What Is Tao?

by Alan W. Watts

In his later years, Alan Watts, noted author and respected authority on Zen and Eastern thought, turned his attention to Taoism. In this book, he draws on his own study and practice to give readers an overview of the concept of the Tao and guidance for experiencing it themselves. What Is Tao? explores the wisdom of understanding the way things are and letting life unfold without interference.

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Taoism, Nonfiction, Religion, Buddhism, Eastern Philosophy

96 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2000

About the author

Alan Wilson Watts was a British philosopher, writer and speaker, who held both a Master's in Theology and a Doctorate of Divinity. Famous for his research on comparative religion, he was best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Asian philosophies for a Western audience. He wrote over 25 books and numerous articles on subjects such as personal identity, the true nature of reality, higher consciousness, the meaning of life, concepts and images of God and the non-material pursuit of happiness. In his books he relates his experience to scientific knowledge and to the teachings of Eastern and Western religion and philosophy.

Reviews

[Sanjay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan Watts is the man who can be poetic in the prose. He says: Tao is like water, if you try to hold it, it will slip through; it's better let life flow. Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. The following lines by Lao Tzu sums up the book by Watts: water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.


A very good book and a recommended read!

[Anthony Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan Watts is one of my favourite philosopers. He interprets eastern philosopy better than anyone I've ever read. After reading five of his books in a row, I decided that Taoism is the way for me. I've even created a morning affirmation/meditation from his words and it touches me everytime. It reminds me of the simple things like stay in the moment and live with detachment. Seems simple enough, but so hard to do after nearly 50 years of conditioning in this Wester society.

[Chloe Glynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I'd read a few versions of the Tao, Watts put words to some of the philosophical constructs I didn’t have a good sense for, especially in his dealing with the I Ching. It's a concise introduction. The writing is light and readable. There's a few interpretations I object to, and I would've liked a little bit more reverence, but readers who enjoy that aspect of Alan Watts' style will feel right at home.

[Lachlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with all Alan Watts books, 'What Is Tao' clearly articulates concepts which are very difficult and abstract.

While the essence of these concepts are far beyond my grasp so shortly after the completion of this book, it was an interesting read. I assume the subject matter will require far, far more attention - perhaps a lifetime. It took me many months to assimilate at least some of the ideas of Watts' 'What is Zen?' into my life; who knows if this experience will be similar?

[Travis Hosgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

My main geezer watts on Taoism. Where do I start? Simple explanation of the unexplainable. The way of knowing all things is to know yourself, living simply, finding comfort in hostility, and sharing cultural bits of information and creation. As with all philosophy, use it sparingly. Gather what the ego considers righteous, and be like water. "Nothing in the world is weaker than water, but it has no better in overcoming the hard."

[Brady Heyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars: a must-read

A fantastic entry point to the subject AND less than 100 pages!

[Nicholas Gordon]

An admirable element of the Taoist philosophy that this book relates is the inherent inadequacy of words to accurately capture and convey the nuances of our myriad experiences on this planet - and indeed the book embodies that truth too, as Watts, in attempting to convey the complexities of ancient Eastern spiritual wisdom in some 90-odd small pages, often devolves into modern-day western bromides and platitudes, such as ‘easy does it’ and ‘go with the flow’ etc.

I drew some personal arbitrary line on the goodreads star-rating system when it came to Shakespeare (who the hell am I to rate the bard three-stars! Or any writer for that matter), and a similar instinctive thing is happening to me with this one: I can’t bring myself to rate a book on spiritual concerns with stars like it’s any old other consumer good. Even if in some capitalist sense it clearly is.

(Okay screw it 2.5 stars verging on three with that potential extra half star possibly being granted for the golden nugget that comes near the end when Watts describes how knowledge comes to us from ‘a kind of weakness’, through our gentle sensory organs, ‘the soft veil of our eyelid’ and the ‘delicate drum of our ear’ and so forth).

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3 this guy

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the words of Lisa Turtle, what is Tao? Are we Tao? Is Tao, Tao?

Yes, we/it kind of is/are.

But as Lao Tzu said about the Tao, "Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know."

So. What do I know after reading this book?!...I...I'm not sure. And if I did know, I couldn't speak it, that's for sure!

Last couple chapters here are quite good. It's all from lectures so the book just kind of hops all over the place. Too short as well. A bit longer and a deeper dive into some of and I would bump it up a star.

