Psychotherapy East & West

by Alan W. Watts

Book Overview

Before he became a counterculture hero, Alan Watts was known as an incisive scholar of Eastern and Western psychology and philosophy. In this 1961 classic, Watts demonstrates his deep understanding of both Western psychotherapy and the Eastern spiritual philosophies of Buddhism, Taoism, Vedanta, and Yoga. He examined the problem of humans in a seemingly hostile universe in ways that questioned the social norms and illusions that bind and constrict...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1608684563
• ISBN13: 9781608684564
• Release Date: February 2017
• Publisher: New World Library
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Wise analysis of eastern and western approaches to psycho-spiritual liberation

In Psychotherapy East and West, Alan Watts compares eastern methods of liberation, specifically Buddhism, Taoism, Vedanta, and Yoga, with modern western methods, in particular the psychotherapeutic models pioneered by Freud and Jung. In a complex, lucid philosophical book of 214 pages, he finds, among other things, that the very urge toward liberation is problematic, since it presumes the existence of someone (the ego) who is not already liberated. Perhaps one of the most interesting claims Watts makes, and the ramifications that he develops from it, is the notion that enlightenment is not a metaphysical phenomenon but a social one; namely, the liberation experienced is freedom from a socially imposed fiction that each of us inherits: specifically, that our ego identity is our real identity, that we are an island of consciousness existing in a physical body separate from all other bodies, and identified with a personal history. Thus, for Watts, "cosmic consciousness" or enlightenment is not liberation from the bounds of physical existence, nor does it confer psychic powers and reward in a heavenly hereafter; it simply restores the individual to a state of Reality, wherein his own identity is felt as inseparable from everything previously taken as "Other." What prompted me to re-read this book after having read it more than twenty years ago was a desire to review Watts's critique of Carl Jung's thought. That Watts had read Jung extensively is evident from this and other books, including The Meaning of Happiness, which has an extensive review of Jungian ideas. In the chapter, "Society and Sanity" Watts asserts that human societies are consistent patterns of behavior. All societies involve consistent patterns of organization, traditions and customs. Yet this pattern of organization is rooted in nature, it is not separate and opposed to a nature which is chaotic. Human beings are part of nature, and all humans exist in societies: hence, societies too are part of nature. The first rule of society is that life must go on. Watts deconstructs such taken-for-granted notions as the "survival instinct," arguing that to say that an organism eats in order to survive is only to say that an organism is an expression of its environment, i.e., a transformation of air, sunlight, vegetation, water, etc. There is no scientific reason to suppose that there are such things as instincts for survival or for pleasure. When we say that an organism likes to go on living, or that it goes on living because it likes it, what evidence is there for this "like" except that it does in fact go on living---until it doesn't? (36) The assertion is astonishing. Don't we all "know" that all animals have a "survival instinct"? We do, but where do we get such knowledge, and is there any basis for it? Watts as always is brilliant at exposing the unconscious metaphysical assumptions which masquerade as scientific truth or "common sense." To say that animals posses

Classic Comparison of Two Roads to One Destination

The ultimate goal is freedom, self-expression, & authenticity in the world we occupy. Alan W. Watts compares the Chinese/Buddhist approach and modern Western psychological techniques for developing a clear consciousness and insight into behavior, life, and relationships. The psychological double-bind is examined via the roles and expectations of society. Buddhist techniques for liberation and Western psychological techniques are explored ... most telling is the discourse that one needs "to escape the therapist's trap" [p. 184, c.1961 Pantheon Books] plus, "social authority contains a contradiction from which natural authority is free, and self-contradiction so basic that its perpetuation must destroy society and drive men to madness". Yet, Watts acknowledges that separation from society, with emphasis on individual uniqueness, is to a great extent, a mistake. The more one explores human behavior, the discovery is made that the individual is connected with and part of the whole be it society, the world, or LIFE. The interconnectedness of everything becomes apparent. It is the relationship of patterns which makes a person a whole human being. This recognition of belonging, helps dissolve the boundaries of the ego and makes a person feel less trapped and free. The ultimate parodox is ... the individual obtains freedom, by the awakening that he/she belongs ... Classic Buddhist conundrums are viewed through the author's eyes. Emotional traps set by Western society are explored. Alan W. Watts provides an excellent discourse on the paths to liberation and the emotional ties which bind people into feeling limited, and unfulfilled as well as a methodology to escape the traps. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

His Best Work.

