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  • In My Own Way

  • By: Alan Watts
  • Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur
  • Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (389 ratings)

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In My Own Way

By: Alan Watts
Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur
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Publisher's summary

Macmillan Audio presents In My Own Way, Alan Watts' acclaimed autobiography, published for the first time in audio.

In this audiobook, Alan Watts tracks his spiritual and philosophical evolution from a child of religious conservatives in rural England to a freewheeling spiritual teacher who challenged Westerners to defy convention and think for themselves. From early in this intellectual life, Watts shows himself to be a philosophical renegade and wide-ranging autodidact who came to Buddhism through the teachings of Christmas Humphreys and D. T. Suzuki.

Told in a nonlinear style, In My Own Way wonderfully combines Watts’ own brand of unconventional philosophy and often hilarious accounts of gurus, celebrities, psychedelic drug experiences, and wry observations of Western culture. A charming foreword written by Watts’ father sets the tone of this warm, funny, and beautifully written story of a compelling figure who encouraged seekers to “follow your own weird” - something he always did himself, as his remarkable account of his life shows.

©1972 Alan Watts (P)2019 Macmillan Audio
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What listeners say about In My Own Way

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Loved This Book

I've been a fan of Watts since I bought "The Wisdom of Insecurity" at the Paperback Booksmith ("Dedicated to the fine art of browsing") in Coolidge Corner, Brookline in around in 1966. I thought this autobiography was wonderful. There is so much to appreciate that I bought the Kindle version after listening to the audiobook.

I particularly liked his description of his life in California in the 1960s. Watts was obviously a brilliant man, and he really shows off his skill with language and ideas in this book. The reader is excellent - you feel like you're listening to Watts read this book.

Highly recommend!

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A walk through the history

A walk through the history of an influential man. The author walks us through his life giving us a look inside their world holding nothing back. There is lots of good information in this book.

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Simply Profound

Alan Watts has such a way with words. Somewhere between Zen master and philosopher, he is both ecumenical in his beliefs and unafraid to skewer ones that he just doesn't get

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To Be Discovered

Humanly relevant. A discovery in every chapter. The eye cannot see itself, so what is the sound of one hand clapping?

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Fascinating

As someone who grew up in the Sixties, this is a veritable Who’s Who of thinkers, philosophers, spiritual teachers, artists, writers, misfits and you name it. What an extraordinary life in an extraordinary time. Will we ever have an era such as this again? I doubt it.

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Watts’ bibliobiography

This book was a wonderful missive. For fans of Watts familiar with his talks, here are laid bare the experiences and influences he wove together time and again, granting credit where it’s due.

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Recounting a life well lived

Alan Watts is a doorway into your soul. These autobiographical vignettes are the stepping stones to and through that portal...

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A well told story

Life of Alan Watts narrated in a great voice that reminds his own voice (or so I felt).

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The Sound of The Rain

A must read by a great man. Excellent narration. Alan paints his story with his classic wit and wisdom.

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Allen Watts fan will love this book

If you love Allen Watts, you will enjoy this look not only into his life but into his mind.

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