Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Book summary
Alan W. Watts
On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
17 mins
Brief summary
"The Book" by Alan W. Watts is a philosophical exploration of human consciousness and its relationship to the universe. Through diverse perspectives, the book challenges readers to question their assumptions and seek a more profound understanding of existence.
Table of Contents
The Book
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
Few taboos remain in Western society, except the truth about what it means to be human.
As society moves from one generation to the next, we tend to shed taboos along the way.
In many societies, sex was the major taboo. In Japan, families were far too embarrassed to speak openly about sexual matters. Instead, young newly-wed couples were traditionally given a “pillow book” for their honeymoon, containing details of sexual positions and letting the couple know everything they needed to know about lovemaking.
In today’s Western culture, sex is hardly a taboo anymore. Instead, you can find it being used on billboards to sell products and referred to in most pop songs.
But one important taboo has remained, and it’s the discussion about what it means to be human.
Often, the way in which we define and understand ourselves as human beings is wrong. We think that each person is a unique organism, living a life that is completely separate from those of others and the environment.
This misunderstanding of our place in the world is apparent in how we speak: Phrases like “we came into the world,” or a person who “must face reality,” all suggest that we see ourselves as belonging to some entirely distinct and unique world or other reality.
But this is all an illusion and self-deception on our part. The truth is, we’re born from the world, not into it.
Much as the ocean creates waves, the planet earth creates people. While each wave is a movement happening on the surface of the ocean, it isn’t separate from the ocean or created any differently than another wave. The same is true of every person on the planet.
Nevertheless, we continue to think of ourselves as unique, independent individuals.
In the next blink, we’ll take an even closer look at the ways in which we deceive ourselves.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Book?
Key ideas in The Book
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Book about?
The Book (1966) is about the big questions in life. What’s the meaning of it all? Where do we really exist in the universe? Author Alan Watts guides the reader on a voyage of discovery that questions popular assumptions about what’s important in life, how the universe functions, and the nature of God.
The Book Review
The Book (1966) by Alan W. Watts is a thought-provoking exploration of our fundamental understanding of reality and the nature of being. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Delving into philosophical and metaphysical concepts, it challenges readers to question their beliefs and expand their perspective.
- With an engaging writing style, it presents complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner, making it easy to comprehend.
- Through riveting examples and reflections, the book captivates readers by offering profound insights into the human experience and the mysteries of existence.
Best quote from The Book
We do not need a new religion or a new Bible. We need a new experience – a new feeling of what it is to be I.
—Alan W. Watts
Who should read The Book?
- Spiritual seekers
- Students of theology or religion
- Readers interested in Eastern philosophies
Categories with The Book
Book summaries like The Book
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
31 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Book FAQs
What is the main message of The Book?
The main message of The Book is deepening our understanding of ourselves and the world.
How long does it take to read The Book?
The reading time for The Book varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Book a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Book is a thought-provoking read. It offers valuable insights into life and philosophy.
Who is the author of The Book?
The author of The Book is Alan W. Watts.
What to read after The Book?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Book, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts
- The Way of Zen by Alan W. Watts
- On Having No Head by Douglas Harding
- Loving What Is by Byron Katie
- Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
- The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
- What Are You Doing with Your Life? by Jiddu Krishnamurti
- The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
- Read People Like a Book by Patrick King
- Possible by William Ury