Get Your Free Audiobook

  • Reality, Art and Illusion

  • Written by: Alan Watts
  • Narrated by: Alan Watts
  • Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (5 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title to download and keep
Listen to anything from the Plus Catalogue—thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts and audiobooks
Download titles to your library and listen offline
₹199 per month after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime.
Reality, Art and Illusion cover art

Reality, Art and Illusion

Written by: Alan Watts
Narrated by: Alan Watts
Free with 30-day trial

₹199 per month after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for ₹680.00

Buy Now for ₹680.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.

Publisher's Summary

Alan Watts discusses the Indian philosophy of the world as maya - under its multiple meanings as illusion, art, magic, creative power, measure, etc. Various techniques in the arts are used to illustrate the delicate and vibrational character of the material world, and to suggest a new approach to the old philosophy that the universe is "mind" only.

©1973 Electronic University (P)2014 BetterListen! LLC, all rights reserved.

What listeners say about Reality, Art and Illusion

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great to hear Mr Watts wisdom in his own voice

if you are not familiar with Mr Watts, I think he is a master of eastern and western religions who is well versed in science and psychology who explains the core concepts of spirituality in a very clear and entertaining manner. His work is a gift to the seeker who's quest is the ultimate truth without affinity for philosophies, religions or dogma.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Jonathan
  • Jonathan
  • 21-01-15

Amazing

I feel that Alan Watts has explained everything that has to do with anything else.

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile image for David F.
  • David F.
  • 19-03-21

Great Teacher

I love Alan watts presentment. However, I find it troubling in one part. Due to the era he comes from, he makes the disgusting statement "just like not all black men are n!!!!!rs, or not all China Men are c""nks," etc. He never says, "and not all white men are cra!!ers..." but because he said not ALL "this" are "that" it's not supposed to be racist.
Well... such is the way of human ignorance.
By the way, racism is not purely a white issue. Were I white in India I'd of stood a great chance of being pulled out of my house and burned to death in the middle of the night in recent times.
A certain Latino comedian is fond of saying everyone is racist, and that he hates white people.
Racism sucks. I love you all. Thank you.

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Lamar
  • Lamar
  • 27-01-16

Good Information

Some info here that is not in Essential Lectures.
A Few long pauses as usual, but also some volume issues in places. Very good perspectives though :-)

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for sam
  • sam
  • 05-09-15

welcome to reality

loved it. life changing . one of the best lectures by alan watts. a must

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Jacob Ermete
  • Jacob Ermete
  • 06-07-20

One for revisiting and fast listen through

As someone who enjoys Eastern spirituality and art, I love the clairvoyance Watts brings to how art is an extension of the universe playing. I find myself revisiting this recording whenever I'm feeling creatively uninspired.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Tom
  • Tom
  • 31-10-22

A disjointed intro to Watts

These bits and pieces drawn from Watts’ deep study of Eastern Religions and Culture don’t really provide much understanding of his Philosophy.

There are some gems included and it’s great to hear his delivery in his own voice. If you want to learn more read his books. Three Stars for his presentation. ***

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile image for G. Parlee
  • G. Parlee
  • 27-09-22

good

Very good explanation of some of these concepts. Well worded. Enjoyed it thoroughly. I've only just started listening to Alan Watts and if all his work is like this I think it will be well worth the time to hear/read it.

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Mr Dangerous
  • Mr Dangerous
  • 31-08-22

Solid

Lotta good stuff here. Not my favorite of his, but if this is on sale - get it.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for JCW
  • JCW
  • 12-08-22

The genius of Alan Watts

This is a very insightful series of talks by the great Alan Watts, who is extremely prescient in this discussions. Although the audio has some problems here and there, it is something easily overcome by the superiority of the content. I have most of his audiobooks, and like Osho, who is his Eastern counterpart and one of my favorite authors. All of their audiobooks and regular books are well worth the time and energy. I hope you enjoy these talks as much as I have. They are highly recommended.

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Dolores
  • Dolores
  • 10-08-22

Reality . Art and illusion

Interesting subject, but hard to listen to , because of constant background noise, some sort of non stop clacking sound .

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Sue Shepherd
  • Sue Shepherd
  • 25-09-16

All that Jazz...

a fascinating recording of lectures given by Alan Watts... I fell in love with his voice!
the recording is a little hard initially as Alan is obviously slapping a stick on the board of information... but once over that he is wonderful to listen to.

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Terry
  • Terry
  • 30-01-19

This man is simply incredible. Listen and listen!

I could listen to Alan Watts for the rest of time. This audio and particularly for me the final chapter is absolutely transcendental. Alan takes all the walls created by our western cultural view, cuts right through and leaves you with something rather beautiful.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for babyrobot
  • babyrobot
  • 03-04-19

Sleeping zen master

I love to play Alan Watts on my long hauls to California. He sends me into a sound sleep and I always wake up wiser.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 24-09-18

Love it!

Alan Watts is such a joy listening to! recomend it to anyone who wants to stretch the mind

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile image for Davie
  • Davie
  • 17-03-18

Really good!

I loved this. I just wish it was longer! Alan Watts was truly ahead of his time. Fantastic!

1 person found this helpful