The Wisdom of Insecurity is philosopher Alan Watts’s 1951 treatise on the origins of and solutions to modern anxieties. According to Watts, we feel anxious because the only constant in life is insecurity—which means that seeking security is futile. He says that based on Eastern philosophies, we should embrace a more realistic approach to life—one where we accept insecurity and live in the moment instead of worrying about the future.
In this guide, we’ll explain what insecurity is, why it makes you anxious, and how you’re exacerbating your anxiety. We’ll also discuss the best—and worst—ways to cope with insecurity, according to Watts, who prefers Eastern religious concepts like unity and mindfulness over Christianity, science, and consumerism. In our commentary, we’ll cover other experts’ perspectives on insecurity, dig more deeply into the spiritual concepts underpinning Watts’s argument, and explore ways to put Watts’s advice into practice.
