Alan Watts

Highlighting the topic of reality, existence, and the nature of knowledge, Alan Watts is one of the more familiar philosophical writers, speakers, and devout critics of society.

Contrary to many philosophers before and after him, he demonstrated to his audience how to construct their own meaning of life and emphasized man’s participatory relationship with nature.

He was born an only child January 6th, 1915 in a small town near London, England to a middle class couple. His mother was an attentive housewife and his father was a representative for the London tire manufacturer, Michelin Tyre.

Watts was raised in a predominantly Christian household, starting his education at the kindergarten school at Saint Nicholas. The school also provided religious training, a service described as “grim” as it went against his desire of storybook fables and romantic tales of the mysterious Far East.

From an early age, he became deeply in touch with nature, learning the names of butterflies and wildflowers. While ill with a fever as a child, he developed a fascination with Japanese and Asian art after his mother received authentic paintings and embroideries from missionaries returning from China.

He later wrote, “I was aesthetically fascinated with a certain clarity, transparency, and spaciousness in Chinese and Japanese art. It seemed to float.” This would coincide with his devotion to the spiritual practice of Zen and his 1957 best selling book The Way of Zen.

Watts was a deep thinker who encouraged contemplation on life, humanity, and creation; in his prolific 58 years of life, he famously introduced Eastern wisdom to the contemporary West and is regarded as the most important interpreter.

His love for Zen began as a school student, and while still in his teens, he had the opportunity to travel to France with Buddhist enthusiast, Francis Croshaw. The wealthy Epicurean would be influential towards Watts and would open his eyes to Buddhism and its practices.

He had sought membership in the London Buddhist Lodge, which was established by Theosophists, a religious group who teaches the theory of God, and was then run by his mentor Christmas Humphreys.

He became the organization’s secretary at the age of 16 and experimented with many different styles of meditation during this time.

Watts died in his sleep on November 16, 1973 of heart failure, and because of an earlier lecture detailing his funeral, many believe he predicted his death. He was a heavy smoker throughout his entire life and was increasingly becoming a heavy drinker.

He published over 25 published books and 400 audio talks piquing the interest of many on the topics of philosophy and psychology and his fresh spirit is still present in the thoughts and aspirations of those who listen to him.