The Way of Zen by Alan W. Watts Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Way of Zen
Book Review: How to Widen your Horizon
Summary: 5 Stars
No more competent a scholar than Alan Watts can be imagined to present this excellent introduction to Zen. I read it years ago and let my copy slip away. But Amazon had a ready replacement fortunately. Read it and discover what real enlightenment is.Book Review: It Is "The" Book
Summary: 5 Stars
The prolific Alan Watts explains the origin, growth, development, and philosophy of Buddhism in a readable and interesting way. He explains and describes how the scripts of the Pali Cannon are put into practice and the rational behind it, and other concepts, such at the eight paths i.e., One of the major authorities on the subject, he can write for the curious layman, student, and academic at once. Watts has an extensive background in the different forms of Buddhism and this is for anyone with an interest in the philosophy of Hinduism, Taoism, Mahayana, Therevada & Zen Buddhism and other branches. Many books in this field are dry and esoteric, but not "The Way of Zen." It was written some time ago, but is relevant today as it was when it was published.
Book Review: It would be hard to make this better
Summary: 5 Stars
This is good stuff. I like this man's style. A little history then a little doctrine. If you have no exposure to Zen then I highly recommend this. This is not something that is meant to be read through all novel like. Take every page and read is several times. This is more of a textbook to me. It seems small when you pick it up but what's inside could fill an endless number of books. There is so much insane wisdom in here. This is good, but what is good? Once you say something is good that makes something else bad. All I'm saying is that this will give you a lot to ponder about. Read and feel your mind expand.Book Review: My Favorite Book of all the ones I have ever read...
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read this book almost 30 years ago. Coming from a martial arts background I knew what Zen was and all that but this book had such a wonderful descriptive history of Zen and described all its branches that even I learned much from it.
I mostly just checked on its availability from Amazon to see if my old favorite was still available.
I think Watts is even better than Suzuki at talking about Zen.. he is the best I have ever read.
If anybody wants to learn about Zen and all its branches and history this book can't be beat.
Book Review: Not Just Zen but an Introductory Course in Eastern Philosophy...
Summary: 5 Stars
Alan Watts wrote this book at the peak of his intellectual and spiritual powers. It reflects a wonderful mastery of the subject and a maturity of thought. I was expecting an excellent overview of Zen history, philosophy, and practice. This book is that and much more. Watts takes us back to the roots of Zen through Taoism and Hinduism and brings us up through a tour of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism on the way to Zen. He also provides the best description of the concept of Maya that I've ever read. The book is mostly scholarly in tone, but there are sporadic flashes of his mystical wit and insights. To me, this is definitely one of his masterworks.