The Book On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

A revelatory primer on what it means to be human, from "the perfect guide for a course correction in life" (Deepak Chopra)—and a mind-opening manual of initiation into the central mystery of existence. At the root of human conflict is our fundamental misunderstanding of who we are. The illusion that we are isolated beings, unconnected to the rest of the universe, has led us to view the “outside” world with hostility, and has fueled our misuse of technology and our violent and hostile subjugation of the natural world. To help us understand that the self is in fact the root and ground of the universe, Watts has crafted a revelatory primer on what it means to be human—and a mind-opening manual of initiation into the central mystery of existence. In The Book, Alan Watts provides us with a much-needed answer to the problem of personal identity, distilling and adapting the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta..

The Book On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are explores an unrecognised but mighty taboo - our tacit conspiracy to ignore who, or what, we really are. Alan Watts, key thinker of Western Zen Buddhism, explains how to reconsider our relationship with the world. We are in urgent need of a sense of our own existence, which is in accord with the physical facts and which overcomes our feeling of alienation from the universe. In The Book On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, Alan Watts asks what causes the illusion of the self as a separate ego which confronts a universe of physical objects that are alien to it. Rather, a person's identity binds them to the physical universe, creating a relationship with their environment and other people. The separation of the self and the physical world leads to the misuse of technology and the attempt to violently subjugate man's natural environment, leading to its destruction. Watts urges against the idea that we are separate from the world. Nowhere is this idea more apparent than in the concept of cultural taboos. The biggest taboo of all is knowing who we really are behind the mask of our self as presented to the world. Through our focus on ourselves and the world as it affects us, we have developed narrowed perception. Alan Watts tells us how to open our eyes and see ourselves not as coming into the world but from it. In understanding the individual's real place in the universe, Watts presents a critique of Western culture and a healing alternative..

From the luminary and prophetic Alan Watts, an invitation to embrace pleasure, play, and connection in our ever-evolving world “If you were God,” asked Alan Watts, “what kind of universe would you create? A perfect one free of suffering and drama? Or one filled with surprise and delight?” From the 1950s to the 1970s, Eastern spiritual philosophies sparked in the West profound new ways of perceiving ourselves, the mysteries of reality, and the unfolding destiny of humanity. And through his live gatherings and radio talks, Alan Watts was at the forefront—igniting astonishing insights into who we are and where we're heading. Based on a legendary series of seminars, Just So illuminates three fascinating domains: money versus real wealth, the spirituality of a deeper materialism, and how technology and spirituality are both guiding us to ever greater interconnection in the universe that we find ourselves in. Along the way, readers will explore many other themes, at turns humorous, prescient, and more relevant today than ever. What unfolds is a liberating view of humanity that arises from possibility and the unpredictable—perfect and “just so,” not in spite of its messy imperfections, but because of them. Book highlights: 1. Going With - Theology and the Laws of Nature - Thinking Makes It So - Everything Is Context - Going With - What We Mean by Intelligence - Ecological Awareness - Of Gods and Puppets 2. Civilizing Technology - The Problem of Abstractions - We Need a New Analogy - Working with the Field of Forces - Trust - Synergy and the One World Town - Privacy, Artificiality, and the Self - Groups and Crowds 3. Money and Materialism - The Material Is the Spiritual - Money and the Good Life - True Materialism - Wiggles, Seriousness, and the Fear of Pleasure - The Failure of Money and Technology - The Problem of Guilt 4. In Praise of Swinging - Rigidity and Identity - Now Is Where the World Begins - Are We Going to Make It? - Polarization and Contrast - No Escape 5. What Is So of Itself - Spontaneity and the Unborn Mind - Relaxation, Religion, and Rituals - Saving the World.

This introduction to the writings of Frithjof Schuon (1907-1998), the pre-eminent spokesman of the Perennialist or Traditionalist school of comparative religious thought, is the first book to present a comprehensive study of his intellectual and spiritual message. In addition to a clear explanation of Schuon's message of metaphysics and the great religions, Oldmeadow includes an overview of Schuon's paintings and poetry, and insights on prayer and virtue in the spiritual life..

Alan Watts introduced millions of Western readers to Zen and other Eastern philosophies. But he is also recognized as a brilliant commentator on Judeo-Christian traditions, as well as a celebrity philosopher who exemplified the ideas — and lifestyle — of the 1960s counterculture. In this compilation of controversial lectures that Watts delivered at American universities throughout the sixties, he challenges readers to reevaluate Western culture's most hallowed constructs. Watts treads the familiar ground of interpreting Eastern traditions, but he also covers new territory, exploring the counterculture's basis in the ancient tribal and shamanic cultures of Asia, Siberia, and the Americas. In the process, he addresses some of the era's most important questions: What is the nature of reality? How does an individual's relationship to society affect this reality? Filled with Watts's playful, provocative style, the talks show the remarkable scope of a philosopher at his prime, exploring and defining the sixties counterculture as only Alan Watts could..

