This book has really opened my eyes about the way we as humans act and live our modern day lives. Allan W. Watts does a wonderful job assessing the patterns of actions and attitudes that people live by and live their lifestyles. My English teacher Mr. Sutherland was the one who got me interested in the book, and I really thank him for that. After reading this book, I have somewhat of a better understanding of why people act the way they do, and why they do what they do. Alan W. Watts has addressed the issue of anxiety of today modern society. This anxiety caused my various situations in our modern busy lives. He writes, "We have been accustomed to make this existence worth-while by the belief that there is more than an outward appearance-that we live for a future beyond this life here." What he means by the, is that in today modern society, we always try to push ourselves to create a better life for.us in the future. People do this in many different ways. Religious or not, we find ourselves doing this sometimes even subconsciously. In the case of religious people, they thrive to do good deeds, and keep from doing sins for what? So that they will get into heaven or a better afterlife. This is a bigger view, but what about people who are not religious? They do it too. For example, the average college student. He or she let's college kick their butt so that they will be able to get a better job and make a better life for themselves. I think that Watts writes this book to help us realize. To help us realize the over activity of our modern day lives. To help us realize that we do all of this for something that may it may not actually happen or come true. There are may suggestive themes throughout the book that back up thus idea if over activity in our lives, and the anxiety if what is yet to come. Because we do not know what is yet to come we try to make it the best in the future, but while doing that sometimes making our present lives suck.
He also said "In the ordinary way, we know this as a matter of information but do not feel it to be true. Certainly, most people feel separate from everything that surrounds them...I feel cut off only because I am split within myself, because I try to divide from my own feelings and sensations." This is an issue that I see all the time around me, specially as a teen ager. People generally have a hard time accepting the truth, and because of it they turn themselves into something that is not themselves. For example many teen age girls these days, try their hardest to fit in with the crowd, but in the process they are denying the fact that they are turning themselves into something they don't want to become. Their sense of identity becomes blurred at if not caught in time, they can live a good part of their lives walking in the shadow of someone else. Not showing the world who that person really is. I find this very fascinating, because of the fact that it is all around me. I am sure that I have done it. I 'm sure that I have done numerous times, but of course it is more obvious when you see it in others.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested, because it will explain a lot. Of course the book is completely opinionated, but good nonetheless. There are things that I do not agree with in the book, but those points got me thinking. It got me thinking about what I though about these points and I found myself going really far in depth about the points. I just never really thought about how much of an “act” we as humans and especially teen agers put on to please others, or reassure ourselves on things that we don’t even know is true. Allan also said, "In the ordinary way, we know this as a matter of information but do not feel it to be true. Certainly, most people feel separate from everything that surrounds them...I feel cut off only because I am split within myself, because I try to divide from my own feelings and sensations.". This is an issue that I see all the time around me, specially as a teen ager. People generally have a hard time accepting the truth, and because of it they turn themselves into something that is not themselves. For example many teen age girls these days, try their hardest to fit in with the crowd, but in the process they are denying the fact that they are turning themselves into something they don't want to become. Their sense of identity becomes blurred at if not caught in time, they can live a good part of their lives walking in the shadow of someone else. Not showing the world who that person really is. I find this very fascinating, because of the fact that it is all around me. I am sure that I have done it. I 'm sure that I have done numerous times, but of course it is more obvious when you see it in others.
In todays day and age, we call that "fake". Something that can be taken very offensively among the teen age community these days. The thing that I hope my readers take away from this, is simply being yourself. Not being afraid to recognize the truth. The truth in various forms. Wether it be realizing what type of person you are and affiliating yourself with the right people. Or simply catching yourself when you start to deny yourself the truth. Something that is easier said than done. I believe that Alan Watts wanted us to take this message away from his book, and I certainly have.
