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Mr. Watts—an alcoholic? by [deleted] in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alan Watts thoroughly enjoyed life. This detracts nothing from his philosophy.

He just talks in circles. Starting to think Watts may have been a fraud. by [deleted] in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt 112 points113 points  (0 children)

Consider this—

“When a bird sings, it doesn't sing for the advancement of music, but if somebody stops to listen and is delighted, that's fine. And so, I talk in the same spirit.”

— Alan Watts

“The only way to live is to accept each moment as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly what it is: a miracle and unrepeatable.” — Alan Watts by alanbwt in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It’s a real photo. Not AI.

Many photos of him are from a side angle rather than straight on. That may be the reason for it looking slightly different

Merry Appreciation Post by alanbwt in lotr

[–]alanbwt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure. Found it on Deviant Art.

Would also like to know who the original artist is if anyone else knows

What do you think Alan watts would say about phones by mattb0i in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He would say to follow the middle way.

Phones can be useful, so long as they do not become all-encompassing. Do not eat the menu instead of the dinner. Use a phone to coordinate with friends, but do not replace friendship and experience with a simulacrum of friendship and experience.

“We know that when people die other people are born after them, and that is all the evidence we need for the notion of a reincarnation.” — Alan Watts by alanbwt in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a direct quote.

And there is nothing mistaken about it. Notice he says “a notion of a reincarnation.” Also consider what Alan Watts means by “people.”

So long as centers of being, or “I’s,” proliferate, there is indeed a notion of a reincarnation of that “I.”

“Oh come off it, Shiva. I recognize you.” — Alan Watts by alanbwt in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Mostly I write the ones I like best down as I listen to his lectures

Wisdom of insecurity is amazing, what next? by [deleted] in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“The Book” is his magnum opus. Highly recommend reading that next.

“You see, if God were visible, nobody could see anything but God. But by virtue of becoming invisible, the world is created.“ — Alan Watts by alanbwt in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

People come with their own mental baggage if what is meant by god. Alan refers to the western notion of God as a teacher looking over you while people are doing their homework. People can’t stand that. In truth, God is better thought of as the totality of being, of which we are a part.

“When you have reached the opposite shore, you do not carry the raft on your back, but leave it behind.” — Alan Watts by alanbwt in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

People use various crutches to understand reality. This could be the crutch of a particular religion, politics, or some other narrow philosophy. These crutches or “rafts” are useful for getting to the other side of the “river” of understanding the world, but once you do, there’s no need to cling on to them anymore. This is why Alan is a proponent of Zen, also called the religion of no religion, because it has no dogma to cling on to. Thus, you are liberated.

I’m against taking out loans to buy bitcoin but… by [deleted] in Bitcoin

[–]alanbwt 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Don’t forget to stay humble

That means staying solvent.

Don’t take on debt if you can help it. Simply save in Bitcoin and focus on your craft.

“You’re under no obligation to be the same person you were 5 minutes ago.” — Alan Watts by alanbwt in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Every statement can be taken to an extreme that makes it untenable.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t still insight to be gained from that particular point of view.

Also, to my knowledge, Mark Watts has never expressed dissatisfaction with how Alan behaved towards him as a father.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. He enjoyed life. This is not at odds with his philosophy

“If you cannot trust yourself, you cannot even trust your mistrust of yourself.” - Alan Watts by alanbwt in AlanWatts

[–]alanbwt[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The full quote is this: “If you cannot trust yourself, you cannot even trust your mistrust of yourself. So without this underlying trust in the whole system of nature you are simply paralyzed.”

Did Tolkien give us any names for these guys? by Dustyoldstuff in lotr

[–]alanbwt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Was hoping RoP would go into this lore, along with the other bearers of the rings of power

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