Discover the profound wisdom of Alan Watts through his thought-provoking quotes. This influential philosopher and writer has captivated audiences with his unique perspectives on life, spirituality, and the human experience.
Join us on a journey of enlightenment as we delve into the depths of Watts’ teachings, offering insights and inspiration to enrich your own understanding. Prepare to be awakened to new possibilities and profound truths as we explore the timeless wisdom of Alan Watts, one quote at a time.
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Also check – Anime Quotes / Thursday Quotes
Alan Watts quotes
1. “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
2. “The more a thing tends to be permanent, the more it tends to be lifeless.”
3. “The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple.”
4. “The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
5. “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.”
6. “Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.”
7. “The art of living… is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful clinging to the past on the other. It consists in being sensitive to each moment, in regarding it as utterly new and unique, in having the mind open and wholly receptive.”
8. “No one is more dangerously insane than one who is sane all the time: he is like a steel bridge without flexibility, and the order of his life is rigid and brittle.”
9. “You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean.”
10. “We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.”
11. “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”
12. “The more you pursue feeling better all the time, the less satisfied you become, as pursuing something only reinforces the fact that you lack it in the first place.”
13. “The ego is a social institution with no physical reality. The ego is simply your symbol of yourself. Just as the word ‘water’ is a noise that symbolizes a certain liquid without being it, so too the idea of ego symbolizes the role you play, who you are, but it is not the same as your living organism.”
14. “The meaning of freedom can never be grasped by the divided mind. If I feel separate from my experience, and from the world, freedom will seem to be the extent to which I can push the world around, and fate the extent to which the world pushes me around. But to the whole mind, which has no circumference, freedom and fate are the same.”
15. “The only thing that ultimately matters is to eat an ice-cream cone, play a slide trombone, plant a small tree, good God, now you’re free.”
16. “You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing.”
17. “Problems that remain persistently insoluble should always be suspected as questions asked in the wrong way.”
18. “We do not ‘come into’ this world; we come out of it, as leaves from a tree.”
19. “You don’t look out there for God, something in the sky, you look in you.”
20. “We seldom realize, for example, that our most private thoughts and emotions are not actually our own. For we think in terms of languages and images which we did not invent, but which were given to us by our society.”
21. “We are living in a culture entirely hypnotized by the illusion of time, in which the so-called present moment is felt as nothing but an infintesimal hairline between an all-powerfully causative past and an absorbingly important future. We have no present. Our consciousness is almost completely preoccupied with memory and expectation.”
22. “Technology is destructive only in the hands of people who do not realize that they are one and the same process as the universe.”
23. “The world is filled with love-play, from animal lust to sublime compassion.”
24. “It’s like you took a bottle of ink and you threw it at a wall. Smash! And all that ink spread. And in the middle, it’s dense, isn’t it? And as it gets out on the edge, the little droplets get finer and finer and make more complicated patterns, see?”
25. “What the devil is the point of surviving, going on living, when it’s a drag? But you see, that’s what people do.”
26. “The more one studies the things in nature, the more one appreciates the beauty of the world.”
27. “But the attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be.”
28. “What I am really saying is that you don’t need to do anything, because if you see yourself in the correct way, you are all as much extraordinary phenomenon of nature as trees, clouds, the patterns in running water, the flickering of fire, the arrangement of the stars, and the form of a galaxy. You are all just like that, and there is nothing wrong with you at all.”
29. “Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.”
30. “The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
In conclusion, the quotes of Alan Watts have provided us with a rich tapestry of profound insights and thought-provoking perspectives. Through his words, we have been challenged to question our assumptions, embrace the present moment, and explore the interconnectedness of all things. Watts’ teachings remind us to live fully and authentically, embracing the inherent mysteries of existence. As we carry his wisdom in our hearts, may we continue to seek a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Let us embody the spirit of Alan Watts, embracing life’s paradoxes and finding profound meaning in every moment.
Alan Watts quotes on love
Love, a profound and universal experience, has been contemplated by countless philosophers and thinkers throughout history. Among them, Alan Watts, a renowned philosopher, writer, and speaker, offers insightful perspectives on the essence and nature of love. His thought-provoking quotes on love challenge conventional notions, inviting us to explore the depths of this complex emotion.
1. “Love is not something that is a sort of rare commodity, everybody has it.”
2. “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
3. “The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost.”
4. “Love is not an exclusive relationship with another person; love is the quality that arises when we are in contact with our inner being.”
5. “To love is to be vulnerable.”
6. “Love is the absence of judgment.”
7. “We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.”
8. “Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.”
9. “The more you give it away, the more it comes back.”
10. “Love is not something you do, it’s a way of being.”
11. “You can only understand love by loving.”
12. “The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple.”
13. “If you say that getting the money is the most important thing, you’ll spend your life completely wasting your time.”
14. “This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now.”
15. “The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
16. “Paradoxically, the ability to be alone is the condition for the ability to love.”
17. “The art of living… is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful clinging on the other.”
18. “You are that vast thing that you see far, far off with great telescopes.”
19. “What I am really saying is that you don’t need to do anything because if you see yourself in the correct way, you are all as much extraordinary phenomenon of nature as trees, clouds, the patterns in running water, the flickering of fire, the arrangement of the stars, and the form of a galaxy.”
20. “But the attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be.”
21. “In other words, a person who is fanatic in matters of religion, and clings to certain ideas about the nature of God and the universe, becomes a person who has no faith at all.”
22. “Faith is a state of openness or trust.”
23. “The only thing that ultimately matters is to eat an ice-cream cone, play a slide trombone, plant a small tree, good God, now you’re free.”
