A
Alan Watts
Alan Wilson Watts (January 6, 1915 – November 16, 1973) was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience.
Tao
Synopsis
Alan Watts's final book, completed with the help of calligrapher and tai chi teacher Al Chung-liang Huang after Watts's death in 1973. It distills Watts's view of Taoism through four basic principles — the Yin-Yang polarity, the Tao, Wu-wei (effortless action), and Te — drawing on ancient and modern sources and illustrated with calligraphic samples of the Chinese texts discussed. As in his earlier The Way of Zen, Watts treats Eastern philosophy as a practical way of living: observing the natural world and moving with it rather than imposing on it.
Genres
Frequently asked questions
Is Tao by Alan Watts a good starting point for his work?
This book serves as an excellent introduction to Alan Watts's interpretations of Eastern philosophy, particularly Taoism, making it accessible for readers new to his extensive body of work.
How does Al Chung-liang Huang contribute to this book?
Al Chung-liang Huang, a tai chi master, provides a practical, embodied dimension to Watts's philosophical insights, offering exercises and perspectives that ground the abstract concepts in physical experience.