Explores language and mysticism, Buddhism and Zen, Christianity, comparative religion, psychedelics, and psychology and psychotherapy. To commemorate the 2015 centenary of the birth of Alan Watts (1915–1973), Peter J. Columbus and Donadrian L. Rice have assembled a much-needed collection of Watts’s scholarly essays and lectures. Compiled from professional journals, monographs, scholarly books, conferences, and symposia proceedings, the volume sheds valuable light on the developmental arc of Watts’s thinking about language and mysticism, Buddhism and Zen, Christianity, comparative religion, psychedelics, and psychology and psychotherapy. This definitive collection challenges Watts’s reputation as a “popularizer” or “philosophical entertainer,” revealing his concerns to be much more expansive and transdisciplinary than is suggested by the parochial “Zen Buddhist” label commonly affixed to his writings. The editors’ authoritative introduction elucidates contemporary perspectives on Watts’s life and work, and supports a bold rethinking of his contributions to psychology, philosophy, and religion. “This excellent volume is important in establishing Watts as perhaps the most important Western thinker and writer on Eastern religions and philosophy, as well as comparative religions, of the twentieth century.” — John W. Traphagan, author of Rethinking Autonomy: A Critique of Principlism in Biomedical Ethics.

In a world where fear, crisis, and insufficiency dominate the media and many personal lives, the notion of claiming contentment may seem fantastic or even heretical. Yet finding sufficiency right where you stand may be the answer to a world obsessed with lack. In his warm, down-to-earth, and believable style, Alan Cohen offers fresh, unique, and uplifting angles on coming to peace with what is before you and turning mundane situations into opportunities to gain wisdom, power, and happiness that does not depend on other people or conditions. Peppered with many true-life anecdotes and inspiring examples, Enough Already embraces the desire for change and improvement as part of the journey. Sometimes getting fed up with situations that are not working delivers the impetus to create better ones. You will be moved, illuminated, and tickled to find that what you seek may already be within your grasp and surely within your potential. If contentment is radical, then this book may well spur a revolution of well-being!.

A revelatory primer on what it means to be human, from "the perfect guide for a course correction in life" (Deepak Chopra)—and a mind-opening manual of initiation into the central mystery of existence. At the root of human conflict is our fundamental misunderstanding of who we are. The illusion that we are isolated beings, unconnected to the rest of the universe, has led us to view the “outside” world with hostility, and has fueled our misuse of technology and our violent and hostile subjugation of the natural world. To help us understand that the self is in fact the root and ground of the universe, Watts has crafted a revelatory primer on what it means to be human—and a mind-opening manual of initiation into the central mystery of existence. In The Book, Alan Watts provides us with a much-needed answer to the problem of personal identity, distilling and adapting the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta..

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In a world where fear, crisis and insufficiency dominate the media and many personal lives, the notion of claiming contentment may seem fantastic or even heretical. Yet finding sufficiency right where you stand may be the answer to a world obsessed with lack. In his warm, down-to-earth, and believable style, Alan Cohen offers fresh, unique, and uplifting angles on coming to peace with what is before you. He shows you how to turn mundane situations into opportunities to gain wisdom, power and happiness that does not depend on other people or conditions. Peppered with many true-life anecdotes and inspiring examples, Radical Contentment embraces the desire for change and improvement as part of the journey. Sometimes getting fed up with situations that are not working delivers the impetus to create better ones. You will be moved, illuminated, and tickled to find that what you seek may already be within your grasp and surely within your potential. If contentment is radical, then this book may well spur a revolution of wellbeing!.

The New Manhood by Australia’s world-renowned family activist Steve Biddulph is the most influential book written for generations on the lives of men. For twenty years, Steve Biddulph’s groundbreaking book Manhood and the revised edition, The New Manhood, have had a remarkable impact around the world. Thousands of men have reconciled with their fathers, become more involved with their children, rejuvenated their marriages and made sweeping changes to their lives. This book explores every aspect of a man’s life in an honest and uplifting way: love, friendship, sex, marriage, raising children, spirituality and finding your true work – all in plain language and illuminated with powerful, real-life stories. This is the handbook for men of all ages, and for the women who love them – now with a new foreword by the author, ‘Delivering the Male’. ‘Steve Biddulph is a spellbinder.’ Charles Wooley, 60 Minutes ‘I wish Steve Biddulph had been my dad.’ Sam de Brito, author of The Lost Boys and Hello Darkness ‘Read this book and you’ll make the world a better place.’ Richard Glover, author of The Land Before Avocado ‘The world needs New Men . . . Steve Biddulph is a trustworthy guide.’ Noel Giblett, relationship counsellor ‘This landmark work is for those who truly want to understand and nurture the men and boys in their lives, and for men who want to understand themselves better’ Maggie Hamilton, author of What Men Don’t Talk About.