[Ron Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Taoism by the master of "Eastern" philosophy. As usual, Watts presents the subject in a clear and entertaining way.

[Bill W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful in its simplicity and directness.

[Kamakana · Rating 5 out of 5]

??? 80s: this is probably only a five if: you want complex ideas simply or simple ideas simply, you have read and have some sense of dao, you like philosophy, you like such comparative, you are interested in daoism, you like the idea and execution of an introductory work that summarizes and is an excellent interpretation of philosophical poetry (in translation) that is concise, correct, complete, in a way longer texts never are...

i started readings of daoism and buddhism when young and they were immediately and intuitively ideas i embraced. this was the way i wanted philosophy to be. this is the help in living and sediments preceding any western philosophy, an early focus not on the what of life but the how, such that empiricism, pragmatism, other modern schools, all the schools of hellenic philosophy, never had much of a chance of establishing roots. in moral sense i was and am strongly affected by first reading sartre, in integrated views of the world i am at least as strongly affected by eastern ways. at first this is romantic, obscure, mysterious, but as i have read on loved on this has become my truth...

so everything leads through daoism and buddhism in all my reading and writing and living. this is a short book. i read this after reading much referred to in here, so some ideas are embedded, some ideas so deeply anchored i have almost forgotten where they came from. here. this text or source or kin of thought has been so useful. there was a time before reading this, but i cannot remember it. read now, first, and see if it intrigues...

[Robbt E · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting overview of Taoism and eastern philosophy compiled from Alan Watts various talks he gave throughout his life. It is useful for people who are unfamiliar with Taoism and includes enough reiteration to be a useful review for people who want a review of the concepts.

[Lucy Whitaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to Taoism. My only complaint is that it isn't longer, since I could read it for days. After discovering Alan Watts on YouTube, I decided to seek out more of his work and this book has only encouraged that search.

[Jimmy L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just comes and blows my mind. Taoism (Daoism) is an interesting practice to study, and I find myself taking upon its influence. Great Book, Alan Watts is now one of my favorite author.

[Natalia Ospina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short read on the history, background and paradoxical interpretation of the Tao. Watts' use of analogy is masterful.

[Worthless Bum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb introduction to Taoism, elucidating the central concepts and giving historical and cultural backround information.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

As great as What is Zen?

[Mako Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Watts is my new superhero.

[Alex Kartelias · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Without being too- intellectual and being very clear, these words will make anyone who is restless and return back to the present moment. A book to read over and over again.

[Marius Heje Mæhle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan Watts er en mine favorittfilosofer. Hans røtter er i østens filosofi, spesielt i confusismn, taiosm zen og buddsimen. I denne boken tar han for seg tao - og relatert filosofi. En fryd å lese så klart og tydlig forståelse for tao (selv om boken er basert på ett av hans lydopptak).

Favorite quotes
- The scholar, pure and clear of mind, serene and open of heart should find in everything what nourishes him.
- Humans get in their own way because they are always observing and questioning themselves. We admire people who have the ability to return in their mature life to a kind of childlikeness and freshness. They are not bothered any more by what people are thinking or saying.

Tao
- balance between our human awareness and our natural being
- "the way" or "the way to go "
Tzu-jan
- The way things are of themselves
- "by itself so"
Wu wei
- "not forcing"
- Lao-tzu philosophy: The art of getting out of ones own way, learning how to act without forcing conclusions and living skillful harmony with the process of nature instead of trying to push them around
Te
- Virtue: skill at living
The gentle way
- The strength of weakness: allow yourself to be weak, you can allow yourself to experience what is really your greatest strength
Judo
- Ju=the gentle, do=way, The gentle way
- Philosophy of balance
- Not to oppose strength with strength
- Don't resist
- The observing self: humans get in their own way because they are always observing and questioning themselves. We admire people who have the ability to return in their mature life to a kind of childlikeness and freshness. They are not bothered any more by what people are thinking or saying.
Tai chi
- The symbol for the two fundamental principles, the positive and the negative
Mindfulness
- Keeping ones thoughts on the immediate situation
- The wise person...has the sensibility those things in themselves, and to know that beauty lies in the variability of experience from one situation to another
Conclusion
- What is beyond is also here
- The place we are now, we have already arrived. This is it. What we are seeking is, we are not totally blind, already here.
- Any place where we are may be considered the center of the universe. Anywhere that we stand can be considered the destination of our journey.
- It is only through a kind of weakness and softness that is it possible for knowledge to come to us
- In the end, we must decide what we really want to know about.
- After all, we can't enjoy what we are anxiously trying to control.
- "the mystery of life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced"
The scholar, pure and clear of mind, serene and open of heart should find in everything what nourishes him

[Joel Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOOK OUT FOR THE GRAIN OF THINGS.

