Offers a slight paradigm shift. 2009-09-11

Reviewer: D. VAN Nguyen Hoang

The book has alot for readers to think about but the content is a bit esoteric. One can find alot of insight for their personal life and be freed from conventional thinking. Hardly do I notice any un-heard of powerful devices in the book but it serves as an introduction to the basics of life changing paradigms. I recommend this book to those who have never been schooled in thinking outside the box or to somone who has experience with such principles and wants to enjoy an antiquated delivery of inner discovery. When I say antiquated I mean the opposite of the
to-the-point and broken-down-in-simple-and-easily-understood-techniques like that of modern literature.

I like the book anyhow.

Great Book Who's Central Message is Often Missed 2009-02-14

Reviewer: ZenRR

While the thesis of this book (that existence is basically and fundamentally an uncertain and insecure endeavor and that our efforts at attaining security are futile) is deceptively simple, I find that most readers miss the full implications of that message. Indeed, I also did and only after multiple readings did it finally dawn upon me. For it seems that the thesis of the book begs but does not answer the question, "how is one to stop trying to attain security in a world where it doesn't exist". This can lead to one all too easily dismissing the book for it's lack of resolution and result in the reader taking an "easier said than done" attitude toward Watts. However, answer the question it does, powerfully if subtley, which lends to the likelyhood that the answer will go unnoticed. For Watts attempts to show us that the answer is contained in it's own question. By drawing upon eastern philosphical principles, he attempts to get us to see this (in order to induce an experiential rather than verbal understanding) by posing yet another counter question which in essence amounts to, "Why do you want to stop trying to attain security". And at this point, the reader may yet still fail to see the full implications of this approach, which reveals the fact (and the deeper message of the book)that our attempts to stop trying to attain security are based in the same motivation as our attempts to attain it. They are one and the same problem, both, however deceptive, designed to achieve the same end: security. When this is realized, only then does the effort to attain security in any form cease and the state which Watts describes effortlessy become reality rather than cliche.

Life Changing Text 2008-07-24

Reviewer: L. Sadykov

This book has changed my life. For anyone that has experienced depression and anxiety, this book explains the evolutionary reason for these emotions. Ultimately the books criticizes man for misusing his anxiety. We have become too anxious over stimuli that is all too trivial. The human animal has developed anxiety for his survival, but he now experiences anxiety that detrimentally affects his survival.

aware 2008-07-07

Reviewer: lucas

this book although published in in 1951 gets right to the point of the human problem in todays society. it is not a very long read and it would be a great treat to go along with anyones belief system. for twelve steppers it is a must.

a mind turning contemplative read. 2008-06-09

Reviewer: David Stump

whether or not one agrees with some of what is in this book, or none of it, this material will make one think. let your contemplative horizons break new ground. an excellent work for those who like to learn new ways of looking at the same old reality we are all stuck with.