Vastly underrated and tragically out of print, _Psychotherapy East and West_ is Alan Watts' greatest work, and is one of the greatest works of psychology/philosophy of the twentieth century written in English. This book is also an ideal introductory course to the psychology of Carl G. Jung. Anyone who wants to read Jung should read this first (even though it came later) because it encompasses all of Jungs key concepts in an ultra-concentrated yet remarkably readable form. That is not to say that Jung is unreadable, because he most certainly is a great, easily translatable writer. But Alan Watts had the advantage of writing in English, and for this reason I believe _Psychotherapy East and West_ is THE ULTIMATE introduction to psychology for the Anglo-American reader. It represents the new wave of fusion psychology/philosophy/religious Asian cusine. No longer should all these fields be separated. Alan Watts and Carl Jung together have succeeded in combining the fields of psychology, philosophy, theology, and anthropological mythology. This is the new wave of generalized spiritual enlightenment which is also unbiased, critical, sceptical and truthful. It has spawned such other great authors as Julian Jaynes and Terrance McKenna. The best thing about this new kind of psychotherapy is that it is not cold and pretentious with regard to religion, but is tolerant and advocating of any type of belief system which enhances people's well being and mental health. Because it is nevertheless rigorous in uncovering the truth, it resembles Eastern Buddhism. Keep in mind that Buddhism makes no firm and unverifiable claims regarding the existence of God or an afterlife; it is simply a stategy for living one's life in the most enjoyable way possible, and _Psychotherapy East and West_ does an excellent job in making this way of life accessable to Americans. This book is the ultimate alliance of belief, spirtuality, psychotherapy, and mental well-being on the one hand, and truthful, critical philosophy on the other. It does not wish to insulate people from spiritual crises and keep them suspended in naive belief, but introduces us to a new wave of spiritualism that is hardened by scepticism and impervious to doubt. While some philosophy might pride itself on debunking unverifiable beliefs, it does not provide a solution to man's broken and neurotic psychological condition due to his lost spirituality. _Psychotherapy East and West_, on the other hand, is respective of truth, critical and sceptical, yet provides firm answers as to how we can avoid the neuroses and depression that might result from an upending of our spiritual beliefs. Unconditionally recommended. One of my top five books of all time, of any genre.

Be spontaneous!

Alan W. Watts' excellent looks into the world of psychotherapy, in particular those dealing with schizophrenia, and a world of Eastern religion; Hindu, Buddhist, Zen, Tao. The main topic of psychotherapy the author reaches is on the subject of the "double-bind" where one is forced to do two things at once. And the only way a human can do two things at once is to split into two people. Thus we have the psychological break. Discussing the writings of such known authors as Norman O. Brown, Wittgenstein, Freud as well as J. Haley, Erickson, Laing, Reich, Watzlawick, and Greagory Bateson. Noting mainly that the result of psychotherapy is that of the East in their liberation. Liberation and a successful therapeutic treatment are one in the same. The individual is free from binds, either double or singular, yet, now and again able to relate to the others world, as well as the world of the self. Watts "dances" about saying that to be therapeutic, one must also initate a double-bind so the patient can struggle to break it by "being himself." In which, as the subject refers to, to "be spontaneous" (which is in itself a paradox, as if someone were controlling you to do something without thinking). Watts concludes in his classic style discussing the liberation from the self in which words are constantly changing no matter where you are going or coming from. Vernaculars and lexicons are part of the moment, not something to be restricted in time; like all things to be - live in the moment. Reccomended for the theoretical psychologist as well as the Eastern frame of mind reader.

cream of the practical zen/tao/buddhist/castaneda offerings

I have many books covering the eastern mental and behavioral teachings; taoist, buddhist, zen, meditation,including DT Suzuki, Watts, Trungpa, the Dhali Llama, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, and have snaked through almost all of Castaneda's books. This particular book by Watts slams the topic down with intense clarity, with more power and direct, practical relevance than most books that cover eastern thought. It is intense, challenging, and Watts plows through relentlessly, viewing many cultural habits, and vindicating his central thesis with precision, humour and always good intentions. I have highlighted, re-read, dog-eared and referenced this book the most. Where Lao Tzu could seem overly refined and get vague, Watts turns the table and gets to the nitty gritty with powerful rewards, yet never losing the scope, the reflections, the principle and process that blend with the product. In addition to Edward De Bono and Carlos Castaneda arguing the same point, Watts here also gives intense support to the value and practical applications of HUMOUR in our lives. I love this freedom. If I died tomorrow, and someone wanted to know what my top 50 books list was, this one would be in the top 5.