The Book

On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

By: Alan Watts

Narrated by: John Lee

A revelatory primer on what it means to be human and a mind-opening manual of initiation into the central mystery of existence, by “perhaps the foremost interpreter of Eastern disciplines for the contemporary West" (Los Angeles Times).

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, Alan Watts provides us with a much-needed answer to the problem of personal identity, distilling and adapting the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta.

Critic reviews

“Perhaps the foremost interpreter of Eastern disciplines for the contemporary West, Watts had the rare gift of ‘writing beautifully the unwritable.’” —Los Angeles Times

"[Watts is] the perfect guide for a course correction in life." —Deepak Chopra

To be human is not easy

Love Alan, love to use my brain and see the world through different perspective. Highly recommended

Shift your perception

I picked up this book hoping for a massive paradigm shift, something that would truly rock my world and change the way I show up in life. It delivered that and so much more. Even though the author says you only need to read it once, I know I’ll be listening to it again and again.

This book helped me feel deeply connected with everything around me. It gave me a clearer understanding of the universe, manifestation, and the energy we bring into every moment. It changed not just how I think, but how I exist.

If you’re ready to shift your reality, expand your awareness, and upgrade the way you move through the world, I highly recommend reading this book. It’s transformative in the best possible way.

Oh wow

Profound, clarifying, freeing. I will be returning to this book for years to come. So much truth.

Insight and Understanding

Clear and accessible explanation of complex concepts. Though written years ago it is directly applicable to today’s existence. Brings life into focus.

Another one of those Bedside Pickup Daily Books

Watts has created one of those valuable Reference Books whose role is to remind you to practice being who you are by telling you not to try so hard.

Don’t let yourself be put in a box by Parents, School. Corporation, or Society. Or even by his Books that you might have read.

This is the ultimate Zen or Tao “Bible”. Four Stars. **** It would have been Five but his teachings come at you so fast that you have to go back and hear them over and over.