The Cosmic Giggle

<p>HE CALLED HIMSELF AN ENTERTAINER. THE WORLD CALLED HIM A GURU.</p><p>Before the YouTube sages and the mindfulness apps there was a voice. A rich rolling English accent that cut through the static of the 20th century armed with a Zen koan a glass of wine and a mischievous cosmic giggle.</p><p>Alan Watts was the trailblazer who took the profound wisdom of the East and presented it to the West not as a solemn religion but as a joyous performance. He was the philosopher who preferred a ferryboat to a pulpit a jester who played with the universe's biggest questions. But who was the man behind the voice?</p><p><em>The Cosmic Giggle</em> is an intimate unflinching journey into the life of the genuine fake himself. This is not another dry academic summary. This is a story that plunges you into the vibrant highs and chaotic lows of an extraordinary life exploring:</p><ul><li><p>The young boy in the English countryside who fell in love with the art of the Far East.</p><p> </p><p> </p></li><li><p>The prodigy who became a leader in London's Buddhist scene before he was old enough to vote.</p><p> </p><p> </p></li><li>The scandalous heartbreaking exit from the priesthood that set him on his true path.</li><li><p>The iconic ferryboat in Sausalito where he became a hero to the counter-culture.</p><p> </p><p> </p></li><li>The private battles with alcohol and attachment that stood in stark contrast to his public message.</li></ul><p>This is the definitive story of the sage the sinner and the brilliant performer who taught a generation that the secret to life wasn't a secret at all-it was a song to be sung a dance to be danced.</p><p>This is the real secret of life - to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work realize it is play. - Alan Watts</p>