Alan Watts (1915–1973) a fost una dintre cele mai influente figuri in transmiterea spiritualitatii orientale catre publicul occidental. Prin scrierile, conferintele si emisiunile sale, a facut accesibile concepte esentiale din budismul Zen, Vedanta si taoism, reinterpretandu-le intr-un limbaj viu, direct si profund actual. A explorat teme precum identitatea, constiinta, gandirea conditionata, echilibrul interior si relatia dintre om si natura.

A fost conectat la cercuri intelectuale si artistice remarcabile, stabilind relatii cu D.T. Suzuki, Joseph Campbell, C.G. Jung si John Cage. A predat la Academy of Asian Studies din San Francisco si a devenit o prezenta constanta in emisiuni radio si TV, influentand generatii intregi printr-o abordare spirituala lucida, libera de dogme. Opera sa continua sa fie un punct de referinta in filosofia religiei, dezvoltarea personala si reflectia spirituala contemporana.

Carti (selectiv)

1936 The Spirit of Zen

1937 The Legacy of Asia and Western Man

1940 The Meaning of Happiness

1948 Behold the Spirit: A Study in the Necessity of Mystical Religion

1950 The Supreme Identity

1951 The Wisdom of Insecurity

1953 Myth and Ritual in Christianity

1957 The Way of Zen

1958 Nature, Man, and Woman

1959 Beat Zen Square Zen and Zen

1962 The Joyous Cosmology - Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness

1963 The Two Hands of God - The Myths of Polarity

1964 Beyond Theology - The Art of Godmanship

1966 The Book - On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

1972 In My Own Way - An Autobiography 1915-1965

Postum

1975 Tao: The Watercourse Way (impreuna cu Al Chung-liang Huang)

1983 Way of Liberation: Essays and Lectures on the Transformation of the Self

1995 The Philosophies of Asia

1997 Taoism: Way Beyond Seeking

1999 Buddhism: The Religion of No-Religion

2000 Still the Mind: An Introduction to Meditation