The Philosophy Of Alan Watts - Making Sense Of Senselessness
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- čas přidán 31. 03. 2019
- Alan Watts’s impact on the world continues to reverberate. His teachings remind us about our potential connection to everything we love, hate, and don't care about, as well as our foolishness in thinking we know enough to take anything, including his ideas, too seriously.
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The Way of Zen by Alan Watts: amzn.to/2OpO4rC
The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts: amzn.to/2rszc2P
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“We do not 'come into' this world; we come out of it, as leaves from a tree. As the ocean 'waves,' the universe 'peoples.'"
Alan Watts
This is probably one of the most profound statements I've ever heard, honestly.
“Let me help you said the monkey to the fish putting him safely up a tree.”
the apple tree apples
@@SebastianGonzalez-gx5ji just as the planet peoples
If this is true then what higher purpose does humanity have than to raise healthy balanced children?
"The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced" - Alan Watts
this quote is actually by Frank Herbert
@Rebecca Leeman Right...
If you believe life is a mystery that is....
But why do I have to experience it for sooo looong 😩
@@alexanderalset3052 no, genius, pretty sure it was kierkegaard.
"Everything needs everything else in order to be anything at all."
goob
That is the holographic universe, defined!
Yes, but not all things are equal, we live in a hierarchy of priorities.
and from this, I wonder how many things could have existed but did not exist yet because its contrast has not been acknowledged enough to have made the other exist.
@@MNanme1z4xs You do not understand then. There can be no large, without small. No fast without slow, no black without white, good without evil, no heavy without light. If you think anything is more than anything else, then you don't understand.
Nothing needs nothing. Humans cannot wrap their brains around the concept of nothing though.
Even the thought presents color, but nothing wouldn't have color.
"You don't have to listen to me, I just like the sound of my own voice."
~ Alan Watts ~
Like this one a lot
Alan Watts is the best friend you didn't know you needed. ✌🙂
For sure
Perfectly said✨
Flavia Luz helped me in my depression
@@elMore1107 He helped, and still helps, me with that too! Whenever I feel hopeless I listen to him and it eases a whole lot! I hope we get better and better :)
Actually, he didn't "borrow" anything because he is not a guru, he always made that very clear. He just talked about a subject he loved. And by doing that he just suggested that we see things from another point of view and explained stuff that for us Westerners would be, perhaps, hard to understand on our own... You are taking things too seriously...
"We take seriously what the Gods made for fun."
~ Alan Watts ~
Called life.
Listening to alan watts is what helped me go through difficult times, not religion , not praying. But philosophy and meditation kept me alive.
That's what Buddhism is. It's not "religion" in the Western sense. There is no God, there is no self. No big boss in the sky.
@@alexcarter8807 agreed
@@alexcarter8807 there are many different schools of Buddhism some are more religious than others. Zen Buddhism I believe is the one school of Buddhism that Alan Watts was interested in that was not religious
alex carter you’re completely wrong
One of the two sects of Buddhism rejects god, the one you know actually doesn’t
And Hinduism has more than 22 thousand gods
I hate white people that think they’re enlightened for shitting on their own culture while praising one they’ve never lived in
As boring a person as it gets...
Spooky Boyy It’s okay, everyone has flaws. Learn, teach, and let’s grow together.
"We aren't separate from the universe. We are the universe looking back at its self in quite aw." After I heard him say that, I cried. So profound, so beautiful.
This comes from Carl Sagan
What utter bollocks
Yeah the great comedian Bill Hicks said almost the same thing about experiencing LSD. Said it better even.
If you cried at hearing that you're not fit to be out in public
@mohnjarx7801 says who, random comment on CZcams?
Surprised that a channel of this quality is so underappreciated
my thoughts exactly, I mean the quality of the editing ? Damn, wish he keep it up he can only grow
Yeah I predict major growth for the channel is soon to come
@@nicolasrivera1040 The channel has blown up in just the past few days - went from 10k subs and now is at 34k!
most people don't have this point of view so people most people don't know about it or care about it
Agreed! I can't believe I just stumbled upon it today.
