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 ...
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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.
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Add this copy of Thebook on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are By to cart. $5.25, very good condition, Sold by Greener Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from London, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2009 by Souvenir Press Ltd.
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Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Add this copy of The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are to cart. $9.42, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2009 by Souvenir Press Ltd.
Add this copy of The Book: on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are to cart. $9.84, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Vintage Books.
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Book is considered to be in good or better condition. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo. Hard cover books may show signs of wear on the spine cover or dust jacket. Paperback book may show signs of wear on spine or cover as well as having a slight bend curve or creasing to it. Book should have minimal to no writing inside and no highlighting. Pages should be free of tears or creasing. Stickers should not be present on cover or elsewhere and any CD or DVD expected with the book is included. Book is not a former library copy.
Add this copy of The Book: on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are to cart. $10.24, fair condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Vintage Books.
Add this copy of The Book: on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are to cart. $10.74, fair condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Vintage Books.
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Add this copy of The Book: on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are to cart. $11.05, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Vintage.
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Fair. There is some underlining through out the book. There is significant writing through out the book. Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CD's, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included.
Add this copy of The Book: on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are to cart. $11.30, fair condition, Sold by ClickGoodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Indianapolis, IN, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Vintage.
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Fair. This is a paper back book: Used-Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may be missing bundled media.
Add this copy of The Book: on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are to cart. $11.30, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Vintage.
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Good. Stains on outside cover/inside the book. Cover/ Case does NOT match photos; some content may vary from version shown Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CD's, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included.
Add this copy of The Book to cart. $11.94, new condition, Sold by Kennys.ie rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, IRELAND, published 2009 by Souvenir Press Ltd.
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New. 2009. Paperback. Num Pages: 176 pages. BIC Classification: VSP. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 196 x 132 x 12. Weight in Grams: 146......We ship daily from our Bookshop.
Add this copy of The Book: on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are to cart. $12.00, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hillsboro, OR, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Vintage.
This was the first book I read by Alan Watts and now, after reading a number of his collected essays, I think it is one of his best. He had a quick wit and his insights into nonduality and consciousness were well beyond his time.
studiorats
Jan 8, 2009
Balanced simplicity
I first read this book in paperback in 1985. I've carried this copy in my backpack for years as a reference and reminder to keep things simple in my life. Alan Watts allows us to think past what preconcieived notions we have about ourselves in that we are simply a series of contrasts that is easily explainable. I remembered hearing his recorded lectures on NPR radio back when I was working the graveyard shift at a Santa Monica gas station--that was in 1976. So it was a grand delight have found a hard cover copy on Alibris to put on my bookshelf next to my dog-eared copy of the paperback. It is THE BOOK.
