Tao: The Watercourse Way: Watts, Alan: 9780394733111: Amazon.com: Books (original) (raw)
Customers say
Customers find the book well-written and witty. They also describe the content as a great introduction to philosophical Daoism. Readers mention the text is a beautiful testament to Taoism.
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24 customers mention "Readability"24 positive0 negative
Customers find the book excellent, well-written, and easy to read and understand. They say it's a beautiful testament to Taoism. Readers also mention the style flows well and celebrates the message.
"Although I enjoyed Watts' scholarly analysis and excellent writing, he went a little too far in his vindication of 'Eastern' values and indictment..." Read more
"...(a discourse on the Chinese language), but then moves smoothly into the subject matter...." Read more
"A easy read. Many placing I have highlighted for reference." Read more
"...without being stuffy... in fact... quite to the contrary as this book is fun because you can feel the joy in the soul of the author in every word." Read more
18 customers mention "Scholarly content"16 positive2 negative
Customers find the book's content intellectual, insightful, and competent. They say it has excellent and entertaining insights into Eastern philosophy. Readers also appreciate Watts' incredible job explaining difficult concepts. In addition, they say the book is scholarly without being stuffy.
"Although I enjoyed Watts' scholarly analysis and excellent writing, he went a little too far in his vindication of 'Eastern' values and indictment..." Read more
"...TTWW is not only a competent introduction to Taoism, but also an accessible bridge between Taoist Chinese ideas and the more compartmental western..." Read more
"...The book is scholarly without being stuffy... in fact... quite to the contrary as this book is fun because you can feel the joy in the soul of the..." Read more
"...'s "Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain." I found this book scholarly, well researched but not my favorite. ." Read more
4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative
Customers find the book worth the money and say it's a valuable addition to their libraries.
"A little out of date, but worth the read if you're interested in Taoism." Read more
"...to mention that the book was in perfect condition & definitely worth the price. I totally recommend buying from the seller!" Read more
"...I would say it's worth your money if you want to leave no stone unturned in regards to Tao." Read more
"A valued addition to our library...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2016
Although I enjoyed Watts' scholarly analysis and excellent writing, he went a little too far in his vindication of 'Eastern' values and indictment of 'Western' values. I would give the reader two points on which I disagree with Watts. First, it's ill-advised to conceive of an 'Eastern' philosophy. It's nothing more than a category to put things in. The same is true of 'Western' philosophy. To see this, read a few verses attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus or the Yankee mystic Emerson, especially his essays titled 'Circles' and 'The Over-Soul'. You'll find that these 'Western' philosophers have some very 'Eastern' ideas. I expected Watts to explain this to the reader so that they understood that 'Eastern' and 'Western' are just arbitrary, albeit useful categories that shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Second, Eastern and Western civilization are not as different as he suggests. For example, although some Chinese characters seem more natural than the Latin alphabet, the Chinese written language has become nearly as abstract as the Latin alphabet. Watts' insinuation that Chinese language more accurately conveys reality is a bit of a stretch, as is his idea that Eastern civilization is less neurotic than Western civilization. A quick reading of Chinese history reveals that Chinese encountered the same tendency to 'order the world' as their European and Ottoman counterparts.
Those two points aside, Watts delivers an excellent introduction to Taoism. I should mention the caveat that 'Taoism' is not really a system of thought like Confucianism, but a useful category to put related ideas into. Chuang Tzu did not think of himself as a disciple of Lao Tzu; Han historians falsely (or accurately?) envisioned them as belonging to a single stream of thought like Legalism or Confucianism. On a related note, Watts gives a well-thought description of the Tao on pg. 55:
"But if, as is the case, the Tao is simply inconceivable, what is the use of having the word and of saying anything at all about it? Simply because we know intuitively that there is a dimension of ourselves and of nature which eludes us because it is too close, too general, and too all-embracing to be singled out as a particular object."
This is the essence of the philosophy, and he goes on in the long paragraph to further explain it. Not unlike the scientific concept of electricity, the Tao is not a thing at all, but a certain dimension that we cannot quite explain (the word 'dimension' doesn't do it justice). In that way, the Tao is no more mystical than science. Watts includes a passage from a scientist writing about electricity and correctly calls it 'pure metaphysics'. Empirical experiments only give us snippets of observed reality, which is different from reality itself, for the very observation of a thing changes it. The Tao underlies this reality, and is not observable. But it doesn't matter if we have an incomplete and inaccurate view of the cosmos since we need only 'go with the flow' and understand that the nature of reality is unknowable. This leads to a more tolerant, less anxious existence in the modern world.
Watts does an incredible job explaining difficult concepts to his readers. Watts will give you an intuitive understanding of the concepts of action through inaction and te (virtue/virtuality). I may disagree with how he views Eastern and Western society (or societies, as he would put it), but he has achieved something with this small volume that few others could hope to match. At the end of the book I was left curious and wanting more, knowing that this unfinished book was his last; could you ask for more?
