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The Meaning of Happiness
- The Quest for Freedom of the Spirit in Modern Psychology and the Wisdom of the East
- Narrated by: Kern Schmidt
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
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The Meaning of Happiness
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Summary
Deep down, most people think that happiness comes from having or doing something. Here, in Alan Watts’s groundbreaking third book (originally published in 1940), he offers a more challenging thesis: authentic happiness comes from embracing life as a whole in all its contradictions and paradoxes, an attitude that Watts calls the “way of acceptance.” Drawing on Eastern philosophy, Western mysticism, and analytic psychology, Watts demonstrates that happiness comes from accepting both the outer world around us and the inner world inside us - the unconscious mind, with its irrational desires, lurking beyond the awareness of the ego. Although written early in his career, The Meaning of Happiness displays the hallmarks of his mature style: the crystal-clear writing, the homespun analogies, the dry wit, and the breadth of knowledge that made Alan Watts one of the most influential philosophers of his generation.
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Critic reviews
“Happiness is a sense of harmony, completion, and wholeness, Watts declares in this classic work. Though first published in 1940 when he was only in his mid-twenties and reissued now by New World Library, Watts’ book remains foundational in its early impact on his later work... rewarding and even enlightening.” (Booklist)
“Novel and interesting.” (New York Times)
“This volume springs from the depths of life and learning. It is wise and practical. The author gets our attention on his very first page...The philosophy wrought from these elements of experience and thought is profound yet simple.” (New York Herald Tribune)
What listeners say about The Meaning of Happiness
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Martin O.
- 13-12-21
Excellent
Loved this. Though the narration of such complex ideas and shares could’ve been delivered a little slower, this is an excellent foray into the anatomy off acceptance.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joseph Smith
- 16-03-21
Great book.
Really insightful wonderful piece of work. Fantastic addition to Watt’s work giving ‘something extra’ that seems he was unable to portray in his lectures. When you consider he was only 24 at the time of publication it shows the astounding lengths of the mans knowledge of philosophy. Highly recommend
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Bally
- 14-03-24
monotone narration
A soulless reading. This narration is appalling in fact so bad it is impossible to understand. I am a fan of Alan Watts he narrates with humour skill and intellect but when his works are read by robots they are indecipherable.
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