Books › In my own way
In my own way
an autobiography, 1915-1965
First published 1972 · 466 pages
A playful, deeply philosophical stroll through the life of a man who spent his days dismantling the illusion of the self.
What it feels like
Reading this autobiography feels less like studying a historical timeline and more like sharing a pot of tea with a brilliant, slightly mischievous mentor. The pace is delightfully meandering, reflecting a mind that prefers the scenic route of philosophical inquiry over a rigid narrative structure. The mood is expansive and sunlit, infused with a wry, playful tone that gently pokes holes in Western cultural anxieties. The prose is conversational yet profoundly eloquent, effortlessly bridging the gap between dense theology and everyday joy. It is a deeply comforting, intellectually stimulating experience designed for spiritual wanderers, armchair philosophers, and anyone who suspects that life is less of a test to be passed and more of a dance to be enjoyed.
- Mood
- expansive
- tranquil
- intellectually stimulating
- nostalgic
- Tone
- wry
- contemplative
- playful
- candid
- Pace
- meandering
- Themes
- spiritual seeking · the illusion of the ego · intellectual rebellion · the joy of existence · cultural synthesis
- The writing
- Conversational, eloquent, and peppered with gentle humor, reading like a long chat with a brilliant, slightly mischievous friend.
- The arc
- Moves from the structured confines of a traditional upbringing to a liberated, expansive embrace of cosmic playfulness.
- Who it's for
- Seekers, armchair philosophers, and spiritual wanderers looking for an intellectual yet deeply human approach to personal liberation.
Content notes
- discussions of psychedelics
- religious deconstruction
- marital infidelity
About the book
Alan Watts was a philosopher, lecturer and the West's foremost popularizir of Asian religion & philosophy. This autobiography tracks his spiritual and philosophical evolution from a child of religious conservatives in rural England to a spiritual teacher who challenged Westerners to challenge convention and think for themselves.
Description from Open Library.
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