Book SummaryBecome What You Are, by Alan Watts

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Become What You Are

The spiritual journey is often limited by a focus on oneself and the boundaries of personal ego.

This section delves into the inherent limitations of the individual and the paradoxical efforts to transcend these limitations through pursuits that are centered on oneself. Watts highlights the illusory nature of personal identity, noting that attempts to change or affect it could unintentionally reinforce the very division we seek to overcome.

Striving to disown one's identity and transcend the ego inherently leads to a paradox.

Watts reveals the contradictory nature of seeking self-transcendence while simultaneously engaging in self-denial. The author emphasizes the contradictory nature of trying to surpass the ego, which inadvertently relies on the very thing it seeks to overcome, perpetuating a counterproductive cycle.

The concept of self, frequently identified as the ego, sustains its presence exclusively by means of constant mental effort and is not easily susceptible to immediate alteration or impact.

Watts argues that the idea of the ego as the core of our identity is an illusion, upheld by constant and often unconscious mental effort. This mental effort involves clinging to a perceived sense of self, resisting change, trying to control experiences, and striving for particular outcomes. According to Watts, while the instinct to secure our existence aids in meeting basic needs like food and shelter, it obstructs the pursuit of inner satisfaction, resulting in a futile effort to elevate oneself through individual effort.

He illustrates this idea with a metaphor, comparing the ego's pointless attempts at self-transformation to a snake's fruitless quest to sprout legs, or to a naked man's irrational effort to take off an imaginary shirt. Attempts to transform our fundamental nature are in vain, as they fail to connect with the intangible essence they seek to uncover.

Attempts to accept one's intrinsic character or to embody selflessness frequently end up inadvertently reinforcing the ego they aimed to reduce.

Efforts to transcend the ego or to accept one's inherent nature, while seemingly virtuous, can unintentionally trap the ego in a new predicament. Watts explains how these endeavors can be driven by a desire for self-improvement or spiritual experiences, subtly reinforcing the self-centered orientation they aim to transcend. Our efforts to "accept ourselves" and "surrender ourselves" for the sake of personal growth or spiritual achievement only serve to bolster the ego's quest for dominance and specific outcomes.

He questions the typical link between spiritual exercises and severity, suggesting that genuine self-transcendence comes not from self-imposed strain or suffering, but from a profound understanding that the ego is inherently meaningless. The author illustrates change as a journey that begins once we come to terms with the complete pointlessness of our egocentric pursuits, likening it to an insect's vain attempt to penetrate the unyielding hide of a metal bovine.

Embracing one's inherent self without pursuing change.

This section emphasizes the importance of shifting from a self-centered, striving approach to a more accepting and receptive stance. Watts advocates for recognizing our inherent connectedness to a larger reality and discovering the freedom and joy that arise from simply being, rather than constantly striving to become something different.

An individual's core being is deeply connected with the ultimate reality rather than being primarily identified with the ego.

Watts advocates...

Become What You Are Summary The difficulty in expressing the fundamental nature of the Ultimate Reality stems from the limitations of human comprehension and linguistic expression.

This section delves into how our understanding of profound truths is impeded by the inherent limitations of language and conceptual thought. Watts underscores the intrinsic difficulty in expressing its singular nature, as attempts to describe it often fail and unintentionally emphasize the very notion of duality they aim to transcend.

The most profound truth surpasses both the capacity for verbal expression and the concept of duality.

In this section, Watts emphasizes a truth that is profoundly fulfilling yet difficult to grasp, transcending our sensory perceptions and intellectual understanding. The essence of being, profoundly influenced by teachings such as Zen, defies understanding through analytical thought, logical analysis, or conventional language, as highlighted by Alan Watts.

It eludes definition and comprehension through intellectual means or linguistic expression.

Drawing from Eastern philosophical traditions, especially Zen Buddhism, Watts suggests that the deepest truth, often alluded to through notions like the divine, the absolute, or the indescribable "Suchness," escapes the limitations of conceptual thought and verbal articulation. He underscores...

Become What You Are Summary Taoism and Zen advocate for aligning oneself with the natural flow of life.

In this section, Watts explores the practical implications of non-dualistic understanding, drawing on the Taoist principle of wu-wei and the Zen emphasis on direct experience. He explains techniques that help in overcoming self-centered actions that contribute to discomfort, promoting a way of life marked by balance and tranquility.

The concept of wu-wei underscores the importance of actions that are in harmony with the rhythms of the natural world and occur spontaneously.

Watts explores the principle of "wu-wei," which advocates for acting in harmony with the flow of life, rather than our common tendency to exert control and dominate events as they unfold. He underscores that this concept is not synonymous with laziness or a lack of ambition; instead, it's about harmonizing our actions with life's inherent rhythms, allowing us to act with an easeful spontaneity, devoid of the strain and vexation that come with opposing life's essential forces.

Eschew aggressive efforts to control outcomes.

Watts characterizes wu-wei as an approach that involves letting go of our urge to control and mold our experiences, avoiding the intense effort that often characterizes our...

Become What You Are Summary Acknowledging the profound impact that the subconscious has on a person's spiritual development.

This section explores the profound impact of our subconscious on our spiritual journey, highlighting the importance of welcoming change. Watts emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and integrating the unconscious in order to achieve genuine spiritual freedom and wholeness.

The unconscious consists of aspects of oneself that have yet to be recognized or accepted.

Watts delves into the concealed dimensions of human consciousness, blending modern psychological understanding with ancient spiritual traditions. He clarifies that the unconscious is not a separate inner presence or a hidden part of our psyche, but rather the vast and unexplored aspects of our being—elements of ourselves that escape our conscious recognition and remain to be assimilated.

Our consciousness encompasses more than our direct perceptions, with the unconscious not being a separate entity.

Watts offers a more nuanced perspective, challenging the common depiction of the unconscious as a mysterious, obscured domain filled with suppressed longings and obscure drives. Alan Watts describes the unconscious as elements of an individual's identity that are not within their conscious perception. The...