Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown: A Mountain Journal
Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown: A Mountain Journal book cover

Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown: A Mountain Journal

Mass Market Paperback – March 12, 1974

Price
$14.95
Publisher
Vintage Books
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0394719993
Dimensions
4.14 x 0.47 x 6.92 inches
Weight
4.8 ounces

Description

From the Inside Flap These ruminations, assembled in the form of a journal and here published in paperback for the first time, were written at Alan Watts' retreat in the foothills of Mount Tamalpais, California. Many current themes are discussed, including meditation, nature, established religion, race relations, karma and reincarnation, astrology and tantric yoga, and the nature of ecstasy, but the underlying motif is the art of feeling out and following the watercourse way of nature, known in Chinese as the Tao. Watts suggests a way of contemplative meditation in which we temporarily stop naming and classifying all that we experience, and simply feel it as it is. tions, assembled in the form of a journal and here published in paperback for the first time, were written at Alan Watts' retreat in the foothills of Mount Tamalpais, California. Many current themes are discussed, including meditation, nature, established religion, race relations, karma and reincarnation, astrology and tantric yoga, and the nature of ecstasy, but the underlying motif is the art of feeling out and following the watercourse way of nature, known in Chinese as the Tao. Watts suggests a way of contemplative meditation in which we temporarily stop naming and classifying all that we experience, and simply feel it as it is. Alan W. Watts, who held both a master’s degree in theology and a doctorate of divinity, is best remembered as an interpreter of Zen Buddhism in particular, and of Indian and Chinese philosophy in general. Standing apart, however, from sectarian membership, he has earned the reputation of being one of the most original and “unrutted” philosophers of the twentieth century. Watts was the author of some twenty books on the philosophy and psychology of religion that have been published in many languages throughout the world, including the bestselling The Way of Zen. An avid lecturer,xa0Watts appeared regularly on the radio and hosted the popular television series, Eastern Wisdom and Modern Life, in the 1960s. Hexa0died in 1973. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • Over the course of nineteen essays, Alan Watts ("a spiritual polymatch, the first and possibly greatest" —Deepak Chopra) ruminates on the philosophy of nature, ecology, aesthetics, religion, and metaphysics
  • . Assembled in the form of a “mountain journal,” written during a retreat in the foothills of Mount Tamalpais, CA,
  • Cloud-Hidden, Whereabouts Unknown
  • is Watts’s meditation on the art of feeling out and following the watercourse way of nature, known in Chinese as the Tao. Embracing a form of contemplative meditation that allows us to stop analyzing our experiences and start living in to them, the book explores themes such as the natural world, established religion, race relations, karma and reincarnation, astrology and tantric yoga, the nature of ecstasy, and much more.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(136)
★★★★
25%
(57)
★★★
15%
(34)
★★
7%
(16)
-8%
(-17)

Most Helpful Reviews

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rebel with a cause

Timeless wisdom wrapped in beautiful language that soothes the soul. Alan Watts was a brilliant storyteller who managed to stir things up a bit before leaving on an optimistic note.
This work is edgier than his others and will satisfy the more rebellious new agers.
10 people found this helpful
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A classic in my mind I re-read every 2 years

It's a genius book by a genius so it's hard not to be moved. While I do love his "On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are" this one is a bit more personal, probably since it came from a compilation of a series of journals instead of a structured book. But the varied subject matter keeps it unreiterated which is my normal qualm with philosophy books.
Especially to be appreciated is the sources he draws from, science, politics, drug experimentation, music, dancing, Japanese art of incense, sex, astronomy, linguistics... His depth of academic prowess goes on and on. But what's lovely is so does his prowess in life. It takes a sharp mind to get Zen Buddhism, it's untranslatable and almost impossible to write on authentically. He jokes with this concept by teasing apart his words wherever the chance to show their confinements.

The reviewer who surmises him as hippy philosophy clearly hasn't read the book. He draws from examples of what was his pop culture to show where Zen Buddhism is and is NOT manifested. And his critics of the "hippy" generation are more numerous than his accolades. Watts was an icon and an intellectual, in Harvard at the time of LSD experimentation by Timothy Leary, a mentor to Ginsburg when he was first "Howl"ing. Revered by Ram Das and Bhagavan Das who both mention him in their books. He's one of the few who GOT it. Or WAS it (to speak more in his words).

This was the second time I've read it; was just as good as it was 7 years ago. But these are difficult concepts without a substantial background on Zen Buddhism it may seem nonsensical. I might first read his "On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are" then Ram Das's "Be Here Now."
8 people found this helpful
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This is a good book if you like to read a short bit ...

This is the first of his books that I bought. It is comprised of a lot of short segments. I have listened to some of them before, on the audio recording of "The Essential Alan Watts". This is a good book if you like to read a short bit then ponder it for a long time.
2 people found this helpful
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Enjoy all Alan Watts books

I love Alan Watts books. He's a deep thinker about the spiritual, psychological, Christian, Buddhist, metaphysical. I started with his "Wisdom of Insecurity" book which I totally loved & have read many of his books since.
2 people found this helpful
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Watts the person

Anything by this man is awesome! This is just much more personal and accessible perhaps than some of his other writings. I've read and re-read most of Watt's books.
1 people found this helpful
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Five Stars

Wonderfully insightful. Makes you stop and ponder. Highly recommended for the whole planet to read.
1 people found this helpful
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One of his most wonderful works.

Classic. One of his most wonderful works.
1 people found this helpful
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one of the best watts book

Important book ,one of the best watts book.
1 people found this helpful
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Quirky

Alan Watts introduced me to zen many decades ago. I gave the book away and found i desired it once more. It's just as good now as before.
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One of my favorite Watts Works

A spiritual journey I could relate to so very well. Watts takes a very deep and introspective look into the depths of humanity in this lovely, intellectual book
1 people found this helpful