I discovered the work of Alan 6 months back. It has changed my life.
Anant Mall same man
That's like the same time for me, for me it was the nature of god lecture on CZcams
I played myself into his mind through the game "Everything". I had been introduced to him when I was young, but found him rambling. Now I find him profound.
I came across his teachings 4 years ago.. Changed my life, and started my journey of self understandment and the nature of nature.
2 years ago for me
"Isn't it odd that anything exists? Would it not have been easier to just have nothing at all?" - Alan Watts
So true. Realizing this always puts me in the next mindset of how this realization makes life all the more amazing, mindblowing, and beautiful that it does exist. Makes me appreciate everything in the moment, and feel a sense of calm & wonder.
The point of that quote was to point out that the statement itself is not true
@@paicemaster6855 do you know where it's from? This is probably the most puzzling thing I have ever encountered, I often have moments where I ask exactly this.
Same, tbh
Yeah, for you to have nothing you have to have something and vice versa
Mr. Watts is my web "Grandfather" teaching me great wisdom while I go to sleep
Thank you Mr Watts for your teaching 👏
Dr Watts... Ha! More like doctor weeb. Gottem
@@Nine-TailedFox4 noo .. no .. please stop ...
He died before I was even born but still he helped me out with my depression
Same! I have never been more impacted by someone I never met. 👍
I was only 13 when he died. He helped me too! An elder worth respecting for sure! LOL!
So uh, what's with the profile picture? That pepe frog is closing his eyes and crying, to say he can "not see." It's a way for terrible people who are white supremacists among other things, to identify with each other in a wink-wink nod-nod kinda way to be like ahhhh, see it's like nazi! lol it's like a play on words. I hope to god that's not what you have it for....
@@jl9641 it's a meme not a symbol of white supremacy
@@jl9641 I bet you're fun at parties
If I could have a conversation with anyone from history, Alan Watts would be my pick.
Just imagine the energy and enlightenment such a conversation would bring.
ur neck is thicker than ur head
Jeffrey Jefferson ur ego is biggr
If I could combine conciousness, it would be Carl Sagan and Alan Watts, with a little bit of Bob Ross as well 😅
@@earthling03 That sounds like a perfect combination hahah
@@Skillseboy1 😄
Because we simply cheated ourselves a whole way down the line. We thought of life by analogy with a journey, a pilgrimage which had a serious purpose at the end, and the thing was to get to that end, success or whatever it is, or maybe heaven after you’re dead. But we missed the point the whole way along. It was a musical thing and you were supposed to sing or dance while the music was being played.
- Alan Watts
These words changed the way how I saw life ♥️
@Liam O’Neil you put into words what I've been searching for for the past half a year to a year! Thank you, I'm 22 now and finally am awakening, it's strange but fun and peaceful
@Liam O’Neil Thank you.
Kinda sounds like "live for the journey, not the destination" but with a little more flavor
@Liam O’Neil i think part of this has to do with US actual lack of true culture. I feel like its morals and eyes are on the wrong things. They are all outwards and outside things. Nothing about the internal or connecting with the earth, eachother etc. Everytime some true culture is developed it gets commodified and sold and turned into cheap manufactured products. If you go into a home in someone from Somalia for example many things in the home have actual meaning. People treat eachother differently. I had a friend that went to Morrocco for a year and said he never felt people so high in spirit before. Their words and way they spoke to one another is very different. We have a lot materially here, but we are being farmed out
Beautiful quote , thank you
Alan watts was who got me into philosophy when I was 14, I started listening to him just to sound smart and cool, but eventually I really started to listen to what he was saying and trying to understand it. Opened my eyes to other perspectives of life
This channel achieved what The School of Life tried to be.
The School of Life without the blatant political bias.
School of life with actual depth and meaning
samthepoor
What bias?
I’ve not watched much of their stuff outside of a few videos but mostly the 7 sins video
Perhaps they are both part of a whole
@@marcusmaattaeklund god i hope not the same whole
5 minutes on this channel is far more fulfilling than my entire life going to church.
