The Wisdom in Insecurity by Alan Watts - 3 Stars

[Jeremiah]

The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts
Audiobook
3 Stars

In this fascinating book, Alan Watts explores man's quest for psychological security, examining our efforts to find spiritual and intellectual certainty in the realms of religion and philosophy. The Wisdom of Insecurity underlines the importance of our search for stability in an age where human life seems particularly vulnerable and uncertain. Watts argues our insecurity is the consequence of trying to be secure and that, ironically, salvation and sanity lie in the recognition that we have no way of saving ourselves.

In the seventy years since this book was written and originally published, much in the world has changed. The circumstances we deal with from day-to-day, the technology that often pollutes our world, and our level of knowledge of events globally has altered our world view. But amazingly, a work like this is just as relevant today as it was seventy years ago, and possibly even more relevant.

This was not a five star or even four star read for me, because it is very esoteric. Watts not only tackles a difficult subject but he does so by cramming more ideas into one page than the mind can comprehend. I appreciate the value of the thought, but as a work for readers to digest it lacks in approachability.

The most powerful thought for me coming out of this book is to avoid the habit of trying to step outside of oneself to judge the morality or benefit of our actions. Watts encourages the reader to understand that you cannot separate yourself in this fashion. In the present, you yourself, your environment, and those around you. As such, morality is based on how you treat your entire present world.