The Way of Zen by Alan W. Watts Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Way of Zen
Book Review: Nothing Goes On Forever
Summary: 5 Stars
It's hard to recommend a specific Watts intro. Indeed, some may find this text extremely tough reading. All I can say is, "have a dabble", reading Watts is a life changing experience. Also recommend Audiobooks (from iTunes) containing his early lectures.
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Book Review: One of the best on Zen
Summary: 5 Stars
As most of us know, Watts is historically one of the most significant writer's introducing the West to Eastern thought. Although "The Book" may speak to a wider audience, this is the best English book on Eastern thought in terms of accesibility and comprehensiveness. It provides us a nice historical overview of the evolution of this type of consciousness and explains the main messages of various "Eastern" schools of thought in a way that most of us Western minds can comprehend. Because of this, I use this as a book as one of the texts in my class of Eastern philosophy. Another book I use for this class is a book called "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. It is an excellent book that provides a nice bridge between Western thought and Eastern thought in a way that students can understand and appreciate. If you are truly interested in Eastern thought, I believe that these two books are two pieces of essential reading.Book Review: Spirtuality for the Intelligent and Scientifically Oriented
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a secular humanist and majored in particle physics in H.S. I'm agnostic/atheistic yet very spiritual.This review is being written by someone with an M.S. in Education ,and skeptical of so-called mysticism .This book is for the most part right to the point ,avoiding polysyllabic pretentiousness and vague notions. Mr. Watts made it simple to understand a compassionate way of life that helps individuals to balance emotions and gain control over them. He takes on the false notion of reincarnation which has no place at all in Zen,Tao or original Buddhism. He shows that mortality is a reason for enjoying simple pleasures. We are not only individuals but social beings. I aim for a life that is less egocentric,balancing emotions through meditation. Alan Watts is highly responsible for making Zen concepts available to the Western world.He died yet his ideas carried on. The reader must however must eventualy close the book ,learn meditation and practice it. The notion that it is Japanese or Chinese or Indian are nonsense. Incorporate the ideas gently and make small changes in your life for yourself and the rest of us.
Book Review: Still The Best
Summary: 5 Stars
Receiving my first copy of The Way of Zen in 1959 set me on the path of exploring both the literature and the practices of Eastern traditions for the next 47 years. My original copy became so well-worn that I recently had to relegate it to archive status and purchase a new working copy. All these years later, this title still remains for me the classic work for Western understanding of Buddhism.
I am amazed at the proliferation of books on the subject to be currently found on Amazon.com. Separating the wheat from the chaff can be a daunting challenge. Many interpretations of the Dharma, especially by Western authors, often seem to be tainted by naive New Age idealism on the one hand, or dry pedantry on the other. Although Watts was academically disciplined, reading the text with appropriate reflection can be simultaneously an intellectual and experiential endeavor (although not in the "how-to" sense). Watts wisely points out, with ample historical support from past Zen masters, that while so-called techniques for enlightenment may serve as transitional supports along the path, they ultimately lead to dead ends.
The Way of Zen, despite some rather petty criticisms by pedants and literalists over the years, has survived as one of the most lucid expositions of Zen specifically and Buddhism in general. Highly recommended...still.
Book Review: Surprising book about Chan (Zen) Buddhism!
Summary: 5 Stars
I happen to read this book in the 70s. At the time I was reading Thomas Merton, and others talking a lot about 'contemplation' and the Catholic Mystical Tradition with a sprinkling of 'Eastern Mysticism'. So, I picked up this title, for various reasons, thinking it would be of helpful. I'd read most of Watts' books on Christianity (many of which included discussions of eastern philosophy). What a surprise! Turned out those Zen folks not only knew something about the tough questions relating to contemplation, they had such great experience at these matters and had come up with such unique ways of expressing it that it had become an art form for them. (The appreciation of this uniqueness has since worn off for reasons mentioned in some other reviews.) One reviewer also mentioned the legend of the 4th Patriarchs meeting with Fa-yung. When I first read that it was stunning! I've never forgot it and still refer to it to this day. It was here that I first met the Grand Masters of Chan, Bodhidharma, Huang Po and Zen had its madmen and poets, painters and potters, it was fascinating. Did I mention the historical perspective that forms the first part of the book? One last very important point. I had never encountered humor in my limited religious experience until I read about the Zen folks who, it seemed to me at the time, had the most hilarious answers to some of the most profound questions. I've never forgot that either. (Unfortunately, those answers don't strike people today as humorous, but seem more threatening to them. I wonder why that is...?) There may be some flaws in this book as some have suggested but I am willing to bet it will continue to be the best introduction to Zen for many years. Have fun!