Amen to that
Nice to know you are easily fulfilled.
Did you even pay attention in church.
@@MTBCEC lol nope
@@MTBCEC they probably did. Just because it makes sense and fulfills you doesn’t mean church is for everyone. You’re not the end all be all of what is right for everyone’s life. If this fulfills the og commenter then let it.
HE saved my life and i never met him...
You did meet him and at his best through his videos. What more do you want?
Maybe you just realized, that you don't need to be saved?
You saved yourself, nobody can save you
@@elliotgerrard4470 I would rephrase this: "You do not receive salvation. You achieve salvation."
@@sorinash95 fair, sounds more intellectual.
People who listen to Alan Watts's philosophy are a wholesome bunch of people. ❤️Always radiating positive vibes 🌈
I "grew out" of listening to Alan but he was my first "teacher" I found and followed online. It's nice to see him getting some attention and that lots of people are fond of him. Still, the teacher is the finger pointing at the Moon. Don't get obsessed by the finger.
Bruce Lee :)
Yes, but at what "moon" do we seek no more? Is life forever seeking a moon, which only becomes a finger in time?
Just stfu -_-
@@e-rambler4910 LMAO
Omg just realised smth*
Thanks
this is so good
But not good enough
@@JosedeJezeus according to you
"Life is rough, life is tough. I'm in this body and this falling apart. . .
Why go on? You only go on if the the game is worth playing."
~ Alan Watts ~
Yes😊😊😊
when you realize "god" is not a person(an old man with a white beard), but instead is the laws of the universe and that Christianity is nothing more than an attempt to classify and understand them . you will understand the world, the universe, reality, history, existence. it is an amazing experience but also a terrifying one. it is not a journey for all. for it WILL cause great pain but once the journey of pain evolves into a great pleasure you will become what you have always wanted to be and so much more but even more amazing than more is you will become so much less and it will be amazing.
I honestly can't put into words how amazing this channel is and how much in needed it. I was gonna type a long couple of long paragraphs but honestly i don't think I need to.
I'm just so happy you and this channel exist.
Sir Watts truly inspired me to write my first book. I’ve listened to countless hours of him speak, and have read all of his work. He is a very under appreciated contributor to the paradigm shifting of an awakened society.
Mitchell Thompson under appreciated is a great way to put it. What’s your book about and what’s the name of it?
under appreciated only in school. his books are popular, his lectures are popular on CZcams, parts of his lectures are included in pieces of music, etc.
but in school we focus on western or middle eastern philosophers.
Alan Watts is immortal, he still with us and will be forever here.
It takes me so long to watch these videos, because I’m constantly pausing just to think😂
It needs to be heard understood and exercised all in one motion
what is your pfp?
I discovered Watts in high school and it has shaped my life. I studied philosophy and theology in post-secondary, and I must say that the dance (lila) has treated me well. Life is nonetheless difficult and as the Buddha taught us filled with suffering. I thank you for this masterful articulation of Watts. It has inspired me to revisit the philosopher that has offered me so much. Cheers mate!
New World Old Problems its actually Hinduism
Sanatan*
Alan watts really turned me into a hippie and an aspiring zen master I didn’t know he inspired a generation in the 60s wow
I discovered Alan Watts in the North West Regional branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia in the Early 1980s. I was 17 at that time and the only people I knew who had even heard of him were some old hippies. Its good to see that CZcams had turned a whole generation on to this fascinating and spiritually liberating friend.
Alan Watts enhanced my way of thinking and living I love to hear his speeches all the time
I love Alan Watts, I've been listening to his lectures since around 2012 and only recently realized how much he has influenced me
I discovered around then too!!!
Influenced who?
RopeNL nice one
@@Thezedword12 Just kidding around hehe. Love Alan as well. Have a good one :D
I was BORN in 2012! I am in 2 grade!!😁
Alan is honest, aware of his own shortcomings and his background.
I'm not sure he was expecting his longcomings!
