In this episode of The Reading Cure, Steven and Alex explore one of Alan Watts' key works, namely The Wisdom of Insecurity. This book is a wise reminder of the mental health costs of trying to achieve lasting security in a world defined by change and lack of permanence. Indeed, Watts views this clinging to the myth of permanence as a seeking of security that, in a seemingly paradoxical fashion, only makes us more insecure and more anxious. Topics they explore include: What does Watts mean by insecurity and why does he see it as desirable compared with seeking security?; What did he mean by an 'age of anxiety' and in what ways does it manifest itself nowadays?; How therapeutic (i.e. mental health enhancing) are his ideas on tackling insecurity?; Why does he advocate being present in the moment as the antidote to anxiety and a vain seeking after some form of lasting security?

Further Resources:

• A copy of his book can be found on Amazon UK :https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Insecurity-Message-Age-Anxiety-ebook/dp/B008S9YTFW/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1646318432&refinements=p_28%3Athe+wisdom+of+insecurity&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1  
• Monica Furlong's biography of Alan Watts: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zen-Effects-Watts-SkyLight-Lives-ebook/dp/B01HT6DWDO/ref=sr_1_17?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1646319179&refinements=p_28%3AAlan+watts&s=books&sr=1-17&unfiltered=1
• An Alan Watts talk on the wisdom of insecurity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhAareENqbg
• Greg Goode and Tomas Sander's book on 'nonduality', which is similar in outlook to Watts' view on interconnectedness: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emptiness-Joyful-Freedom-Greg-Goode-ebook/dp/B01CRUB1DA/ref=sr_1_2?crid=HEKYV24VV0ZY&keywords=greg+goode&qid=1646319761&s=books&sprefix=greg+goode%2Cstripbooks%2C148&sr=1-2