Picture 1 of 1
Stock photo
Picture 1 of 1
Stock photo
The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts (Paperback, 2009)
Rarewaves Outlet (1389801)
98.1% positive Feedback
Price:
£9.33
Free postage
Returns:
30 days return. Buyer pays for return postage. If you use an eBay delivery label, it will be deducted from your refund amount.
Condition:
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. Nowhere is this idea more apparent than in the concept of cultural taboos.
- Buy it nowAlan Watts The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are (Paperback)
Oops! Looks like we're having trouble connecting to our server.
Refresh your browser window to try again.
About this product
Product Information
We are therefore in urgent need of a sense of our own existence, which is in accord with the physical facts and which over comes 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, housed in a bag of skin, which confronts a universe of physical objects that are alien to it. Rather, a person's identity (their ego) 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. Explaining man's role in the universe as a unique expression of the total universe, and interdependent on it, Alan Watts offers a new understanding of personal identity. It reveals the mystery of existence, presenting an alternative to the feelings of alienation that are so prevalent in Western society, and a vision of how we can come to understand the cosmic self that is within every living thing. The foremost Western expert on Eastern thought, Alan 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. Alan Watts takes us through our daily lives, explaining how our goal-oriented selves leave something missing. In tackling technology and consumerism from the 1960s, Alan Watts demonstrates ways of thinking that have become increasingly urgent in the time since The Book was first published. In our increasingly adversarial times, The Book offers a way out of conflict by reckoning first with who we are before defining us against others. Alan Watts overturns the illusion that individuals are merely 'egos' contained within their bodies who are separate from the rest of the universe. Drawing on the Vedanta religion, Alan Watts explains how a person's identity makes them the centre of the universe, and outlines that the universe has meaning only if each individual places himself at the centre of it. The separation of the Self from the physical universe has led to Mankind's hostile attitude to the environment, and a destructive attitude to Nature. In coming to understand the individual's real place in the universe, Alan Watts presents a critique of Western culture and a healing alternative.Product Identifiers
PublisherProfile Books
ISBN-139780285638532
eBay Product ID (ePID)90860579
Product Key Features
Book TitleThe Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
AuthorAlan Watts
FormatPaperback
LanguageEnglish
TopicPopular Psychology
Publication Year2009
Number of Pages176 Pages
Dimensions
Item Height198mm
Item Width129mm
Item Weight153g
Additional Product Features
Title_AuthorAlan Watts
Country/Region of ManufactureUnited Kingdom
All listings for this product
![The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Watts, Alan [Paperback]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/34MAAeSw~ZFoQY3p/s-l225.jpg)
Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 14 Sep, 2022
Zen and the art of Alan Watts
There's been a few books strung together from interviews and lectures that are OK, but this was written by the man himself. This is one of the best book on this subject matter.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 10 Oct, 2019
Book I bought for my brother
I bought this book for my brother I know he will love itVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 13 Feb, 2020
No 1 book by Alan Watts
Should be read by all.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 27 Sep, 2024
Great book
Just a fabulous thought provoking bookVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 10 May, 2024
Quick and easy many thanks
Quick and easy many thanksVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 20 Jul, 2016
So good
We are the universe. Not separate. The ego thinks it's separate. But that's all ego... Seriously, though. This book dives deep! I will probably read it several times more over the course of my life. (Who's life?)Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 13 May, 2024
Very happy with purchase
Very happy with purchaseVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 17 Jan, 2018
PAPER
ITS MADE OF TREES.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 13 May, 2024
Value for money
Value for moneyVerified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 18 Jan, 2017
No review as it was a gift and therefore I ddn't read it
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