Never expected to come across a concise and well written summary of Watts and his work. You, Sir, know your shit. Bravo.
He’s my favorite philosopher/thinker, he got me into eastern religions and philosophies such as Taoism and Buddhism. Now, at 24 years old, I regularly start my day by lighting an incense and reading a little bit of Tao Te Ching (which is like the bibble of Taoism, in case someone didn’t know already) while drinking tea
Alan watts saved my life. I hope everyone finds their peace.
Gonna spread this video everywhere.
Good frikken channel. Thanks.
I cried while listening to this and have never felt happier being wrong about so many things. Unlearning a lifetime of emptiness in a few minutes, I’m still in shock. Thanks to all involved in this video, I can’t say I will be a better person for this but I feel like one knowing the difference.
still feel this?
Of course Alan Watts did not have a perfectly peaceful life, that is not possible and that is not even the point. Everything is necessary. That is the core message. Resisting discomfort is what makes it so uncomfortable. flow and obstruction, every facet of possibility that does exist should exist. Its existence proves that. The dance only seems senseless with the attempt to avoid pain. when you can zoom out and understand the necessity of everything you can calm down and ironically feel less pain
Absolutely. 🙂
Well said. Is kinda missed in the conclusion of this video. You cant overcome the struggle of life. You can only become aware of it and watch it happen, while simultaniously playing it out without taking it seriously
Wow, you’ve really understood Alan Watt’s philosophy/teachings... you’ve put it into succinct words that are even clearer than he’s put it sometimes. Which is quite an achievement! My highest compliments! I was just talking to my cousin about the difficulty of relaying a summary of his different talks.
@@EyezaGotSKILLZ I love Alan Watts but many of his ideas are very similar not only to Buddhism but stoicism. If you enjoy Alan, look up the great stoics like Epicurus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius etc. They put into practice this idea and explained it a lot more concisely.
Tell me the necessity of your torture and murder. Tell me you'll feel less pain than any other man, because you can "zoom out" and see this "bigger picture". Will you beg for death first? Because you know your existence is meaningless and you are infinitely small? Or will you beg for life first? Desperately clinging to the so called slice of nothing you have?
What dance do you know of contains a part where woman and children beg for mercy ungiven from men who rape them, sell them as slaves, kill their fathers and destroy all which they have known?
Does the desperate scramble of human flesh pouring from the sinking ship seem like a fucking dance to you?
The hippies died out for a reason. Life got hard, and then they stopped being so nieve. I only wish we could all have so little suffering born into our lives, so that we could afford to be as nieve as you.
dude I cried trears of joy. thanks for this. truly a gem in so many ways.
"What is time?"
"I know what time is but when you ask me I don't..."
This is a wonderful summary of Watts's work. It is clear that you have a real, profound understanding of his philosophy
I wish more people knew about him, his teachings have literally changed my life.
When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear.
''everything needs everything else in order to be anything at all'' damn
congrats on the great content! already subscribed, we need more of this
Luigi Is this because in order for something to exist it must be comparable or contrastable to something else?
Alejandro marrero I was thinking more philosophically than I was thinking scientifically.
@@massimoamato5593 yes, it's about how things make sense only if it can be compared to something else.
What nonsensical rubbish masquerading as philosophy.
Spot on!
A perfect piece in real harmony with his thoughts and an enlightening tribute to the man.
Great to hear Alan's ideas flowing through another and continuing their journey.
Honestly your channel has helped me so much. I watch your videos nearly every day. I find them to be incredibly thorough and thoughtful and I'm grateful for the work and effort you put into these. Thank you.
I loved him so much.
That was beautiful. All of it. The narration, the essay, the video clips. Love it. Really went to the heart of Watts and didn't spare his flaws. More please.
I've been listening to Alan Watts' lectures since I was 15, and I'm so happy that more and more people learn about him
Absolutely brilliant. This CZcams channel is in a class of its own.
sir, you have become the only channel i watch on this site now. i hope you are doing well in life, and i thank you for teaching the teachings of the great teachers in a easy way to understand; such complex ideas. thank you.
