Alan Watts was born on January 6, 1915, in a small town named ‘Chislehurst’ in Southeast London. Watts was a philosopher, writer, lecturer, and an emanating advocate of “not trying,” “getting out of your own way,” and as a whole, a practitioner of Zen philosophy.

He was among the first who introduced the tranquil yet lively concepts of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu philosophy and religion among the Western audiences in the mid-20th century.

But this is not how it all started—young Alan Watts’ disdain with things Western, the “boiled beef” culture as he used to call it made for a side of the coin that he felt revulsed at. This was also something that was fundamental to his attraction to the East which was everything that West at that time was not.

Alan Watts’ Early Days

Born to a middle-aged couple & slightly unusual circumstances where the mother was the lawgiver, and the father, affectionate.

Interestingly, as Alan reached the ripe age of 15 it was also his father who declared himself a Buddhist & had joined the Buddhist Lodge becoming an active member.

Whereas Emily–Alan’s mother was someone who was always distant–who loved him but was not affectionate as was his father. She practiced the sullen form of fundamentalist Protestantism which also served as a grim backdrop of Watt’s childhood.

His fascination with the East started after developing interest in the writing of Lafcadio Hearn who had travelled the width and breadth of the Eastern lands – Hearn’s Gleanings in Buddha-Fields proved to be Alan’s first introduction to the Eastern concepts. 

Calling so strong, Watts abruptly made his way to London’s Buddhist Lodge & proclaimed himself a Buddhist. Christmas Humphrey, the head of the lodge, was someone young Watts came to admire.

It was also through Humphreys that Watts later met D.T. Suzuki who would later be a cornerstone in Alan’s inspiration for the Eastern concepts.

Alan Watts’ Work

Alan Watts has authored over 25 books on subjects like Eastern philosophy, personal identity, true nature of reality, meaning of life and related subjects. Watts published his first book–The Spirit of Zen, in 1936.

In 1953 he began a radio program at Pacifica Radio station KPFA in Berkeley where he expanded on the same subjects that he wrote on. The radio program continued till 1962 by the time he had attracted a lot of regular listeners.

His recordings are broadcasted to this day on Sunday mornings on San Francisco radio station KSAN. 

In 1957, Watts published what went on to be known as his best work in the form of the book which was titled “The Way of Zen” which focuses on the philosophical concept of the subject and its history, drawing from the lifestyle and background of Zen in India, China, and Japan.

The book found a lot of traction amongst his followers and the seekers of Eastern wisdom and eventually established itself as the modern classic which also helped in widening his lecture circuit.

Why Is Alan Watts So Popular?

Watts was an sincere yet unapologetic, unyielding yet hedonist who passionately advocated the pursuit of unforced pleasure, as if the concept of Yin and Yang was condensed in a human. 

Alan beautifully advocated the “not trying” spirit which he held as a part of his central belief that emanated profusely in talks he gave at the colleges, universities, and growth centers across the United States and Canada.

Watt’s way of explaining concepts, his utter clarity that was, in itself supernatural. He was one of the gifted ones who could express in words the inexpressible. 

Probably, this was also the reason why some intellectuals didn’t like him. Academics tends to distrust simplicity by default, and Alan was a master of conveying the inconceivable, in simple words.

His sincere efforts did pay off as his lectures found a posthumous burst of popularity on the internet, especially on apps like Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram.

Alan Watts’ popularity can be traced back to the 1960s where his writings became influential and acted as a catalyst for the counterculture of the 1960s in Great Britain and the United States which also made him one of the most widely discussed philosophers of his time, which also holds true today.

The Man Who Bridged The “Philosophical” Gap Between the East & The West

In listening to Watts lectures one can only gape in awe at the masterful weave of still novel concepts that make their way to the eardrums and yet feel like home.

For me Alan Watts painted with his words, adding strokes and strokes of word-paint where each line-stroke could pass for a complete artwork. 

His lectures served as a refuge into the feeling of wonder, of creativity, and warmth with which one could almost “feel” the description of the described.

It was only Alan Watts who could explain a foreign concept, contrast it with something totally opposite, crack a mild joke, and have a hearty laugh—all within a moment’s notice.

I might sound over-leaning, and prejudiced here in terms of my description of Alan Watts — but don’t we all when we talk about someone we hold dear in our minds, hearts, and soul.

It doesn’t matter what image I or you hold in relation to Alan Watts in your mind, but one thing remains true. He was the man who bridged the vast gap between the East and the West, introducing West the ways of living life which were once unknown.

Common Questions Related To Alan Watts

Where can I find the original recordings of Alan Watts?

The original tapes of Alan Watts’ broadcasts and lectures are currently preserved by the Pacifica Radio Archives, based at KPFK in Los Angeles, and Mark Watts–Alan Watts’ son has taken upon himself to preserve his father’s work and ensure its integrity. He curated all of Watt’s original work on the website AlanWatts.org.

How Old Was Alan Watts When He Died?

Alan Watts was 58 years old when he died. He was reported to have died in his sleep after returning from a European lecture tour in 1973.

How did Alan Watts pass away?

Alan Watts was a heavy drinker and smoker and many attribute his death to these habits of his. However, Mark Watts said he had planned his own death, like the Buddhist monk. He is said to have done it over six months before his actual passing in what he went on to describe as “well orchestrated, and well executed.”