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Ivan Frimmel presents

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Alan Watts – The Unconventional Way

(1915 - 1973)

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The Alan Watts Story (1)

Born in Kent, England, Born in Kent, England, January 6, 1915.January 6, 1915.

Attended King's College School, Canterbury.Attended King's College School, Canterbury.

At age sixteen he wrote essay for the journal of the At age sixteen he wrote essay for the journal of the Buddhist Lodge in London, and after that became a Buddhist Lodge in London, and after that became a regular contributor to this journal.regular contributor to this journal.

Came to the United States in 1938 (age 23). Came to the United States in 1938 (age 23).

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The Alan Watts Story (2)

Served on the Council of the World Congress of Faiths Served on the Council of the World Congress of Faiths (1936-38).(1936-38).

He held a Master's Degree in Theology from Seabury-He held a Master's Degree in Theology from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and an Honarary DD Western Theological Seminary and an Honarary DD from the University of Vermont in recognition of his from the University of Vermont in recognition of his work in the field of comparative religions. work in the field of comparative religions.

Become widely recognized as an authority on Zen Become widely recognized as an authority on Zen

Buddhism, for his Zen writings, e.g. Buddhism, for his Zen writings, e.g. The Way of ZenThe Way of Zen, , and for and for The Book On the Taboo Against Knowing Who The Book On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You AreYou Are..

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The Alan Watts Story (3)

For more than forty years, Alan Watts earned a reputation as a foremost For more than forty years, Alan Watts earned a reputation as a foremost interpreter of Eastern philosophies for the West. From the age of 16 he interpreter of Eastern philosophies for the West. From the age of 16 he developed an audience of millions who were enriched through his books, developed an audience of millions who were enriched through his books, tape-recordings, radio & television appearances, and public lectures. tape-recordings, radio & television appearances, and public lectures.

In all, Alan Watts wrote more than twenty-five books and recorded hundreds In all, Alan Watts wrote more than twenty-five books and recorded hundreds of lectures and seminars - all building toward a personal philosophy that he of lectures and seminars - all building toward a personal philosophy that he himself lived and shared in complete candor and joy with his readers and himself lived and shared in complete candor and joy with his readers and listeners throughout the world. His overall works have presented a model of listeners throughout the world. His overall works have presented a model of individuality and self-expression that can be matched by only a few individuality and self-expression that can be matched by only a few philosophers. philosophers.

His life and work reflect an astonishing adventure: he was an editor, His life and work reflect an astonishing adventure: he was an editor, Anglican priest, graduate dean, broadcaster, author, lecturer, and Anglican priest, graduate dean, broadcaster, author, lecturer, and entertainer… He had fascinations for archery, calligraphy, cooking, chanting, entertainer… He had fascinations for archery, calligraphy, cooking, chanting, and dancing, and was very fond of hiking alone in the wilderness. and dancing, and was very fond of hiking alone in the wilderness.

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The Alan Watts Story (4)

He held fellowships from Harvard University and the Bollingen Foundation, He held fellowships from Harvard University and the Bollingen Foundation, and was the Episcopal Chaplain at Northwestern University during the and was the Episcopal Chaplain at Northwestern University during the Second World War. Second World War.

He became professor and dean of the American Academy of Asian Studies in He became professor and dean of the American Academy of Asian Studies in San Francisco, made the television series San Francisco, made the television series Eastern Wisdom and Modern LifeEastern Wisdom and Modern Life for National Educational Television, and served as a visiting consultant for for National Educational Television, and served as a visiting consultant for some psychiatric institutions and hospitals, and the United States Air Force. some psychiatric institutions and hospitals, and the United States Air Force.

In the mid-sixties he traveled widely with his students in Japan, and visited In the mid-sixties he traveled widely with his students in Japan, and visited Burma, Ceylon, and India. Burma, Ceylon, and India.

Alan Watts died in his sleep (at 58) on Alan Watts died in his sleep (at 58) on 16 November 197316 November 1973, at home aboard , at home aboard the old ferryboat the old ferryboat Vallejo,Vallejo, in San Francisco Bay; he is survived by his second in San Francisco Bay; he is survived by his second wife and seven children.wife and seven children.

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His Bibliography (1) The Spirit of Zen (1936)The Spirit of Zen (1936) The Legacy of Asia and Western Man (1937)The Legacy of Asia and Western Man (1937) The Meaning of Happiness (1940)The Meaning of Happiness (1940) The Theologica Mystica of St. Dionysius (1944) (translation)The Theologica Mystica of St. Dionysius (1944) (translation) Behold the Spirit (1948)Behold the Spirit (1948) Easter - Its Story and Meaning (1950)Easter - Its Story and Meaning (1950) The Supreme Identity (1950)The Supreme Identity (1950) The Wisdom of Insecurity (1951)The Wisdom of Insecurity (1951) Myth and Ritual in Christianity (1953)Myth and Ritual in Christianity (1953) The Way of Zen (1957)The Way of Zen (1957) Nature, Man, and Woman (1958)Nature, Man, and Woman (1958) This Is It (1960)This Is It (1960) Psychotherapy East and West (1961)Psychotherapy East and West (1961)

