i just finished reading "Still the Mind - An introduction to meditation" by Alan Watts. man, it was like i had heard every word before, yet it all seems strangely new to me, too. anyways, i really dig what he has (had...) to say about meditation and fundamental concepts about it. also, he does seem to be talking about both buddhism and taoism in his messages without making a distinction between the two, which i kind of like. (not the fact that he doesnt identify which is which, just that he teaches both). anyone else read this book or any others by Watts?
I haven't read the book you refer to, but I did come across compliments towards it through the book Seven Masters, One Path. The author said Alan Watts has a very 'free' approach to meditation techniques relative to some other styles that can seem over-regimented. An Alan Watts book which I have read and would recommend is titled simply, The Book. It's a 'take it or leave it' message that Watts presents, addressing the fundamental misperceptions of existence held by modern society. "We do not play the game of Black and White, instead we choose Black vs. White, or more appropriately, White vs. Black".
Watts = The Shiznit!!! I asked for his whole cd set for xmas. hehe... I've only heard some audio talks and read "THE BOOK: on the taboo against knowing who you are" but its all simply amazing.
I read The Book two summers ago on a roadtrip in Canada and then I bought it when I got home...I really should read that again.
hey! i'm reading watts' 'the philosophies of asia' right now..... it's wonderful, and i'm looking forward to reading more of his work after. i'll make note to look for 'still the mind', thanks.
Another memeber of The Book fan club. It wasn't like I was reading it, more like my brain was just eatting it. A really easy and enjoyable read/eat
funny you mention that - over the Xmas holiday i was chillin´ at my parents place and i brought up alan watts to my mom. to my surprise, she said she had read "The Book" for a class in college in the 60s, so she lent it to me! it´s got a bunch of her notes in it, too. i´ve only read little snippets of it, but i have liked what i´ve seen so far. and sadly, i cant read it now because our semester started again (which pretty much means that i cant read for pure enjoyment).
Watts is awesome. I listened to some lectures online that were recorded in the '60's and 70's and I was just blown away. I am looking for a book to read by him now, I just can't decide which one! He was a sage, yet very humorous and even rebellious... I love that combination. Watts was a great person and teacher. Ben.
