Alan Watts Teaches Oneness and the Way of Zen
Many of his essays and talks on Zen and the Tao are still popular today even though they were written decades ago.
Much of his work has been compiled and published posthumously by his son or other Eastern philosophers.
Background of Alan Watts
Alan Watts was born on January 6, 1915 in England and died at the age of 58 on November 16, 1973. He felt a pull towards the Eastern world, and things unseen from a very early age.As a young adult, he began the study of Buddhism, Zen, and other Eastern philosophies. He underwent training as a Zen monk, although he quit before he became ordained.
Alan Watts also attended a Western seminary school where he studied Christian scripture along with Asian philosophy. For a time, beginning at age 30, Watts was an Episcopal priest.
Eventually, he landed in San Francisco where he freelanced as a radio personality and acquired a large following in the Zen community.
Alan Watts Books - Books by Alan Watts
 
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• "The Spirit of Zen: A Way of Life, Work, and Art in the
Far East" was published in 1936, and is available as a book
and ebook today. In this work, Alan Watts introduced the
Western world to the principles of Zen, including its history
and practices in a modern monastery. He informs readers of the
self-control, mental discipline, and tough spiritual exercises
that comprise the road to Zen. Included are examinations of
other aspects of Japanese life such as swordsmanship and tea
ceremonies. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 4.5 stars out of 5. The book can also be bought as an ebook in the flexible Amazon Kindle format (which works on PC, Mac, Android smartphone & tablet, iPad and iPhone) - to check out the Kindle ebook on Amazon.com, please click this link: The Spirit of Zen - A Way of Life, Work and Art in the Far East (The Wisdom of the East) 
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• "The Supreme Identity" is a book that was
originally published in 1950. This early book by Alan Watts
expounds on his idea of Oneness, and offers comparisons of
Oriental metaphysics and Christian religions. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 5 stars out of 5. |
 
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• "The Way of Zen" was published in 1954 and is available as a book,
ebook, and audio book. This book provides readers with a
history of Zen. Watts follows it through its roots in Hinduism,
Buddhism, and Taoism. Although this book was written decades
ago, it is still quite popular and is a good introduction for
those interested in learning more about Zen. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 4.5 stars out of 5. The book can also be bought as an ebook in the flexible Amazon Kindle format (which works on PC, Mac, Android smartphone & tablet, iPad and iPhone) - to check out the Kindle ebook on Amazon.com, please click this link: The Way of Zen 
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• "This Is
It: and Other Essays on Zen and Spiritual Experience" was
published in 1960 and is available as a book and ebook. It
contains six essays by Alan Watts on a variety of mystical
subjects such as instinct, intelligence, and anxiety,
spirituality and sexuality, states of consciousness, and
psychedelic drugs. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 4.5 stars out of 5. The book can also be bought as an ebook in the flexible Amazon Kindle format (which works on PC, Mac, Android smartphone & tablet, iPad and iPhone) - to check out the Kindle ebook on Amazon.com, please click this link: This Is It: and Other Essays on Zen and Spiritual Experience 
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• "Psychotherapy East and West" was
published in 1961 and is an exploration of the differences and
similarities between Western psychotherapy and Eastern
mysticism. Alan Watts explains they have one thing in common
and that is trying to do away with the notion of an isolated
sense of self, or ego, and instilling the idea of Oneness. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 4.5 stars out of 5. |
 
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• "Become What You Are" is a book of collected writings by
Alan Watts that cover such topics as the Taoist way of
harmonious living, psychological symbolism of Christianity,
the challenge of seeing oneself as one really is, and the
limits of language on the expression of spirituality. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 4.5 stars out of 5. |
 
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"Tao: The Watercourse Way" was published in 1977. This book
contains the thoughts of Watts accompanied by beautiful
illustrations. In this book, Watts explains the concepts of
the Chinese Tao in a way that is enlightening and profound.
This is one of the last books written by Watts and is often
considered to be one of his best. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 4.5 stars out of 5. |
 
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• "What is Zen?" is a compilation of lectures given by Watts on the subject of Zen.
It is available as a book and ebook. He begins by explaining
Zen in the first chapter and then goes on to offer techniques
used by Zen masters to quiet the mind and enter into
meditation. This work is good for seasoned students of Zen and
beginners alike. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 5 stars out of 5. The book can also be bought as an ebook in the flexible Amazon Kindle format (which works on PC, Mac, Android smartphone & tablet, iPad and iPhone) - to check out the Kindle ebook on Amazon.com, please click this link: What Is Zen? 
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• "In My Own Way: An Autobiography"
was published in 1972 and is available as a book and ebook.
Watts shares the story of his life with readers from his
beginning as a child of religious conservatives to his
spiritual development. Included are bits of philosophy,
observations of Western culture, tales of celebrity
associations, and experiences with psychedelic drugs. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 5 stars out of 5. The book can also be bought as an ebook in the flexible Amazon Kindle format (which works on PC, Mac, Android smartphone & tablet, iPad and iPhone) - to check out the Kindle ebook on Amazon.com, please click this link: In My Own Way 
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"Behold the Spirit: A Study in the Necessity of Mystical
Religion" is a book and ebook by Alan Watts that was first
published in 1948. This book covers the topic of mystical
religion, why it is important and how it can be reconciled
with Western religions. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 5 stars out of 5. The book can also be bought as an ebook in the flexible Amazon Kindle format (which works on PC, Mac, Android smartphone & tablet, iPad and iPhone) - to check out the Kindle ebook on Amazon.com, please click this link: Behold the Spirit: A Study in the Necessity of Mystical Religion 
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• "The Book: On The Taboo
Against Knowing Who You Are" was published in 1966, and is
available as a book, ebook, and audio book. This is one of the
more popular self improvement books by Alan Watts. This book
attacks the belief that we are separate egos and set apart
from the rest of the world. Watts offers an alternate
viewpoint that is based on ancient Hindi and Vedantic
philosophy. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 4.5 stars out of 5. The book can also be bought as an ebook in the flexible Amazon Kindle format (which works on PC, Mac, Android smartphone & tablet, iPad and iPhone) - to check out the Kindle ebook on Amazon.com, please click this link: The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are 
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• "Does It Matter?: Essays on Man's
Relation to Materiality" is a book and ebook that was
originally published in 1970. In this work, Alan Watts looks
at man's relationship with the world around him including
things such as clothing, technology, housing, and economics.
He explains our obsession with material things makes us
unconscious of nature, plants, animals, and the earth. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 4.5 stars out of 5. |
 
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• "Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown: A Mountain Journal" was
published in 1973, and is available as an ebook and book. This
book contains thoughts written in a journal Watts kept at his
retreat in Mount Tamalpais, California. He covers many topics
such as karma, meditation, ecstasy, nature, Tao, race
relations, and religion. Watts explains the best path may be
one of contemplative meditation and accepting what is. If you click on the image to the left it will open a new tab/window on Amazon.com, where users have given this book 5 stars out of 5. The book can also be bought as an ebook in the flexible Amazon Kindle format (which works on PC, Mac, Android smartphone & tablet, iPad and iPhone) - to check out the Kindle ebook on Amazon.com, please click this link: Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown: A Mountain Journal 
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The Legacy of Alan Watts
Alan Watts touched many lives through his many personal development books, essays and lectures.
Many of his lectures have been preserved and are archived by the radio station where he worked and by his son who has compiled the lectures and essays into various collections.
His writing style that is witty, humorous, and insightful has helped generations of spiritual seekers come to better understand the concepts of Oneness, Zen and the Tao.
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