and confusing all at the same time, Watts offers ideas and thoughts that were amazing, but often gave me moments of WTF. Not the most literate response to his man's work but it was honest. I will explore him more for sure, but for a reader, you may need to stop and reread his work to understand.

[John Fredrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of 6 distinct essays, all of which are geared to Zen understandings. Like many other books by Watts, this one is very down-to-earth in its language, but the subject matter is such that it requires care in reading to really 'get' what he is saying. Definitely worth a read, and perhaps a re-read.

[Bret · Rating 5 out of 5]

maybe it's just where i'm at right now in life, but this book was right up my alley. zen principles, going for the authentic experience, not some watered down imitation, are what watts is getting at. a collection of short essays/lectures that he gave on the radio.

[Kelly Caplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, sweet collection of a few transcribed symposiums and talks Watts gave throughout the 50's. I found it a very interesting, enthusiastic introduction to Eastern Thought(Primarily Zen customs as well as a lovely and refreshing perspective of the world. I really like this guy!

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of essays--based on a selection of radio talks and lectures given by Alan Watts in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Prior to reading this, I had not read anything by him since my college days in the 1960s. I found these essays somewhat dated and a bit dry.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

LIVE IN THE NOW!

[Janne S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, but not quite what I expected from it -- a fault that's my own for making assumptions, and not the book in itself. Still, quite an interesting & enjoyable read.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beats are only mentioned in the introduction, but although the book is not what I thought it would be, I am still very glad I came across it.

[Cedar Zockoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

More a condensed version of Watts' Way of Zen than a book about the Beat lifestyle, but a short and very accessible Zen book nonetheless.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book. Alan Watts is... brilliant.