http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#fb476294-57a0-41e8-bc60-76cdbe0b5a3c I got switched on to AW with "The Book" which was a good introduction loaned to me by a friend and a real Copernican shift for me that resonated well. After that I moved over to audio and have not gone back to print. Much of that is my preference of that medium. His work has helped me a lot with perspective, the way I listen to music, and art that I build for Burning Man. His reference to tathata or "suchness" is inspiring and I hope to continue with "a language of pointing". Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:17:05 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#fb476294-57a0-41e8-bc60-76cdbe0b5a3c Jelly 2008-12-27T06:17:05Z http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#07558edb-63a9-4f39-9127-1facf59e541f Thanks for the response. I have The Book as mp3 but haven't listened to it yet. I am currently listening to Out Of Your Mind. So maybe I'll queue up The Book next. I think I read somewhere that Alan never actually finished The Watercourse Way and it was his son that finished it for him. I tried reading Tao Te Ching years ago and it never really done much for me. Totally personal view of course, I understand (from the person that recommended it to me at the time) that it is a good book. I just never got into it so stopped shortly after starting. I do not know anything about Alans personal life/flaws. Pretty much all I know is he died in the 1970's and there is some kind of 'tongue in cheek' comment about him dying with a balloon???? Oh, and from what I read he was an alcoholic. Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:53:46 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#07558edb-63a9-4f39-9127-1facf59e541f Paul 2008-11-27T20:53:46Z http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#77f5d96f-fa39-4fbc-a853-6be64301ca92 Thanks for the response. I know what you mean, he seems to be very down to earth in the way he talks. He does *not* have a 'holier than thou' type of ignorance like some people can. Have you ever listened to any Jack Kornfield? I am not saying they are the same or saying one is better than the other. For me I like Alan as he is sort of the 'new kid on the block' for me. But I find their way of lecturing most enriching. Wow, 90 hours. Thats a lot of listening. I never realised there was that much out there. I would love a copy of that audio you have. I will message you with my email address. Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:41:09 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#77f5d96f-fa39-4fbc-a853-6be64301ca92 Paul 2008-11-27T20:41:09Z http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#a80ecd74-92a1-440c-beed-059ce2bc156c You are right, I love Tribe. I see it as like a forum of forums. I find after listening to his audio maybe a day or so later I start really thinking about what he said and find I have opinions on things I never realised I had before. Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:35:42 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#a80ecd74-92a1-440c-beed-059ce2bc156c Paul 2008-11-27T20:35:42Z http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#02596644-25e1-434e-ba8d-0e57f1245982 I am getting used to the way Tribe works a bit now. Trying to find the setting where it will email me when people respond to my posts? ;) I think I am inclined to agree with you. I love listening to him, although his writing is just as insightful there is something about the way he lectures. I find the same with Jack Kornfield, he has a very calming voice and is pleasant to listen to. And yes, the whole world needs to chill out and not take life too seriously. Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:33:48 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#02596644-25e1-434e-ba8d-0e57f1245982 Paul 2008-11-27T20:33:48Z http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#7e1a53f9-0a81-419a-be68-3f0010877dec I discovered Alan Watts through his books. Only recently have I listened to his archived talks. The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are was recommended to me on an internet forum. I've read The Watercourse Way, his last work, on the Tao. I also picked up a little book on meditation that is a compilation from his radio show. The Book introduced me to the concepts of non-dual thinking and gave my personal thought processes and philosophy a much needed jolt. I had read the Tao Te Ching and it deeply resonated with me. I found The Watercourse Way a very helpful companion. I'm not sure Alan Watts inspires me per se. However when I want to learn about an Eastern philosophy I turn to Watts for a straight forward, accurate teaching in a language I can understand. I have a great deal of respect for his scholarship. Knowing now of his character flaws and a bit of his personal history endears me to him even more, as I have empathy with flawed, intelligent people going against the norm. I do enjoy listening to him, his humor and character really comes through. Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:56:27 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#7e1a53f9-0a81-419a-be68-3f0010877dec eric 2008-11-26T13:56:27Z http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#c922e078-b89c-4ef8-943a-a0170afc2ce3 Hello! i found out about Alan Watts some years ago when a friend introduced me to his recorded lectures. i found his delivery of complex ideas to be clear, engaging and deeply profound and no other guru or spiritual guide that i have come across is as enriching with their importing of eastern idea's as he. He is so able to express wisdoms that had been hard for my western mind to digest - ideas such as 'upaya', 'karma', 'indeterminacy of language', 'purpose', 'zen' and 'taoism'. My collection of taped lectures now runs to about 90hrs (250 lectures), so it's a little difficult to say which is my favourite. currently though i've been listening to "seeing through the net" (email me and i can send you a copy of it). wishing you all a fine day, Jak Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:47:28 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#c922e078-b89c-4ef8-943a-a0170afc2ce3 Jak 2008-11-26T12:47:28Z http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#b37928b2-3910-4343-8030-c364c5f7a562 Richard. Your post is perfect. Ditto on Richard Paul. Fo show brutha! And Paul. I could be wrong. But I think Tribe will become one of your most fave sites on the entire www soon. It's just a matter of time. Tribe is the total shiznit yo!!! Youre gonna love it. 1 ) A hip guy at a fab used book store in SF. 2 ) http://www.amazon.com/My-Own-Way-Autobiography/dp/1577315847/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227458389&sr=1-7 3 ) Just with his words and personality. He's an icon as far as I'm concerned. He inspires me to think. To want to keep living and moving forward. To inspire a strong desire of the possibilities life has to offer. Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:34:06 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#b37928b2-3910-4343-8030-c364c5f7a562 Mr. M 2008-11-23T16:34:06Z http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#74cccf38-e206-478b-a977-3a8af1f19f30 Welcome to Tribe, Paul. I think you may like it here. IMO this is one of the best self-selected demographic pools on the web. The water's fine. 1. I stumbled across him too. They used to play his lectures on my local public radio several years ago. For a long time I only knew him as "that guy who talks cool about Eastern philosophy". It wasn't until about five years ago I finally put a name to that voice. 2. Having been introduced to his voice before reading his printed words, I have to say I'm partial to his spoken delivery. There's a gentle enthusiasm and love of the material that makes his recordings a priceless experience. 3. He's seriously well studied, but doesn't take himself too seriously. Man, we could all use a bit of that now and then, yes? Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:31:12 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#74cccf38-e206-478b-a977-3a8af1f19f30 Richard 2008-11-23T05:31:12Z http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#348c743a-1189-47fc-808e-76e1f62c0e99 Hi all, I stumbled upon the works of Alan watts by accident. I was trying to find out if I had everything possible by Jack Kornfield and somewhere on my travels Alans name was given to me. I have listened to his Meditation for Beginners, well, half way through and I have a couple of books by him. The Wisdom of Insecurity and Become What You Are I haven't begun them yet but will do soon. As I'm new to both Alan Watts and Tribe can I ask a few quick questions: 1. How did you find out about Alan watts? 2. What is your favourite book/audio piece? 3. How does he inspire you (for want of a different phrase) Thanks, Paul Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:10:55 GMT http://alanwatts.tribe.net/thread/3bb08283-7722-43d7-bf1c-808b966147fc#348c743a-1189-47fc-808e-76e1f62c0e99 Paul 2008-11-23T04:10:55Z