All the Watts you'll ever need

This series of lectures is a comprehensive compilation of Watts teaching on Buddhism, Zen, Hinduism and Taoism. Plus there is also the humor of his one-of-a-kind philosophy based on years of studying the Eastern religions and philosophy. As an Anglican Priest he also has great insights into Christianity. Once you've listened to this you've got everything Watts had to give. Although like me, you may find yourself drawn to rehearing these humorous and insightful talks over and over again.

70 people found this helpful

Excellent!

I had never heard of Alan Watts. I've heard many other philosophers like Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra and others explain eastern/western spirituality, but the way Alan Watts explains it is very easy to understand and profound. I would have to say this is one I'll listen to several times.

51 people found this helpful

brilliant

This man is a genius. The audiobook is perfect for people who are tired of the "spin" associated with spirituality and want to deepen their understanding of the possibilities & philosophies of the human condition.

51 people found this helpful

My thinking was provoked.

Alan Watts died 11 years after I was born, and I had not been exposed to his work until now. And I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this recording of his discussions. It made me think. It made me laugh. It confirmed some of my deepest held convictions and dispelled a few misconceptions, especially my opinions, which apparently were not well formed and insufficiently researched, of Zen Buddhism and Hinduism. This collection of Watts speaking before small groups of people some time in the late 60s or early 70s is poorly recorded and often long, but it felt perfectly captured and all-too-short to my ears.

33 people found this helpful

A life changing look at ancient philosophy

I've listened to Alan Watt's for years but this collection is unique. Over several recorded talks he ties keys themes of the great faiths into a common liberating thread. No particular religious point of view is needed and neither are they demeaned. Like so many profound ideas, you may not get it on the first pass but after hearing it from more than one point of view it becomes clearer than ever.

31 people found this helpful

The perfect audio for those who love to think

So many people out there like to present thoughts and ideas in a way that gives you the answer.....The answer from their perspective. Alan Watts, in "You're It!" presents thoughts, ideas and perspectives that encourage you to think for yourself. He does not tell you what to do, or how to do it....He allows you to arrive at that on your own. What you do with it is up to you.

Alan Watts does not speak "like" anything....He is an intellectual (An intellectual is a person who uses intelligence (thought and reason) and critical or analytical reasoning in either a professional or a personal capacity.) and if this sort of thing bores you....Well, listen to it three more times.

I find that I randomly select a chapter and listen for a bit every day.....It's that good.

26 people found this helpful

This book will transform your life!

Alan Watts is a man of immense intelligent. The most brilliant man who ever lived! He is a master at painting concepts & ideas with words. His words have the power to shatter your world into million pieces. His wisdom is from another realm, since he has tapped into that infinite intelligence and he can speak from that space. If you truly give this book a chance you will be transformed by it. You will know the truth as he knows it, this truth will be directly experienced by you, it won't be just another idea, believe system, philosophy or thought swimming in your mind, but you will directly know this truth to be self evident and you will be liberated. Know this then "What you take to be the thinker ...of the thought....is just one of the thoughts." :) Tat Tvam Asi

15 people found this helpful

Though repetitive, essential Watts

Watts does repeat himself about the yin and yang of life at times but it correlates to what he talks about in that specific lecture. Nevertheless, this lecture runs deep into a beautiful view of the world and the individual. It fits well with "Out of Your Mind." I recommend OYM first then this one. Both are equally interesting that touch different topics. Highly recommended!

11 people found this helpful

Alan Watts is groovey.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Just discovered him, so I guess that makes me late to the party. Better late than never.
Makes complex ideas digestible and interesting. One of the few authors I would listen to a book and then listen to it again immediately.

Any additional comments?

Currently reading The Wisdom of Insecurity. Another treasure trove of insights.

10 people found this helpful

Yeah. If Alan Watts is an intellectual, so am I

Would you listen to You're It! again? Why?

Parts of it are worthy of listening to more than once.

Any additional comments?

"Your It" is really a mixed bag. It is possible that some of the negative reviews were from people who didn't actually finish the lectures. But for some of the glowing reviews, I must say...it wasn't that good.

After starting it, the whole first 2 - 3 hours, I kept thinking, wow, if this guy is an intellectual, then so am I! Mr. Watts made me laugh out loud a few times, but really, he can manage to say a whole lot about nothing (Watts must be the original Seinfeld). I almost gave up on the thing as well.

However, it did get better toward the middle of the series, and toward the end was really good. If it hadn't been for the last few hours, I would have given it 3 stars instead of 4.

What I discovered about myself while listening to this is, if I were a better public speaker, I could have come up with a lot more interesting things to talk about. And I must say,
it is a little ego boost to find out you are an intellectual. That fact alone must be worth an audible credit. Yes?

I think Mr. Watts is good as simplifying things, but he simplified things so well that he managed to almost turn them into nothing other than him rambling.

But with all that said, when it was good, it was good. There is even another book by the Mr. Watts that I might take a chance on. Again, I don't feel the lectures were as mind blowing as the glowing reviews, but the book wasn't as bad as the negative reviews, either.

I think that Alan Watts is gifted, in that he can really break things down in a way that is understandable. But...I also think that sometimes this can be distracting, and he could have sped things up a little by leaving them a little more complicated.

9 people found this helpful