40 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2024
A little out of date, but worth the read if you're interested in Taoism.
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2019
If you've ever cracked open the Tao Te Ching, it can be baffling at times. Most frustratingly, the central idea of the Tao is described somewhat ambiguously. It is also clear that there are many unexplained background assumptions at work. I enjoy the reflective quality of the text, but wanted to know more.
TTWW is not only a competent introduction to Taoism, but also an accessible bridge between Taoist Chinese ideas and the more compartmental western mindset. The book begins on a note that feels a bit misplaced (a discourse on the Chinese language), but then moves smoothly into the subject matter. The ways of thinking presented in the book did a great job at challenging my conceptual intuitions about the universe and the beings within it.
And while there are some strange conclusions here and there (this is mostly by Watts!), on balance the reasoning is solid and the text is a beautiful testament to Taoism.
28 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2023
A easy read. Many placing I have highlighted for reference.
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2017
The word of Alan never fails to disappoint. His ability to turn inexplicably complex ideas into something a 5 year old can understand is what separates his philosophical style from the rest, and is what makes this book so unique. Sure, one cannot fully name or explain the Tao, but Alan comes about as close as one could.
I've had people ask me if this book was "actionable". That is to say, did it actually influence my judgment and decision making. The answer is a resounding yes. The tenants and principles of Taoism described in The Watercourse Way provide a very concrete framework to view the world through.
Ultimately: choose nature, be patient, capture essence, and don't forget to keep life playful :)
49 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2017
Alan Watts was one of the most enlightened minds of the twentieth century, and Tao: The Watercourse Way is the culmination of that enlightenment. The book is scholarly without being stuffy... in fact... quite to the contrary as this book is fun because you can feel the joy in the soul of the author in every word.
19 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2022
I love everything Alan Watts. But the seller included a handwritten note and clearly cares for their customers. If I could guarantee every book purchase would come from them, I would return everytime.
5 people found this helpful
Top reviews from other countries
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2024
Great book (life philosophy) - for oneself or as a gift.
Prompt delivery.
5.0 out of 5 stars Es un libro maravilloso y la caligrafía está clara
Reviewed in Spain on January 21, 2024
Tengo el libro en kindle (también en inglés) y lo que pasa es que la caligrafía no podía verla claramente por las limitaciones del formato y quería tener la versión en papel y poder verlo bien.
Es un tamaño pequeño y de bolsillo, lo que buscaba y el libro en sí es absolutamente maravilloso, como siempre Allan Watts explica todo con una claridad excepcional para nuestras mentes occidentales. Una filosofía absolutamente maravillosa que te hace apreciar la cultura china aún más. Un placer, lo recomiendo.
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read as expected from Alan.
Reviewed in the Netherlands on February 11, 2022
I doubt this book will sufficiently explain or convince anyone to nonduality and dao, but maybe it'll be sufficient to whet the appetite for a more indepth study. It is indeed an enjoyable read.
The forewords and afterwords were quite bad, felt forced and pandering, and detracted from the quality of the book. My recommendation is to skip them.
5.0 out of 5 stars I am very happy
Reviewed in Canada on November 27, 2019
I liked that it is available - but then classical spiritual works never go out of style. How I use this product - that is difficult. First, I use it personally and in my work. Second, My clients include Roman Catholic priests, Anglican Ministers, and Religious Science Ministers (RSI) mostly in a way to interpret spiritual concepts within the frame work of their religion. As this it not a religious text if you are looking for a new religion keep looking. If one truly has a concept of their spirituality reading here this might give you an idea how embrace more fully the spiritual nature of your chosen religion. To give you an idea - only - (I can not promoted one over the other) Ancient Tao thought (not the new Tao religious that was orderedf by the Chinese Emperors to control the population). Zen Buddhism (not the Bhuddism that people ran out on the street proclaiming they were now Buddhist because John Lennon of the Beatles said he now a Zen Buddhist - they did not understand the difference. RSI, the one a Calgary Alberta is called the Centre for positive living. The talks there include readings from many different religions (they do not include the sacred texts of Islamic or Jewish faiths since they are only for the devote). Someone published a segment of the Koran in order to inflame western thought against the Islamic people just like Hitler (with the collusion of Poland, Austria, and France) did against the Jews to incite WW2. The world is still paying for religious and spiritual intolerance.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wird man schlauer?
Reviewed in Germany on August 10, 2018
Nicht nach dem ersten Lesen, bei dem man hauptsächlich das liest, was man selbst denkt. Aber vielleicht nach mehreren Anläufen?
Das Englisch ist sehr lesbar, vor allem mit dem eingebauten Wörterbuch und der Text schmiegt sich an vielen Stellen der daoistischen Seele an und erfüllt sie mit dem glücklichen Gefühl, vielleicht doch was zu verstehen.
Hat Spaß gemacht, danke Alan.