This insightful book critically reviews and presents an accessible introduction to the life and work of one of the most celebrated modern psychoanalysts, Michael Eigen. With work spanning over five decades, countless articles, and thirty published book volumes, Daws explores Eigen’s main works through key themes and concepts such as working with our psychotic core, psychic deadness, primary affects, and the need for spirituality for practicing psychoanalysts. The book covers Eigen’s early life and formative clinical years, explores his re-reading of Freud, Jung and Lacan, and lastly covers Eigen’s Seoul seminars, the impact of trauma, the importance of faith and the use of Kabbalah as a framework for analysis. This book will not only engage the first-time Eigen reader, but will also be of much interest to the experienced psychologist and psychoanalyst already familiar with Eigen’s work..

Today, many of us live under the impact of cultural pressures urging us to adopt an independent, me-first (or us-first) orientation towards life. "Born into Unity: Embracing Our Common Spirituality" urges us to do the opposite. This collection of essays encourages readers to acknowledge our fundamental togetherness—our interdependence—and reflect on its implications for everyday life. It reminds us that we are always co-creators rather than solitary makers of our experiences. And because our basic personal attributes and experiences are universal, it speaks about spirituality in a way that looks beyond the boundaries of specific religions. In the light of our common spirituality, "Born into Unity" points to the obvious but often overlooked insight that we participate most fully and creatively in the growth and development of both ourselves and our world by embracing the unity into which we have been born..

In A Daily Sip of Joy and Peace, Eleanor Hooks assures us that joy and peace are always present in our lives, in spite of daily challenges and failed attempts to make sense out of the pain and suffering. Each daily essay is a sip -- a small, soothing elixir much like a calming cup of tea. With the authors guidance, we explore our relationship with a powerful presence; learn the importance of kindness and compassion; appreciate and honor all livings things; and set aside all worries and fears. We explore what it means to work with integrity, and to value the creative energy we all have within us. We learn to notice how love shows up for us and through us, and to ultimately become aware that nothing is lacking in our lives. Eleanor Hooks shares lovingly her insights into the nature of joy and peace, and invites you to enjoy the daily sips..

Greater coherence follows in every aspect of our lives when we learn to use the magical tool of consciousness. Diana Durham shows that we do this by connecting to our deeper self. She draws on her unique understanding of myth and ancient sacred texts as well as time spent in dialogue with theoretical physicist David Bohm to guide us on the path to personal coherence. In a poetic, accessible style, Diana argues passionately that understanding who we are and how we work is not only the key to individual fulfilment, but also the way through to a sustainable future for us all..

Dialogues with Michael Eigen spans 20 years of diverse interviews and interactions with the acclaimed psychologist Michael Eigen, including interlocutors from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Sweden, Israel, and the United States, published together for the first time. This book explores the importance of soul reveries, psychoanalytic "prayers", and cultivation of psychoanalytic "faith" in Eigen’s work. The dialogues lay out Eigen’s privileging of emotions as messengers in need of recognition, as welcoming inner gestures for incubation, enabling a deep vitalizing contact of being with oneself and others. Eigen reminds us that struggling with one’s personality remains a life-long task, exposing us to various existential sufferings, agonies, traumas, and losses in need of soul confession, if not analytic prayer. The book seeks to help readers find, touch, and work with emotional realities a little better and support a growing intimate, creative relation to ourselves. The rich explorations of the interviews and interactions with Eigen help contribute to further appreciation of our experiential life and worlds it opens. Building on his work on mind–body–soul connections, Dialogues with Michael Eigen is an essential book for anyone interested in the spiritual side of psychoanalysis..

In order to come to your senses, Alan Watts often said, you sometimes need to go out of your mind. Out of Your Mind brings readers, for the first time, six of this legendary thinker's most engaging teachings on how to break through the limits of the rational mind.Offering answers to generations of spiritual seekers, Alan Watts is the voice for all who search for an understanding of their identity and role in the world.For those both new and familiar with Watts, this book invites us to delve into his favourite pathways out of the trap of conventional awareness: discover art of the "controlled accident" - what happens when you stop taking your life so seriously and start enjoying it with complete sincerity.Embrace chaos to discover your deepest purpose.How do we come to believe "the myth of myself" - that we are skin-encapsulated egos separate from the world around us-and how to transcend that illusion?Find the miracle that occurs when we stop taking life so seriously..