The Joyous Cosmology

by Alan Watts
The Joyous Cosmology cover
Good Books rating 4.69
Nonfiction
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  • ID: 1705
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9781608682058
  • Publisher: New World Library
  • Published: 2013-04-30
  • Reviews: 4

Alan Watts' 'The Joyous Cosmology' is a groundbreaking exploration of the insights facilitated by consciousness-changing drugs, particularly when accompanied by deep philosophical reflection. Watts, along with contemporaries like Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert, anticipated the scientific recognition of the individual's inseparability from the world and the integration of spiritual experiences with scientific findings. This book is not just a historical artifact but a riveting memoir of Watts' personal experiments and a profound meditation on the nature of existence and the sacred. More than a personal account, 'The Joyous Cosmology' bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and spiritual exploration, foreshadowing modern clinical trials using psilocybin for various treatments. Watts' work remains a timeless exploration of consciousness, making it relevant to both contemporary science and spiritual seekers.

Reviews
Goodreads · Various · 2025-10-24
profound 4.30

The book is praised for its clarity and poetic beauty in describing drug-induced experiences. It is seen as a valuable carrier of information about consciousness.

Goodreads reviewers consistently praise Alan Watts' ability to describe his drug-induced experiences with clarity and poetic beauty. They view the book as a valuable carrier of information about consciousness, offering profound insights into the nature of reality. The reviewers appreciate Watts' unique perspective and his ability to convey complex ideas in an accessible manner. They find the book to be both informative and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in the exploration of consciousness.

Quick quotes

    Alan Watts describes with startling clarity and poetic beauty his drug-induced experiences.

    The Joyous Cosmology is a carrier wave of information about consciousness.

    Watts' unique perspective offers profound insights into the nature of reality.

Reddit - Meditation · 2025-10-08
beautiful 5.00

The reviewer finds the book to be the most beautiful thing they've ever read, highlighting the profound impact of Watts' words. They appreciate the depth and beauty of the insights shared in the book.

This Reddit user expresses their admiration for Alan Watts' writing, describing The Joyous Cosmology as the most beautiful thing they have ever read. They are deeply moved by Watts' exploration of consciousness and his ability to articulate complex ideas with such elegance and clarity. The reviewer finds the book to be a transformative read, offering profound insights into the nature of reality and the self. They appreciate the emotional and intellectual depth of Watts' work, making it a standout piece of literature that resonates deeply with them.

Quick quotes

    Honestly, this is the most beautiful thing I've ever read.

    A quote from Alan Watts' The Joyous Cosmology.

    Alan Watts describes with startling clarity and poetic beauty his drug-induced experiences.

Amazon · 2025-10-08
magnificent 4.70

The reviewer highly recommends the book for its magnificent vocabulary and expressive style, even for those not interested in psychedelics. They find Watts' descriptions of his experiences to be both poetic and insightful.

This Amazon reviewer praises Alan Watts' ability to convey his psychedelic experiences with a poetic and expressive style that transcends the subject matter. They highlight how Watts' use of language makes the book enjoyable and thought-provoking, even for readers who are not particularly interested in psychedelics. The reviewer appreciates the depth of Watts' insights and the clarity with which he describes his experiences, making the book a valuable read for anyone curious about consciousness and perception. They find the book to be a beautiful exploration of the mind and its potential.

Quick quotes

    Excellent book, highly recommend it even if you're not into psychedelics as Alan Watts has such a magnificent vocabulary and way of expressing his experiences.

    Alan Watts describes with startling clarity and poetic beauty his drug-induced experiences.

    The Joyous Cosmology is a carrier wave of information.

Awestruck Wanderer · 2014-09-19
enlightening 4.75

The book evokes a sense of poetic euphoria and anarchistic delight. Watts' exploration of drug-induced experiences is both enlightening and entertaining.

The reviewer is deeply moved by Alan Watts' exploration of consciousness through drug-induced experiences. They describe the book as a source of poetic euphoria and anarchistic delight, highlighting Watts' ability to convey complex ideas in an accessible and engaging manner. The reviewer appreciates the book's unique blend of philosophy and personal experience, making it a compelling read. They find the book to be both enlightening and entertaining, offering a fresh perspective on the nature of reality.

Quick quotes

    The Joyous Cosmology inevitably sends me into a state of poetic euphoria and anarchistic delight.

    Alan Watts wrote this wonderful little book in a way that is both enlightening and entertaining.

    Watts' exploration of drug-induced experiences is both enlightening and entertaining.

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