The Way of Zen: Discover How the Understanding and Practice of Zen Can Bring Peace and Enlightenment Into Your Daily Life Audiobook, by Alan Watts Play Audiobook Sample

The Way of Zen: Discover How the Understanding and Practice of Zen Can Bring Peace and Enlightenment Into Your Daily Life Audiobook

The Way of Zen: Discover How the Understanding and Practice of Zen Can Bring Peace and Enlightenment Into Your Daily Life Audiobook, by Alan Watts Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Alan Watts, Ralph Blum Publisher: Macmillan Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 2.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: February 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781427208330

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

36

Longest Chapter Length:

08:40 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:49 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

04:58 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

13

Other Audiobooks Written by Alan Watts: > View All...

Publisher Description

Discover how the understanding and practice of Zen can bring peace and enlightenment into your daily life in this classic work. Narrated by Sean Runnette, this audio program presents Alan Watts's classic bestseller, introducing Western listeners to Zen Buddhism and elaborating on the key concepts including: • The history of Zen • The principles and practice of Zen • The tradition of Za-Zen (meditation) and the Koan • The integration of Zen into every aspect of life THE WAY OF ZEN presents an understandable, inspirational, and spiritually rewarding exploration of Zen Buddhism—a way of liberation—that may be one of the most precious gifts of Asia to the world.

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"The best primer I've read on the subject. Offers the most clear cut explanations of what can be on the surface very obtuse subject matter (The basic, principal, philosophical evolution of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and how all those blended into Zen, and Zen's own development from China to Japan) Manages to read both poetically and academically, but most importantly, clearly."

— Brandon (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • No one has given such a concise...introduction to the whole history of this Far Eastern development of Buddhist thought as Alan Watts.

    — Joseph Campbell, author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces

The Way of Zen Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.26666666666667 out of 54.26666666666667 out of 54.26666666666667 out of 54.26666666666667 out of 54.26666666666667 out of 5 (4.27)
5 Stars: 16
4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Not as consistantly enlightening as The Watercourse Way, Watts nonetheless never hits a false note. A good introduction but, reluctantly, not the best. B+ "

    — Zen, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " One of about 4 books I am actively trying to read to finish. I have tried too many times and have to stop because it gets too intense for me or I don't understand it. "

    — Jason, 2/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " this is a great book on zen. one of the most enlightening books ive read, and the only book ive ever read twice. working on it again this year actually. "

    — Shane, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " sovna "

    — Kjell, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Pause for thought indeed. Will revisit I'm sure. "

    — Judi, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Brilliant book. Great introduction to Zen for those of us steeped in western dualism. I wasn't expecting this book to be so funny. The ancient masters were hilarious as well as profound. "

    — Andy, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was my first really good introduction to Eastern thought. "

    — Jon, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book speaks the unspeakable truths of Zen. Some of it may seem redundant as it is all relatively speaking getting at the same point, however if you look past that, the vast amount of proverbs, sayings, and other quotes give you a better understanding of the simple truths of Zen. I thoroughly recommend this book! "

    — Travis, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A somewhat academic history of Zen. I prefer when Watts writes more on expansive ideas and thinking patterns. Having said that Watts is not to be pigeon-holed, his writing is phenomenal be it an essay on alchemy or a history of Zen. This book is for students of Zen or huge Watts fans like I am. "

    — Jake, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Alan Watts is in the top 5 people to read in order to enlighten yourself list. "

    — Caspinlange, 11/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " makes more/less sense now than it did in highschool? "

    — Greg, 10/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Why yell at the egg for not being a chicken? "

    — Isabelle, 10/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Very good explanation on what is Zen .. Still an intellectual book that give just a shade reflection of the real zen experience "

    — Mazen, 4/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of the first books I read about Zen. I actually understood. Watts is clear and fun. A guru to me.Classic the best. Must read for anyone interested in Zen. I love everything Watts. "

    — Peacenow, 3/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Read this two years ago. Less mind-blowing, but more meaningful now with some context. Still the best overall introduction to Zen. And very short. "

    — Ryan, 2/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " More a treatment of Buddhism than Zen, this is still a valuable book. Watts has a way of explaining the Eastern mind to westerners that's hard to beat. "

    — Obi, 12/29/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " You could skip to part two if you wanted to. This is where the the ' impro ' ideas of ' not blocking ' and ' saying yes ' must have come from. "

    — BAKU, 8/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " ego-death did not occur "

    — Brad, 11/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A truly beautiful, intriguing look into the world of Buddhism. Recommended to any intrigued by the ideas of zen. "

    — Anna, 10/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " eastern buddhism seen through western eyes. A classic. "

    — Alex, 9/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is Zen for scholars. "

    — Curtis, 8/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Written to simplify the idea of Zen to the Western world, Watts takes the mystisicm out of a way of life and uses practical applications to relate the material to us. If you're interested in the topic historically or otherwise, this one is worth the read. "

    — doug, 4/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A two part book that gives great insight into the history of zen as well as the practice of something utterly unnameable. "

    — Tom, 4/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " One of about 4 books I am actively trying to read to finish. I have tried too many times and have to stop because it gets too intense for me or I don't understand it. "

    — Jason, 2/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Watts has gotten me by the astral throat since page one. "

    — Zoo, 12/6/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Maybe it's having read Suzuki before reading this, but I found Watts' background and description of Zen to be simultaneously clear and mind-bending. I believe I am forever changed for having read this. "

    — Nikolaus, 7/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of the first books I read about Zen. I actually understood. Watts is clear and fun. A guru to me.Classic the best. Must read for anyone interested in Zen. I love everything Watts. "

    — Peacenow, 6/23/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A truly beautiful, intriguing look into the world of Buddhism. Recommended to any intrigued by the ideas of zen. "

    — Anna, 4/16/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Read this one and Suzuki's Zen Buddhhism, both awesome "

    — Michael, 4/8/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " OMG! this books smiles with simplicity, you will nod to your music wondering why sudden enlightenment seems to be so orchestral in your studio?? "

    — Gypsy, 12/17/2009

About Alan Watts

Alan W. Watts (1915–1973) was instrumental in introducing Eastern thought to Western civilization. He held both a master’s degree in theology and a doctorate of divinity and is best known as an interpreter of Indian and Chinese philosophy in general and Zen Buddhism in particular. He earned his reputation as one of the most original philosophers of the century and was the author of thirty-three books, and hundreds of articles, on philosophy and religion.