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His Bibliography (2) The Joyous Cosmology-Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness (1962)The Joyous Cosmology-Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness (1962) The Two Hands of God - The Myths of Polarity (1963)The Two Hands of God - The Myths of Polarity (1963) Beyond Theology - The Art of Godmanship (1964)Beyond Theology - The Art of Godmanship (1964) The Book - On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are (1966)The Book - On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are (1966) Nonsense (1967)Nonsense (1967) Does It Matter? - Essays on Man's Relation to Materiality (1970)Does It Matter? - Essays on Man's Relation to Materiality (1970) Erotic Spirituality - The Vision of Konarak (1971)Erotic Spirituality - The Vision of Konarak (1971) The Art of Contemplation (1972)The Art of Contemplation (1972) In My Own Way - An Autobiography 1915-1965 (1972)In My Own Way - An Autobiography 1915-1965 (1972) Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown - A Mountain Journal (1973)Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown - A Mountain Journal (1973) Tao: The Watercourse Way Tao: The Watercourse Way

(unfinished at the time of his death in 1973 - published in 1975)(unfinished at the time of his death in 1973 - published in 1975) The Early Writings of Alan Watts (1987)The Early Writings of Alan Watts (1987) The Modern Mystic: A New Collection of Early Writings (1990)The Modern Mystic: A New Collection of Early Writings (1990)

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His Record Albums

Alan Watts made at least two record albums:Alan Watts made at least two record albums:

Om:  The Sound of Hinduism (1967); Om:  The Sound of Hinduism (1967);

Why Not Now: Dhyana, The Art of Meditation (two Why Not Now: Dhyana, The Art of Meditation (two

record set) (1969)record set) (1969)

… … and hundreds of broadcasts on various radio and hundreds of broadcasts on various radio stations throughout the USA.stations throughout the USA.

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Books Published After His DeathIn addition, a number of books have been published by his son Mark since his death, which In addition, a number of books have been published by his son Mark since his death, which contain transcripts of recorded lectures and/or articles not included above.  They include:contain transcripts of recorded lectures and/or articles not included above.  They include:

The Essence of Alan Watts (1974)The Essence of Alan Watts (1974) Essential Alan Watts (1976)Essential Alan Watts (1976) Uncarved Block, Unbleached Silk: The Mystery of Life (1978)Uncarved Block, Unbleached Silk: The Mystery of Life (1978) Om: Creative Meditations (1979)Om: Creative Meditations (1979) Play to Live (1982)Play to Live (1982) Way of Liberation: Essays and Lectures on the Transformation of the Self (1983)Way of Liberation: Essays and Lectures on the Transformation of the Self (1983) Out of the Trap (1985)Out of the Trap (1985) Diamond Web (1986)Diamond Web (1986) Talking Zen (1994)Talking Zen (1994) Become Who You Are (1995)Become Who You Are (1995) Buddhism: The Religion of No-Religion (1995)Buddhism: The Religion of No-Religion (1995) The Philosophies of Asia (1995)The Philosophies of Asia (1995) The Tao of Philosophy (1995)The Tao of Philosophy (1995) Myth and Religion (1996)Myth and Religion (1996) Taoism: Way Beyond Seeking (1997)Taoism: Way Beyond Seeking (1997) Zen and the Beat Way (1997)Zen and the Beat Way (1997) Culture of Counterculture (1998)Culture of Counterculture (1998)

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His Bestselling Books

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Alan Watts on “Ego”I find that the sensation of myself as an ego inside a bag of skin is really a hallucination. I find that the sensation of myself as an ego inside a bag of skin is really a hallucination. What we really are is, first of all, the whole of our body. And although our bodies are What we really are is, first of all, the whole of our body. And although our bodies are bounded with skin, and we can differentiate between outside and inside, they cannot exist bounded with skin, and we can differentiate between outside and inside, they cannot exist except in a certain kind of natural environment. Obviously a body requires air, and the air except in a certain kind of natural environment. Obviously a body requires air, and the air must within a certain temperature range. The body also requires certain kinds of nutrition. must within a certain temperature range. The body also requires certain kinds of nutrition. So in order to occur the body must be on a mild and nutritive planet with just enough So in order to occur the body must be on a mild and nutritive planet with just enough oxygen in the atmosphere spinning regularly around in a harmonious and rhythmical way oxygen in the atmosphere spinning regularly around in a harmonious and rhythmical way near a certain kind of warm star.near a certain kind of warm star.

That arrangement is just as essential to the existence of my body as my heart, my lungs, That arrangement is just as essential to the existence of my body as my heart, my lungs, and my brain. So to describe myself in a scientific way, I must also describe my and my brain. So to describe myself in a scientific way, I must also describe my surroundings, which is a clumsy way getting around to the realization that you are the surroundings, which is a clumsy way getting around to the realization that you are the entire universe. However we do not normally feel that way because we have constructed in entire universe. However we do not normally feel that way because we have constructed in thought an abstract idea of our self.thought an abstract idea of our self.