Alan Watts is the most influencial weeb in recorded history (besides Marco Polo, of course)
?
When they said he was into Eastern art I thought the same thing lmao
And Manly P Hall. Though Hall was far greater in depth and insight. I challenge any to find hid works on CZcams
Marco polo ? Weeb ? If you gonna name call , at least get the definitions right. But of course you won't understand what I am saying, Have a nice day Gonzalez.
@@bowilliam3865 jesus fucking Christ ! You can just refer , you don't have to challenge 🤣
Watts gave me the knowledge that helped me change and better my life, and quality of life,more than anything or any other person "here". Whatever works...or as my Dad would say,"Whatever floats your boat."
"it is not only what watts said, but also how we said it and who we said it to"
man that resonated within my mind for awhile
since i discovered alan watts one year ago i listen to him nearly every day.. i love his calm voice and his thought provoking ideas
I watched this video and now I wear nothing but sandals and a banana hammock and spend all day playing the sitar seated criss-cross applesauce whilst levitating... whilst writing run-on sentences. Good stuff.
Just be yourself, much better, but yeah I also wear sandals, and if they break I fix them etc...:P
I grow my own organic outdoor weed as well ;)
CRISS-CROSS APPLESAUCE
workman Lu Just like Burnt Chrysler
"Criss cross applesauce" damn it's been a while since I've heard or thought about that phrase. Brought a smile to my face
*writing run-on sentences*
His lectures are part of the videogame «everything»
Great game 😁
One of my favorite videos of yours. Thank you.
Your summaries on philosophers are beautifully and carefully written
This is such a wonderful video, thank you for putting this together. :)
Well thanks for covering Alan Watts. I find him to be truly knowledgeable .
This channel constantly blows my mind ❤
Absolutely amazing. Thank you for making this. We're all in deep gratitude to that beautiful Watts.
This channel is absolutely incredible. Liked, subscribed, shared, keep up the good work man this channel is gonna blow up soon.
Crazy good video
Thank you!
This helped me so much at an important juncture of understanding in my life. Thank you and thank you Alan Watts.
Great work by both the video and Alan Watts himself! Hats off!
"Everything needs everything else in order to be anything at all"
This video and background to Alan Watts is epic. Oooh you guys are good.
The Way of Zen is a great book, highly recommend
Thanks. Your videos are great. Clear and concise. I LOVE Alan Watts! His book "The Wisdom Of Insecurity" practically changed my life! Philosophical genius.
I was always an overanalyical person to the point where it would cause me grear strife and stopped me from wnjoying things. Idk..I think I got it from my dads side of the familt since they were all wory worts. So obviosly this drew me to psychology of the mind. I work with special need individuals so in a way it's beneficial since I can usually figure out even the most complex ones quite quickly. I started out listening to Jordon Peterson to kind of learn how to cope with things and improve my life. He helped a little, but I began to find him a bit prickly and too success driven. After 5 months listening to his lectures I stumbled upon Alan Watts and he was hard going from Peterson who is very literal to someone like Watts who speaks more metaphorically and mystically. Although after listening to Watts for about 3 monthd every day. Something profoudlny changed in me. It waz when I listened to hiis words acoompanied by chillstep I felt like I had an out of body experience. It was incredible to say the least and in those moments I really got him and eversince then I almost feel like a completely different person. I don't dwell on anything anymore. I just take notice of it then let it flow out of me. Now when I for walks alone in nature everything feels different. I actually appreciate everything around me and the wind or rain hitting me just feels like an actual experience not just something i ignore since i felt it many times before. I'm so happy I found him when I did. I just wish it would have been in my 20's and not my 40's but no point on dwelling on the past it's an utter waste of time Alan would say.
Relatable thanks for sharing have a lovely life :)
this channel will go big
“There ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue. There's just stuff people do. It's all part of the same thing.“
i think he was a pragmatist it seems he was against universals
Mr. Watts has help me understand Taoism so much, even after following it's teachings (to a degree) for 15yrs...has helped me stay hand my from wanting to take my life. This man really deserves great praise... RIP.
