Become What You Are book cover

Become What You Are by Alan Watts Summary

Become What You Are
Alan Watts
4.08 (5684 Reviews)
Philosophy
Mindfulness
Self-growth
Panoramica
Punti Chiave
Autore
Domande Frequenti

Overview of Become What You Are

In "Become What You Are," Alan Watts bridges Eastern and Western philosophies, inviting you to embrace your authentic self. Called the "godfather of Zen in America," Watts challenges conventional identity - what if true freedom lies in accepting who you already are?

Similar books to Become What You Are

Esplora il Tuo Modo di Imparare
Riassunto Rapido8min

Senti il libro attraverso la voce dell'autore

Approfondimento42min

Trasforma la conoscenza in spunti coinvolgenti e ricchi di esempi

Flashcard8 spunti

Cattura le idee chiave in un lampo per un apprendimento veloce

Divertente18min

Goditi il libro in modo divertente e coinvolgente

Altri come questo

book cover
Talking Zen
Alan W. Watts
book cover
The Book
Alan W. Watts
book cover
The Wisdom of Insecurity
Alan Watts
book cover
The Way of Zen
Alan W. Watts
book cover
Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life
Wayne W. Dyer
book cover
Your Sacred Self
Wayne W. Dyer
book cover
The Power of Awakening
Wayne W. Dyer
book cover
Awareness
Anthony de Mello
book cover
Going Solo
Eric Klinenberg
book cover
The Problems of Philosophy
Bertrand Russell
book cover
Everybody Writes
Ann Handley

Punti chiave

1

The Paradox of Becoming What You Already Are

play
00:00
00:00

Have you ever noticed how we spend our lives trying to become something we suspect we already are? This contradiction forms the heart of Alan Watts' philosophical masterpiece. The wisdom traditions have long pointed to this peculiar human dilemma: "He that loseth his soul shall find it." But this isn't some moral prescription-it's a profound psychological insight into the mechanics of transformation. The problem emerges when we attempt self-improvement through self-renunciation. How can the self that needs changing also be the agent of change? It's as impossible as "a needle pricking its own point." Spiritual teachings that emphasize self-denial function as upaya (skillful means)-roundabout methods leading to the humiliating discovery that self-improvement is impossible. This very realization constitutes the death to self from which new life emerges. In Zen terms, transformation happens when "the iron hide of the bull finally and absolutely rejects the mosquito's frail proboscis." Those who have genuinely died to themselves make no claims to spiritual achievement. They see themselves as merely lazy and lucky, recognizing a universal truth available to anyone. When we finally surrender to what we cannot resist-like our terror of mortality-it transforms alchemically into freedom. This happens precisely when we discover we cannot surrender ourselves, when all striving ceases like "a naked man trying to lose his shirt."

2

Living in the Eternal Now

3

Beyond Concepts and Fingers

4

The Quality of Being

5

The Art of Non-Doing

6

The Lightness of Being

7

The Freedom of Not Knowing

Esplora il Tuo Modo di Imparare
Become What You Are non è solo un libro — è una masterclass in Philosophy. Per aiutarti ad assorbire le sue lezioni nel modo che funziona meglio per te, offriamo cinque modalità di apprendimento uniche. Che tu sia un pensatore profondo, un apprendista veloce o un amante delle storie, c'è una modalità progettata per il tuo stile.

Modalità Riassunto Rapido - Leggi o ascolta il riassunto di Become What You Are in 8 minuti

Riassunto Rapido
Riassunto Rapido
Riassunto di Become What You Are in 8 Minuti

Scomponi le idee chiave di Become What You Are in punti facili da capire per comprendere come i team innovativi creano, collaborano e crescono.

play
00:00
00:00

Modalità Flashcard - Top 8 Spunti da Become What You Are in Sintesi

Flashcard
Flashcard
Top 8 Spunti da Become What You Are in Sintesi

Distilla Become What You Are in rapidi promemoria che evidenziano i principi chiave di franchezza, lavoro di squadra e resilienza creativa.

Flash Mode Swiper

Modalità Divertente - Lezioni da Become What You Are Raccontate in Storie di 18 Min

Divertente
Divertente
Lezioni da Become What You Are Raccontate in Storie di 18 Min

Vivi Become What You Are attraverso narrazioni vivide che trasformano le lezioni di innovazione in momenti che ricorderai e applicherai.

play
00:00
00:00

Modalità Personalizza - Leggi o ascolta il riassunto di Become What You Are in 0 minuti

Personalizza
Personalizza
Vivi Become What You Are a modo tuo.

Chiedi qualsiasi cosa, scegli la voce e co-crea spunti che risuonino davvero con te.

Personalize Mode

Creato da alumni della Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed Riunisce Una Community Globale Di Oltre 200.000 Menti Curiose

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
Inizia il tuo percorso di apprendimento, ora
Scarica questo riassunto

Ottieni il riassunto di Become What You Are in formato PDF o EPUB gratuito. Stampalo o leggilo offline quando vuoi.