Tao: The Watercourse Way (Paperback)

Alan Watts

The last work by Alan Watts, Tao is the culmination of a lifetime's study and thought

Alan Watts unveils the Chinese philosophy of Tao in this final work by the master communicator of Eastern thought

The great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right,
All things depend upon it to exist, and it does not abandon them.

The Tao is the way of human cooperation with the natural world; its principles can be found in the flow patterns of water. By taking in the lessons of Tao, we can change our attitude to the way we live.

In this history of Tao and its interpretations, Alan Watts draws on key thinkers such as Lao-Tzu to demonstrate how this ancient and timeless Chinese wisdom can combat the chaos of modern life by allowing time to quiet our minds and observe the world. With an introduction to the Chinese culture that is the foundation of the Tao, and featuring the collaboration of Al Chung-liang Huang, founder of the Living Tao Foundation, this is one of Alan Watts' best-loved works.

Praise for Alan Watts:

'His writings and recorded talks still shimmer with a profound and galvanizing lucidity' Erik Davis

'His is a protean, shape-shifting intellect, perhaps more relevant now than it has ever been' Jarvis Cocker

Publication date: November 26, 2026

£10.99

ISBN: 9781806494477

Imprint: Souvenir Press

Subject: Philosophy & Ideas

Tao: The Watercourse Way (Paperback)

Alan Watts

The last work by Alan Watts, Tao is the culmination of a lifetime's study and thought

Following Alan Watts' acclaimed book on Zen Buddhism The Way of Zen, he tackles the Chinese philosophy of Tao.

The Tao is the way of man's cooperation with the natural course of the natural world. Alan Watts takes the reader through the history of Tao and its interpretations by key thinkers such as Lao-Tzu, author of the Tao Te Ching. Watts goes on to demonstrate how the ancient and timeless Chinese wisdom of Tao promotes the idea of following a life lived according to the natural world and goes against our goal-oriented ideas by allowing time to quiet our minds and observe the world rather than imposing ourselves on it. By taking in some of the lessons of Tao, we can change our attitude to the way we live.

Drawing on ancient and modern sources, Watts treats the Chinese philosophy of Tao in much the same way as he did Zen Buddhism in his classic The Way of Zen. Including an introduction to the Chinese culture that is the foundation of the Tao, this is one of Alan Watts' best-loved works.

Publication date: July 11, 2019

£10.99

ISBN: 9781788164467

Imprint: Souvenir Press

Subject: Philosophy & Ideas

Tao: The Watercourse Way (Ebook)

Alan Watts

The last work by Alan Watts, Tao is the culmination of a lifetime's study and thought

Following Alan Watts' acclaimed book on Zen Buddhism The Way of Zen, he tackles the Chinese philosophy of Tao.

The Tao is the way of man's cooperation with the natural course of the natural world. Alan Watts takes the reader through the history of Tao and its interpretations by key thinkers such as Lao-Tzu, author of the Tao Te Ching. Watts goes on to demonstrate how the ancient and timeless Chinese wisdom of Tao promotes the idea of following a life lived according to the natural world and goes against our goal-oriented ideas by allowing time to quiet our minds and observe the world rather than imposing ourselves on it. By taking in some of the lessons of Tao, we can change our attitude to the way we live.

Drawing on ancient and modern sources, Watts treats the Chinese philosophy of Tao in much the same way as he did Zen Buddhism in his classic The Way of Zen. Including an introduction to the Chinese culture that is the foundation of the Tao, this is one of Alan Watts' best-loved works.

Publication date: October 20, 2011

£9.99

ISBN: 9780285640610

ISBN 10 / ASIN: B007KL6MK4

Imprint: Souvenir Press

Subject: Philosophy & Ideas

Reviews for Tao: The Watercourse Way

'Watts begins with scholarship and intellect and proceeds with art and eloquence to the frontiers of the spirit ... This is a profound and worthy work, left by a teacher to echo and re-echo'

 Los Angeles Times

'A remarkable book because of Alan Watts's talent for communicating Eastern ways of thought ... This book is a 'must''

 Shambhala Review

'

Praise for Alan Watts:
It's like he's unearthing thoughts that are in our collective subconscious and have always been there

'

Spike Jonze 

'The perfect guide for a course correction in life'

Deepak Chopra 

'An antidote to all the outrage and tribalism of the online world... his is a protean, shape-shifting intellect, perhaps more relevant now than it has ever been'

Jarvis Cocker 

'His writings and recorded talks still shimmer with a profound and galvanizing lucidity'

Erik Davis 

'Alan Watts found humour in the human condition, and the comic in the cosmic. We need that'

Jeremy Stockwell, director of Out of My Head – Alan Watts is Alive and Well... Dead 

'He was a dharma door for many: a door that you pass through that takes you into a practice or a study that enriches or opens up your life'

Roshi Joan Halifax, zen buddhist teacher and author of BEGIN WITH DYING 

'Praise for Tao'

: 

'Profound, reflective, and enlightening'

 Boston Globe

'Beautifully produced... classic work which examines the Chinese philosophy of Tao, with fine examples of Chinese calligraphy'

Yoga & Health 

Alan Watts

Alan Watts

Alan Watts published over 25 books, including The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, The Way of Zen and Tao: The Watercourse Way.

He was a philosopher, academic and theologian, who wrote and spoke widely on Asian philosophy and theology. He is best known as an interpreter of Zen Buddhism in particular, and of Indian and Chinese philosophy in general. He was the author of more than twenty books on the philosophy and psychology of religion. He died in 1973.

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