In classic Chinese literature the Tao is described as following the path of least resistance; occupying the lowest or invisible position and embracing the goodness of nature without ever attempting to do so.

Taoism has been described as the philosophy of nature.

Do not force matters when the time is not right.

Wu wei - the attribute of not forcing or grasping.

Get out of one's own way.

Balance is a fundamental idea in Taoist philosophy.

Dont oppose strength with strength.

We admire the people who have the ability to return in their mature life to a kind of childlikeness and freshness.

True quiet means keeping still when the time comes to keep still, and gong forward when the time has come to go forward. In this way rest and movement are in agreement with the demands of the time, and thus there is light in life.

It is only through a kind of weakness and softness that its possible for knowledge to come to us.

We cant enjoy what we are anxiously trying to control.

The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.

[René Sadae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food for thought. I've recently listened and read lengthy transcripts of Watts, and thought these edited versions of his talks were nicely done for a little synopsis of his lengthier philosophical postulations. I'm not so sure I wasn't 'reading (into and) between the lines' in these with my earlier words of Watts. However, I still think it's a great little 'original food of thought' that is slowly replacing my 70's-80's superficial westernized and popularized consumptions of the concepts of Tao, Buddhism, meditation, etc. and leaving me hungry for more. As a non-buff of intellectually driven philosophy and theology, I'm merely more interested in the simplification of what my ancestors might have understood about their world on a tiny SE Pacific island where centuries of time-passed before assimilation, outside influences and translations. It's imperfect, I know, however this book feels like a pocketbook historical novella that I can live in for just enough to imagine what proverbs and utterances they might say to me in making my way through life.

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ultimately, of course, it is absolutely impossible to understand and appreciate our natural universe unless you know when to stop investigating."

I honestly thought that sitting down with pages of Watts' explaining to me what Tao is would give me a crash course on the Tao. What I was reminded of instead is that not all beauty on earth is linear, and not all concepts can be easily explained. The Tao is more than words can explain, it is something to be felt and experienced. Much like a drink of fresh water could never be simply explained in a string of words, the Tao can also not be explained in this way. ❤️ Great read, although I love Alan Watts.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief and insightful (long) essay on Taoism and Taoist thinking. Alan Watts writes clearly and well. This is the best description of the Tao I have come across. The author does a good job trying to get at something--the Tao--that is no get-at-able. In other words, when you try and use language to describe the Tao, you are no longer describing the Tao. It's sort of like the Heisenberg uncertainty principle in particle physics: you can't know position and velocity at the same time. A particle has both; the observer just can't know them simultaneously.

That's trippin', man. Taoism is cool.

[Zach]

A wonderful book to recenter with. If you're new to the Tao, then this would be a splendid place to start.

A favorite quote among many:

And this is why the compulsively investigative mind is always ending up in what it believes to be the hard and bitter reality of the actual facts. Playing violin is, after all, only scraping a cat's intrails with horsehair. The Stars in heaven are, after all, only radioactive rocks and gas. But this is nothing more than the delusion that the truth truth is to be found only by picking everything to pieces like a spoiled child picking at its food.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful little essay/lecture collection! I wish it was longer, but I will definitely read more of Alan Watts’s writing after this. I especially like how he illuminates Taoist concepts and then compares them and presents them to a Western perspective. A permanent addition to my library and a ver quick read! I imagine taking this on a camping trip and pulling it out by a campfire or on some mountaintop!

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Summary of the meaning of Tao for westerners

I ha e this only four stars because Alan Watts gives better and more in-depth descriptions elsewhere. Still, this stands as a good, bite-size introduction to the differences in approach between the Western mindset and that of Eastern philosophies. It's a quick read and the concepts are clearly stated. If you are new to understanding Tao, read this.