The Book Audiobook By Alan Watts cover art

The Book

On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

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The Book

By: Alan Watts
Narrated by: John Lee
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A revelatory primer on what it means to be human and a mind-opening manual of initiation into the central mystery of existence, by “perhaps the foremost interpreter of Eastern disciplines for the contemporary West" (Los Angeles Times).

At the root of human conflict is our fundamental misunderstanding of who we are. The illusion that we are isolated beings, unconnected to the rest of the universe, has led us to view the “outside” world with hostility, and has fueled our misuse of technology and our violent and hostile subjugation of the natural world. To help us understand that the self is in fact the root and ground of the universe, Alan Watts provides us with a much-needed answer to the problem of personal identity, distilling and adapting the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta.

©1966 Alan Watts (P)2023 Random House Audio Hinduism Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy

Critic reviews

“Perhaps the foremost interpreter of Eastern disciplines for the contemporary West, Watts had the rare gift of ‘writing beautifully the unwritable.’”—Los Angeles Times

"[Watts is] the perfect guide for a course correction in life." —Deepak Chopra
Spiritual Enlightenment • Thought-provoking Content • Insightful Content • Timeless Wisdom • Mind-stretching Concepts
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Profound, clarifying, freeing. I will be returning to this book for years to come. So much truth.

Oh wow

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Watts has created one of those valuable Reference Books whose role is to remind you to practice being who you are by telling you not to try so hard.

Don’t let yourself be put in a box by Parents, School. Corporation, or Society. Or even by his Books that you might have read.

This is the ultimate Zen or Tao “Bible”. Four Stars. **** It would have been Five but his teachings come at you so fast that you have to go back and hear them over and over.

Another one of those Bedside Pickup Daily Books

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The clear and simple honesty combined with wit and wisdom. This book should be on all people’s reading list and especially those who profess to teach others anything.

Must read for everyone, everywhere

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Alan Watts has done it again. This book will help remove the vail placed on our concept of self by society. If you are on a journey of discovery and spirituality, this book is a must read!

A Must Read!

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This book stretched my mind to think out of box. I enjoy a challenge that causes me to question what I believe & why. Good job Mr. Watts.

Deep Thought

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Read this for the first time fifteen years ago. The audiobook presentation is superb and the text stands the test of time.

As good as ever

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The SECRET of our existence is out, now what will you do with it? Have a ball!!! ^_^

Watts always delivers

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Will listen to this again. Deep...... Worth listening to. I have the book in physical form but might as well abuse this new age technology for what it's worth. To bad these phones don't give bJ as they read to you. RIP AW

Loved it...

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Timeless broad wisdom and powerful, deep insight told with humor and joy. The perfect salve for the anxious modern person looking for how to reconnect to the universal.

Vital reading

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Like the authors approach to the reality of life and how it should be viewed.

New View

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