Alan Watts
| Famous as | Philosopher, Writer & Speaker |
| Born on | 06 January 1915 |
| Born in | Chislehurst, Kent, England |
| Died on | 16 November 1973 |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Works & Achievements | Popular philosopher known for his Eastern philosophy and Zen teachings, Wrote famous books like The Way of Zen (1957), Psychotherapy East and West (1961), The New Alchemy (1958) and The Joyous Cosmology (1962). |
Alan Watts Childhood & Early Life
Alan Watts was born in a middle class family in the village of
Chislehurst, Kent, England on January 6, 1915. His father worked for the
London office of Michelin Tyre Company, whereas his mother was a housewife. Alan grew up in pastoral surroundings. Her mother’s
religious family had a significant impact in shaping his religious
side. From his childhood Alan was attracted towards the storybook fables
and romantic tales of the mysterious Far East. Alan was believed to be
headstrong, imaginative and talkative since his childhood days. From his
early years, he was sent to boarding schools to receive academic and
religious training. During his teen years, he got an opportunity to
travel France when Francis Croshaw, a wealthy Epicurean took Alan with
him. Croshaw’s Buddhist beliefs influenced the mind of Alan. He faced a
situation where he had to choose between Anglican Christianity and the
Buddhism. Watts chose Buddhism and became the member of London Buddhist
Lodge. This lodge was established by Theosophists and was operating
under barrister Christmas Humphreys. In 1931, at the young age of
sixteen, Watts became the secretary of the organization. During these
years, he learned several styles of meditation. He attended the King’s
School which was situated near to Canterbury Cathedral. After completing
his graduation from the secondary school,
he started working in a painting house and later worked in a bank. In
his free time, he was involved with the activities of Buddhist Lodge.
Watts widely studied philosophy, history, psychology, psychiatry and
Eastern wisdom. His involvement with the Buddhist Lodge gave him many
opportunities for personal growth.
He came in contact with eminent spiritual authors like, Nicholas
Roerich, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan and theosophists like Alice
Bailey.
At the age of 21, Watts attended the World Congress of Faiths at
the University of London in 1936. It was in this congress, where he
heard D.T. Suzuki, an esteemed scholar of Zen Buddhism and later met
him. He also studied the fundamental concepts and terminology of the
main philosophies of India and East Asia. The same year in 1936, Watts
published his first book, “The Spirit of Zen” which was mostly
influenced by the writings of Suzuki. After two years in 1938, he and
his wife, Eleanor Everett left England and moved to America. In New
York, Watts left Zen training as the method of the teacher didn’t please
him. To find a professional outlet for his philosophical dispositions,
he entered Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, in Evanston, Illinois.
In this Anglican school, he studied Christian scriptures, theology, and
Church history. Watts wanted to mix the contemporary Christian
worship, mystical Christianity, and Asian philosophy. He received a
master’s degree in theology on his thesis. He published his thesis
under the title, Behold the Spirit. In 1951, Watts moved to California
to join as faculty at American Academy of Asian Studies in San
Francisco. He also served in the Academy’s administration for several
years. During his service in the Academy, he studied written Chinese and
also practiced Chinese brush calligraphy.
Later Life & Works
Watts left the Academy for a freelancer career in mid 50s. In 1953, he began his career
as a radio programmer at Pacifica Radio station KPFA in Berkeley. Even
though being a volunteer programmer didn’t give him any money, it
provided him with large following at San Francisco Bay Area. In 1957,
Watts published one of his famous books, “The Way of Zen”, which was
basically focused on philosophical explication and history. Apart from
drawing lifestyle and background of Zen in India and China, he had
reaped ideas from general semantics. The book became instant success and
gave him immense recognition and widened his lecture circuit.
Meanwhile, he traveled to Europe and met renowned psychiatrist Carl
Jung. On his return to America, he started taking psychedelic drugs
starting with mescaline given by Dr. Oscar Janiger. He then tried LSD
which was followed by trying marijuana. For some time, he opted for
writing in the language of modern science and psychology and tried to
find some match between the mystical experiences and the 20th
century theories of material universe. Watts came in contact with many
noted intellects, artist and educationist during his explorations and
teachings. His friend, the poet Gary Snyder raised his sympathies with
developing environmental movement. He also acquainted with Robert Anton
Wilson who credited him among the “Lights along the way” in the opening
appreciation of “Cosmic Trigger”.
In his later writings, Watts expressed admiration for practicality
in the history of Zen in Eastern world. According to him, Zen had
nurtured farmers, architects, builders, folk physicians, artists and
even the monk administrators of monasteries. In his book, “Tao: The
Watercourse Way”, he presented himself as "Zennist" in spirit. He was
also interested in topics like child rearing, the arts, cuisine,
education, law and freedom, architecture and sexuality. Watts was also
greatly influenced by ancient Hindu scriptures, especially Vedanta and
spoke extensively about the divinity that Man misses. He also said about
how the contradiction of opposites is the method of life and the means
of cosmic and human evolution. These major teachings are discussed in
great detail in the audio series, “Out of Our Mind”. His feelings of
alienation from the institution of marriage and the values of American
society were evident from his classical comments on love relationships
in "Divine Madness". On social issues, he was mostly concerned with the
necessity of international peace and understanding between different
cultures. In his later works like “Beyond Theology” and “The Book on the
Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are”, he drew views from Hinduism,
Chinese philosophy, pantheism, and modern science to put forward a
worldview.
Personal Life
Alan Watts married three times in his life and had seven children
including five daughters and two sons. He met his first wife Eleanor
Everett in 1936 and married her in April 1938. The couple had two
children, Joan and Anne. Their marriage lasted for eleven years. In
1950, he married Dorothy DeWitt and the couple had five children, Tia,
Mark, Richard, Lila, and Diane. He met his third wife, Mary Jane Yates
King while lecturing in New York and married her in 1964.
Death
Alan Watts died on 16th November 1973 in his home on Mt. Tamalpais. He was 58 when died.
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Timeline: | ||||
1915: Born in Chislehurst, Kent, England.
1931: Became the secretary of London Buddhist Lodge.
1936: Attended the World Congress of Faiths at the University of London; Published his first book, “The Spirit of Zen”.
1938: Married to Eleanor Everett and moved to America.
1950: Married to Dorothy DeWitt.
1951: Moved to California to join as faculty at American Academy of Asian Studies in San Francisco.
1953: Began his career as a radio programmer at Pacifica Radio station KPFA in Berkeley.
1957: Published one of his famous books, The Way of Zen.
1964: Married to Mary Jane Yates King.
1973: Died due to heart failure.
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