Written nearly sixty years ago, some of Watts's wisdom can seem outdated (the metaphor where he notes electrons have never been seen fails today) on the surface, but this is only if you expect it to change you in great ways while reading this short treatise. In today's post-70s guru-saturated, post-EST, seminar-flooded, self-help-flooded society with any number of tools designed to help you fix what is wrong with you, Watts can actually seem downright counterintuitive.

Watts is not offering concrete plans, he is not offering three keys to being more successful, nor is he even offering a real path to stand on for any type of success, happiness or other -ess. Instead, this is a mix of eastern philosophy, a backing of science as a companion to faith, and a clear-cut difference between faith and belief. There is some guidance on how not to implement these ideas, but for the most part, it is designed to be thought-provoking.

In today's age of guaranteed quick-fixes that fall short, something that's simply thought-provoking may just be the thing we need. ( )

This is an excellent introduction to spirituality and philosophy for the non-academic reader. If you read it with understanding, you will be able to lead a happier life without fear. I have given it only 4 stars because there is some unnecessary repetition. ( )

I picked up this book after reading Pema Chodron's Start Where You Are, as she references the book on page 18. I think her book title The Wisdom of No Escape also originates with Watts.

Many themes here are picked up by other authors: Eckhart Tolle (Power of Now), Ken Wilber (Marriage of Sense and Soul), and Deeprak Chopra (The Book of Secrets) all seem to have roots here.

The book is very dated (1951) in language and assumptions, however. ( )

http://www.alanwatts.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Wat... ( )

A tract that started out with some promise which soon headed in a disappointing direction in terms of its argument. Not to mention that perhaps this piece is a little out of date now.

The book is quite easy to read but perhaps needed to be 50 pages shorter. ( )