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Understanding the concept of the self
The importance of living in the present moment
The illusion of control
Alan Watts On The Meaning Of Life
- More knowledge doesn’t equate with more wisdom, even though that is presumed by most western societies. The universe is not ambitious or with a purpose, but we are blind to that.
- The meaning of the universe cannot be understood by the intellect, or by breaking down stuff into small parts. That is like biting your own teeth or eating your own mouth.
- That the universe is meaningful or meaningless is not the point. Your trying to figure out the same by an endless cycle of questioning and solving problems is only to satisfy your own ego and become a believer or a nihilist, as per your conclusions.
195
927 reads
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Alan Watts: Spiritual Entertainer
Alan Watts was not confined to a single label and wasn’t even an expert in what he philosophized. His various recordings and books related to Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen and Taoism, however, he wasn’t an academic or a monk, not following any system rigidly.
He called himself a spiritua...
164
1.16K reads
Alan Watts On Religion
Religions are divisions, making people separate from others. Most religions follow the concept of belief, that the truth is already there and you simply have to believe in it.
These religions have imposed beliefs, doctrines and sets of ideas that are supposed to be holding the truth, and ...
183
619 reads
Alan Watts On Human Life
Human life and all the other life does not work in harmony when we try to force or impose something that we assume is under our control. Man has always imposed his own will and mind over nature, making a basic error of judgement in considering himself as an all-knowing God.
This also creat...
165
584 reads
“Life is a dance, and when you are dancing you are not intent on getting somewhere… The meaning and purpose of dancing is the dance.”
ALAN WATTS
195
637 reads
Alan Watts On Taoism And Nature
- Western society equates nature with the countryside or the mountains. Nature is everywhere, even inside us.
- Any attempt to intentionally be one with nature (or Tao) results in us moving away from it because the attempt itself shows that we are not one with it already.
173
534 reads
“Only words and conventions can isolate us from the entirely undefinable something which is everything.”
ALAN WATTS
167
677 reads
Alan Watts On The Way Of Nature: Wu Wei
Tao is the way of nature, and the way to be in accord with it is Wu Wei that is non-doing. This non-action, effortless effort, or actionless action goes past most western societies who are having a ‘doing’ mentality rather than a ‘being’ one.
Acting out of the result in mind is no...
171
481 reads
Alan Watts On Uncertainty And Insecurity
Most people are afraid of breathing, unable to exhale after they inhale, due to the uncertainty and insecurity of life. They are afraid to live, to let go and are not sure that the next breath will come, so they do what is logical: Hold their own breath.
Our fundamental misunderstanding is...
184
785 reads
Alan Watts On The Present Moment
Nothing exists except the present moment, as even the past or the future need the present moment to take shape. It seems shorter than a microsecond but encompasses all eternity.
Apart from this moment, one cannot be anywhere else.
189
524 reads
Alan Watts On Being One
- There is no us without others, and there is no here without any there. Even darkness cannot be defined without light.
- We go on labelling our feelings or our activities, saying things like I am sad, I am listening to music, or I am happy, but to really do something, one cannot label...
169
442 reads
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The Meaning of Life
What is the meaning and purpose of life?
- Answer 1: It’s personal. You have to find your own meaning. You have to find it for yourself, so the important part is not the answer, it’s the question. You just have to sit there and dig with the question. It...
Alan Watts On The Way Of Nature: Wu Wei
Tao is the way of nature, and the way to be in accord with it is Wu Wei that is non-doing. This non-action, effortless effort, or actionless action goes past most western societies who are having a ‘doing’ mentality rather than a ‘being’ one.
Acting out of the result in mind is no...
The Choice of life
- What ever have happened in our life is the result of choices we made during the moment of happiness or suffering.
- We do not know what is the meaning of life, but we know the most important thing in life is surving.
- The basics of survival is to satisfy our needs of food and sh...
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