Alan Wilson Watts
Alan Wilson Watts: Life and Legacy
Alan Wilson Watts (January 6, 1915 – November 16, 1973) was an English writer, speaker, and self-styled 'philosophical entertainer' who brought Eastern philosophy to the West. His work remains profoundly influential today.
Early Life and Influences
Born in Chislehurst, Kent, England, Watts’ early life was marked by a fascination with Eastern thought. He developed an interest in Buddhism while still
a schoolboy, joining the Buddhist Lodge. This initial exposure sparked a lifelong exploration of various spiritual traditions.
He studied at King's College London and later became a novice monk at a Zen Buddhist monastery.
His early influences included figures like Christmas Humphreys, a prominent British Buddhist scholar.
Watts’ upbringing was relatively secular, fostering an independent approach to spiritual inquiry.
Career…
