![]() ![]() He wrote the first best-selling book on Buddhism, titled The Way of Zen (1957).Īfter getting married to his first wife, Watts and his wife moved to the United States. Since then, he’s published over 25 books on Zen, Taoism, and other philosophies. He published his first book in 1936 titled The Spirit of Zen. Watts was particularly interested in Zen Buddhism, which he considered to be the synthesis of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. This is what eventually led him to pursue his studies in the ways of Buddhism and other Eastern philosophies upon returning to London. ![]() ![]() In his teens, Watts visited France, where he was exposed to Buddhism through an eccentric and wealthy family friend. Watts spent his childhood at strict Christian boarding schools - the indoctrination of which he viewed as “grim and maudlin.” He once wrote, “I was aesthetically fascinated with certain clarity, transparency, and spaciousness in Chinese and Japanese art. He was raised in a Christian household but quickly came to the realization that Christianity couldn’t quite answer his burning desire to understand the real meaning of life.Įarly on, Watts gained an interest in Asian culture through some art his mother had in their home. Birth & DeathĪlan Watts was born in South London in 1915. Let’s uncover the life and philosophy of Alan Watts. He was one of the primary drivers of the counterculture in the 1960s and a proponent of the use of psychedelics as a tool for self-discovery and enlightenment.Īlan Watts died in 1973 but managed to attain digital immortality in the form of his many lectures on platforms like Youtube and through various podcasts and radio networks. He was loved for his ability to eloquently translate complex Eastern philosophical ideas for a Western audience. The result is a philosophical adventure that will enlighten readers of all religious backgrounds.Alan Watts was one of the most influential philosophers in modern history. From beginning to end, Watts employs his keen intellect and vast erudition to uncover hidden connections between seemingly unrelated events. He also delves into several tantalizing historical enigmas, such as: - Why is Christianity's most sacred holiday named after a pagan goddess? - Is Jesus Christ historically unique, or is he just another example of the "dying-and-rising god" archetype common in antiquity? - How was the date of Easter calculated by the patriarchs of the early Church? - Where did the tradition of the Easter egg come from? (Could it be African?) The book closes on a lighthearted note, with a collection of weird and wonderful Easter folk traditions old and new. In the course of the journey, Watts unravels the multilayered symbolism of Easter and places the holiday within the broader context of world religions. He begins on the scorching plains of Bronze Age Mesopotamia, wanders the marble temples of imperial Rome, enters the glittering cathedrals of medieval Europe, and eventually lands in modern America. In Easter: Its Story and Meaning, Watts goes in search of the lost origins of Easter, taking readers with him on a kaleidoscopic tour of history, anthropology, and myth. Philosopher Alan Watts proposes that these curiosities are vestiges of a tradition far older than Christianity. Yet Easter has become associated with a perplexing jumble of non-Biblical customs: colorful eggs, chocolate rabbits, evening bonfires, children's songs, mischievous games, and more. For millions of believers around the world, it encapsulates the central message of Christianity. THE FORGOTTEN PAGAN ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY'S MOST EMBLEMATIC CELEBRATION "Easter - by whatever name it may be known - is a theme common to almost every religion and every people." - Alan Watts Along with Christmas, Easter Sunday is one of the two most popular celebrations on. Easter: Its Story and Meaning (Trade Paperback / Paperback) ![]()
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