"Well," you ask."How do I get rid of it?" And my answer to that is: That's the wrong "Well," you ask."How do I get rid of it?" And my answer to that is: That's the wrong question. How does one get rid of what? You can't get rid of your hallucination of being an question. How does one get rid of what? You can't get rid of your hallucination of being an ego by an activity of the ego. Sorry, but it can't be done. If you try to get rid of your ego ego by an activity of the ego. Sorry, but it can't be done. If you try to get rid of your ego with your ego you will just end up in a vicious circle. You'd be like somebody who worries with your ego you will just end up in a vicious circle. You'd be like somebody who worries because they worry because they worry.because they worry because they worry.

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Alan Watts on SelfUnderneath the superficial self, which pays attention to this Underneath the superficial self, which pays attention to this and that, there is another self more really us than I. And the and that, there is another self more really us than I. And the more you become aware of the unknown self -- if you become more you become aware of the unknown self -- if you become aware of it -- the more you realize that it is inseparably aware of it -- the more you realize that it is inseparably connected with everything else that is. You are a function of connected with everything else that is. You are a function of this total galaxy, bounded by the Milky Way, and this galaxy this total galaxy, bounded by the Milky Way, and this galaxy is a function of all other galaxies. You are that vast thing that is a function of all other galaxies. You are that vast thing that you see far, far off with great telescopes. You look and look, you see far, far off with great telescopes. You look and look, and one day you are going to wake up and say, "Why, that's and one day you are going to wake up and say, "Why, that's me!" And in knowing that, you know that you never die. You me!" And in knowing that, you know that you never die. You are the eternal thing that comes and goes, that appears -- are the eternal thing that comes and goes, that appears -- now as John Jones, now as Mary Smith, now as Betty Brown now as John Jones, now as Mary Smith, now as Betty Brown -- and so it goes, forever and ever and ever.-- and so it goes, forever and ever and ever.

Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.

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Alan Watts on God

The difficulty for most of us in the modern world is that the The difficulty for most of us in the modern world is that the old-fashioned idea of God has become incredible or old-fashioned idea of God has become incredible or implausible. When we look through our telescopes and implausible. When we look through our telescopes and microscopes, or when we just look at nature, we have a microscopes, or when we just look at nature, we have a problem. problem.

Somehow the idea of God we get from the holy scriptures Somehow the idea of God we get from the holy scriptures doesn't seem to fit the world around us, just as you wouldn't doesn't seem to fit the world around us, just as you wouldn't ascribe a composition by Stravinsky to Bach. The style of ascribe a composition by Stravinsky to Bach. The style of God venerated in the church, mosque, or synagogue seems God venerated in the church, mosque, or synagogue seems completely different from the style of the natural universe. completely different from the style of the natural universe. It's hard to conceive of the author of the other.It's hard to conceive of the author of the other.

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Alan Watts on “Nothing”

The idea of nothing has bugged people for centuries, especially in the The idea of nothing has bugged people for centuries, especially in the Western world. We have a saying in Latin, Ex nihilo nihil fit, which Western world. We have a saying in Latin, Ex nihilo nihil fit, which means "out of nothing comes nothing." It has occurred to me that this is a means "out of nothing comes nothing." It has occurred to me that this is a fallacy of tremendous proportions. It lies at the root of all our common fallacy of tremendous proportions. It lies at the root of all our common sense, not only in the West, but in many parts of the East as well. It sense, not only in the West, but in many parts of the East as well. It manifests in a kind of terror of nothing, a put-down on nothing, and a manifests in a kind of terror of nothing, a put-down on nothing, and a put-down on everything associated with nothing, such as sleep, passivity, put-down on everything associated with nothing, such as sleep, passivity, rest, and even the feminine principles. rest, and even the feminine principles.

But to me nothing -- the negative, the empty - is exceedingly powerful. I But to me nothing -- the negative, the empty - is exceedingly powerful. I would say, on the contrary, you can't have something without nothing. would say, on the contrary, you can't have something without nothing. Image nothing but space, going on and on, with nothing in it forever. But Image nothing but space, going on and on, with nothing in it forever. But there you are imagining it, and you are something in it. The whole idea of there you are imagining it, and you are something in it. The whole idea of there being only space, and nothing else at all, is not only inconceivable there being only space, and nothing else at all, is not only inconceivable but perfectly meaningless, because we always know what we mean by but perfectly meaningless, because we always know what we mean by contrast. contrast.

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Thank YouThank You

Ivan FrimmelIvan Frimmel

Cell: 082-454-0311Cell: 082-454-0311

E-mail: ivan.frimmel@nanhua.co.zaE-mail: ivan.frimmel@nanhua.co.za