These videos are refreshingly insightful. Nice writing, also.
Just found your Channel and I love it. Keep it up
You're gonna blow up, your content is great man keep it up
Do not take it seriously though
Well done! That's what I needed on my run.
I found this video to be very comforting and even joyful! Anybody else feel similar feelings?
“It is what it is” -Max Holloway
I first learned of Watts through Paul Masvidal and his band, “Cynic” ..
Life altering.
Very well summed up and wonderful to see the love and message that Alan Watts shared with us all!
Excellent video & excellent channel! Alan Watts inspired me to create my channel and has had a profound effect on my life!
Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!
Keep up this great amazing work.
i cant put it to words how good these two videos were to me. i previously watched the doomer, more people need to see your work
"This morning i was discussing the joke of death,
And the principle point that i was making, was...
That death and life, or that is to say, in other words, the interval in the event, death being the interval between events, between one appearance and another of human beings, in the same way as winter is the interval between the appearance of leaves in the spring and their disappearance in the fall.
But there is, you see, the cronic fear that the interval might be all that there is, that the interval may triumph, and that there may be no event,
And i was trying to show you that there is a polarity between the event, and the interval between events, in such a way that you can no more have the one without the other, that you can't have the crest of the wave without the troph.
And this goes on, and on, and on, in endless cycles, where there are small intervals, making up smaller intervals and waves, wich group together and make up a set of intervals and waves and they, in themselves, constitute the crest of a larger wave with a much longer troph.
And the nature of being is that this is the scheme of things. But the joke about it, what makes it exciting, is the constant anticipation that there might not be anything to gain after the interval, that it might all come to an end.
And the real problem, in order to turn death into a joke-that is to say: suddenly recover from this terrible anxiety that it might be finished and then transmute the vibration trembling of anxiety into laughter, it is the same thing, only the trembling of laughter is the trembling of anxiety seen from a different point of view.
Now, what are the things that are obstacles to our being able to see that? It's almost as if life were itself a guru, and you know how gurus throw out tests to their students to see if they can pass these various initiations-all of wich require nerve in the face of some formidable obstacle. All fairy stories are full of this.
And so, life itself throws out all kinds of reasons for supposing that we are faced with something serious, instead of something playful. And i want to discuss with you, a few ways in wich in the western history this obstacle has been thrown out, and how we today are bamboozled by these obstacles." (rest of the lecture proceeds).
-Alan Watts.
This channel is a gem for when you feel sad
A beautifully explained summary of one of the best Philosophers.
sometimes you wish some people were immortal
RIP Alan Watts
He is. You can know this.
"Wonder is the beginning of love." ~ Plato
I’m so glad this video exists.
This is the kind of content that makes me thank CZcams recommendations.
"True self is without form..."
-Zenyatta
I like the play on words in the skin "Sunyatta"too, referring to the Buddhist concept Sunyata/Shunyata.
I've seldom seen such high quality videos on youtube like yours.
you need to research them more then - there are plenty of them, even better then this one
@@pointingout4369 you might be right. But every time I look up random philosophy videos on youtube they are either to dry or they are just overstimulated with epic music.
@@markusschafer3819 well. There are people like this channel, doing reviews of other philosophers, and people actually making their own philosophy or use existing philosophy in telliing interesting stories. Few of my creators I can share of the top of my head: Exurb1a, Freedom in Thought, and couple more I cant remember.
Beautifully crafted video. Poignant and perfectly paced. Thank you
As an admiring listener to Alan, this is an excellent summation, worthy of listening to more than once.
I'm so overcome with existential dread that at times I want to die.
I feel the same way. It's a difficult thing to go through
Dam plz don't die
One of my favourite things about Watts is how he gently explodes the many myths that underpin modern society and good-humouredly sends up its (and our) obsessions and preoccupations.
Are you a fascist?
Your videos bring me a happy sadness and it feels good
Thank you Sir Watts for being there with us during our catharsis.