24. “No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.”
25. “But at any rate, the point is that God is what nobody admits to being, and everybody really is.”
26. “When we attempt to exercise power or control over someone else, we cannot avoid giving that person the very same power or control over us.”
27. “Things are as they are. Looking out into the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations.”
28. “Waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagine yourself to be.”
29. “Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.”
30. “You’re under no obligation to be the same person you were 5 minutes ago.”
Alan Watts’ quotes on love resonate deeply, urging us to transcend conventional boundaries and embrace love as a transformative force. His words remind us that love is not merely a romantic sentiment, but a fundamental aspect of our existence. Through his wisdom, Watts encourages us to approach love with openness, compassion, and a sense of wonder, inspiring us to forge deeper connections and lead more meaningful lives.
Alan Watts quotes on life
Alan Watts, the renowned philosopher and writer, has left a profound impact on our understanding of life and its intricate mysteries. His profound insights and thought-provoking quotes have inspired countless individuals to question the nature of existence and find meaning in the present moment. In this blog, we delve into some of Alan Watts’ most thought-provoking quotes on life, inviting you to reflect upon the wisdom they offer.
1. “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
2. “No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.”
3. “This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now.”
4. “The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple.”
5. “To go out of your mind at least once a day is tremendously important.”
6. “You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself.”
7. “Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.”
8. “The more a thing tends to be permanent, the more it tends to be lifeless.”
9. “The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
10. “The only thing that ultimately matters is to live a life that matters.”
11. “Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.”
12. “You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing.”
13. “We do not ‘come into’ this world; we come out of it, as leaves from a tree.”
14. “You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean.”
15. “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”
16. “To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim, you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do, you will sink and drown.”
17. “The more a thing tends to be permanent, the more it tends to be lifeless.”
18. “The ego is a social institution with no physical reality. The ego is simply your symbol of yourself.”
19. “You are that vast thing that you see far, far off with great telescopes.”
20. “Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.”
21. “You don’t look out there for God, something in the sky, you look in you.”
22. “To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim, you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do, you will sink and drown.”
23. “You are the universe experiencing itself.”
24. “Life is a musical thing, and you are supposed to dance or sing while the music is being played.”
25. “The only thing that really matters is whether you are awake in the present moment.”
26. “The future is a concept—it doesn’t exist. There is no such thing as tomorrow. There never will be because time is always now.”
27. “The more we try to live in the world of words, the more we feel isolated and alone.”
28. “We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.”
29. “There will always be suffering. But we must not suffer over the suffering.”
30. “We do not ‘come into’ this world; we come out of it, as leaves from a tree.”
Alan Watts’ quotes on life encapsulate the essence of his teachings, reminding us to embrace the present, find joy in the journey, and seek a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. His profound wisdom continues to resonate with individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of life with authenticity, curiosity, and an open mind. Let these quotes serve as guiding beacons on your own path of self-discovery and the pursuit of a more meaningful existence.
Alan Watts inspirational quotes
Alan Watts, the renowned philosopher, writer, and speaker, has left behind a treasure trove of profound and thought-provoking quotes. With his unique ability to blend Eastern wisdom with Western philosophy, Watts inspires us to question our beliefs, embrace the present moment, and explore the deeper aspects of life. These inspirational quotes offer a glimpse into his profound insights and provide a powerful catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery.
1. “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
2. “The past and future are illusions, they exist only in the present, which is what there is and all there is.”
3. “We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.”
4. “Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.”
5. “The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.”
6. “To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim, you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do, you will sink and drown. Instead, you relax and float.”
7. “No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.”
8. “The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
9. “Problems that remain persistently insoluble should always be suspected as questions asked in the wrong way.”
10. “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”
11. “You’re under no obligation to be the same person you were five minutes ago.”
12. “The only Zen you find at the top of the mountain is the Zen you bring with you.”
13. “The art of living… is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful clinging to the past on the other. It consists in being sensitive to each moment, in regarding it as utterly new and unique, in having the mind open and wholly receptive.”
14. “We do not ‘come into’ this world; we come out of it, as leaves from a tree. As the ocean ‘waves,’ the universe ‘peoples.’ Every individual is an expression of the whole realm of nature, a unique action of the total universe.”
15. “Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.”
16. “You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself.”
17. “The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.”
18. “The more a thing tends to be permanent, the more it tends to be lifeless.”
19. “Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.”
20. “What the devil is the point of surviving, going on living, when it’s a drag? But you see, that’s what people do.”
21. “No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.”
22. “You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing.”
23. “Your body does not eliminate poisons by knowing their names. To try to control fear or depression or boredom by calling them names is to resort to superstition of trust in curses and invocations. It is so easy to see why this does not work.”
24. “We are living in a culture entirely hypnotized by the illusion of time, in which the so-called present moment is felt as nothing but an infintesimal hairline between an all-powerfully causative past and an absorbingly important future.”
25. “Man is an intelligence in servitude to his organs.”
26. “To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead, you relax, and float.”
27. “A scholar tries to learn something everyday; a student of Buddhism tries to unlearn something daily.”
28. “Things are as they are. Looking out into the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations.”
29. “You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean.”
30. “It’s better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way.”
In a world filled with distractions and superficial pursuits, Alan Watts’ inspirational quotes serve as a beacon of wisdom and a reminder to live authentically. They encourage us to seek meaning beyond societal expectations, to fully engage with the present, and to embrace the interconnectedness of all things.
Through his timeless words, Watts invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery and to awaken to the boundless possibilities that lie within us. May his inspirational quotes continue to inspire and guide us on our quest for a more fulfilling and awakened life.
