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| This Is It: and Other Essays on Zen and Spiritual Experience | 
 enlarge | Author: Alan W. Watts
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $11.00 (25.90 RON)
Buy New: $8.80 (20.72 RON)
You Save: $2.20 (5.18 RON) (20%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 234020
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 160
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.4
ISBN: 0394719042
Dewey Decimal Number: 294.34
EAN: 9780394719047
ASIN: 0394719042
Publication Date: March 12, 1973
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 10 | | NEXT » |
 West meets the Rest October 21, 2008
Simply one of the best American Philosophers.
I don't know why this isn't a book presented in most curricula.
This should be an introduction book for any and all who are interested beyond jesus.
 Deep ploughing December 8, 2007
To me this book seemed very hard to get into, although the usual depth was there if I made the effort. But so hard that I have to admit I merely scanned quite a bit of it. Not one to start on if you're not used to Alan's writings.
Spiritual can mean Everyday July 12, 2005
The apparent simplicity of a statement like "This is it" is beautiful, and at the same time it is clear and equivocal. Why would we be dissatisfied with "This is it" as an explanation, proclamation, or celebration? Perhaps because we have been conditioned to expect more before ever being given the chance to appreciate the immanent.
Aside from theology, no field is more guilty of overlooking the "here and now" than philosophy - overlooking it, or simply missing it. But Alan Watts believes in a philosophy that is true to its spirit, the love of wisdom. "Such philosophy will not preach or advocate practices leading to improvement." As he understands it "the work of the philosopher as artist is to reveal and celebrate the eternal and purposeless background of human life." It may seem presumptuous for Watts to use the word purposeless, but if fact it's the opposite. To begin with, in relationships that involve observation, appreciation, celebration, or interaction with the "here and now," (life) there should be no assumptions made regarding a purpose. Assuming a purpose is already removing oneself from the "here and now" by imposing an impression that only could have been established through time, in the past. In truth, the purpose or lack thereof is not important.
We don't realize how many of these assumptions form the base for all that we experience. Watts pulls a wonderful line from Dostoyevsky: "Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy. It's only that...If anyone finds out he'll become happy at once, that minute." Watts isn't trying to imply that happiness is easy. But we don't make things easier on ourselves by entangling ourselves in webs of assumption, dogma, and rigidity.
Alan Watts is very intelligent, and very interesting - a combination not found in too many philosophers at all, let alone in the twentieth century. Though he would never claim to be offering any type of assistance or prescription, it is likely that this book will inspire you to see the world from another angle or two.
It is this May 25, 2004
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
kind of writing and insight, from someone I consider a mentor to this day, which helped me to deepen my understanding of Christianity as I was recovering from a period of Jesus enthusiasm in the mid-70s. I am only now reading this particular work by Watts, but it just confirms for me how helpful were his words for me then, and for so many others who came of age during the 60s and early 70s.
Short but Good May 14, 2003
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
_This Is It_ by Alan Watts is a good solid work, but is too short to provide the rigorous instruction needed to achieve any appreciable amount of enlightenment or Zen Satori. That said, it is a wonderful, enjoyable, and profound book page for page, and is essential to round out your collection of Alan Watts' more recent and well-known works. _This Is It_ is also perfect for someone who does not want a megadose of strenuous philosophy and theology; it is ideal for those who are new to psychological-religious non-fiction, or who do not have the time to hack through some kind of magnum-opus epic of philosophy. If, however, you want to read one of the more comprehensive books by Alan Watts, I would recommend _Psychotherapy East and West_, which is his best work.
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