The Book - an antidote to nihilism

Hard to know where to start with this book. That’s partly because Watts spends so much of it talking about ineffable experiences, and those are by definition hard to summarise.

I came to Alan Watts sideways, through chill music on YouTube that sampled his voice, then a few of his talks, and eventually this book. The primary message is one of philosophy. Watts outlines his interpretation of aspects of the Hindu and Buddhist religions in terms any westerner can understand.

I find his message to be comfortingly anti-nihilism. I’ve never fallen into nihilism myself, but Watts is very compelling, and I feel this book can be an antidote for those who have. If that’s you, or someone you know, this is the book I’d point to first.

One line that captures his angle: “You did not come into this world. You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean. You are not a stranger here.”

The best takeaway I found was to treat life as a game, and to not take it too seriously. That one actually sticks with me, at least when I remember it. When I’m stuck on a boring task, I’ll notice I’m pressing a keyboard and mouse exactly like I would playing a video game. How is it so different? It’s all in my mind.

An easy 5/5. Any book that can turn a boring task into a game, even just sometimes, has earned it.