Just So: An Odyssey into the Cosmic Web of Connection, Play, and True Pleasure

I am hooked on Alan Watts, and this is a great addition with 12 discs. Don't need all the fru-fru of explanation with a touch of music. Watts doesn't need it

Mind opening

Just so

I am halfway through this 12 CD disk set and can already say with confidence that it is excellent. If you are an Alan Watts fan then you may already have purchased "Out of Your Mind"(10 CD) and "Do you do it or does it do you?" (4 CD). You might be wondering whether this is a worthwhile purchase - I am delighted to confirm an emphatic "yes".The sound quality is generally excellent, better most of the time than on his other collections, so that he sounds as if he is in the room with you. The "lectures" are obviously in front of an audience and you can hear their frequent laughter; sometimes you have to put "two and two" together because he is obviously referring to drawings that he has made on a board, although this is not a problem.His discussions and predictions about technology are frankly startling; his ideas include the internet, the smartphone, the kindle and Skype, all years before they actually happened.His discussions about ecology, enlightenment and spirituality all offer fresh insights that have not been heard in his other lectures though, of course, if you have heard his previous lectures you will be familiar with much of his philosophy, i.e. the illusion of separation; the myth of the physical and spiritual.As always, one is struck by his astonishing intelligence and insight - his casual reference to books on theology, Eastern religion, physics, literature and other sources is simply mind boggling. I cannot think of anyone in recent memory whose understanding of religion and its historical and social context is so comprehensive.He talks compellingly about an intelligent universe though, of course, that theory is generally dismissed today. Nonetheless, when you listen to him, he is so insightful that you really do wonder.The other thing about him is that although he talks about spirituality at a very deep level, he is completely human and has none of the veneer or phoniness that many spiritual teachers have. I also have to add that he would not be happy with this distinction of spiritual; he believed that the "thing underlying everything" could not be grasped by the mind but could be perceived by deeper levels of understanding. If that sounds like mumbo jumbo then do buy this collection - even if he was wrong, there are very few people who could speak so articulately about the nature of reality as Alan Watts.For those of you who have stumbled on this review by accident, let me assure you that this is a collection that is worth every penny of your money. Entertaining, interesting and thought provoking, you are unlikely to come across a speaker who manages to be so lucid in an effortless and humorous way. Many of his insights have hardly dated at all considering that these lectures were given in the 1960s.Well done Sounds True for compiling these and publishing them.Finally, I must add that I ordered these through Books Etc and was absolutely delighted with their service and discount. Hope this is helpful - am very happy to answer any questions if you have them.