Alan Watts & David Lindberg - Why Your Life Is Not A Journey

[@andrewbeadle1517]

That line 'but we missed the whole point all along, it was a musical thing and you were supposed to sing or to dance whilst the music was being played'..may hit like a hammer to some late in life who have just discovered this way of thinking, having spent a life chasing status and material wealth to find they played the game wrong...yet, even an hour spent in the dance of life in your last days is better than to have never danced at all.

[@marc-andrevenne3904]

exactly!!

[@secretly3652]

Andrew Beadle Couldn't have said it better

[@jaymavs]

I'd like to drop the mic for you.

[@rnilu86]

:)

[@liveotv1622]

Nilu Roy

[@unjoined]

I've been watching this a couple of times a year, every year, just to remind myself that the present is the bestest gift.

[@davidhjlindberg]

Got warm and happy reading this this morning!

[@karlvanzat4084]

I’ve watched this video so many times and it always tears me up. I’ve been fighting to stay in the dance since I was a young boy, I’m 60 years old now and still fighting.

[@jhernan594]

I'm 33 and I been listening to this video for about 5 years ! Times when I'm happy in life and times when I'm at my lowest point. It always feels like it's the first time seeing this video ❤

[@michaelmakaab5042]

Accept the fight as part of the dance; every moment, challenge, and emotion becomes a harmonious step in the paradox of life.

[@bradadey6774]

Keep on keeping on. Stay strong

[@samsungladiesmasters]

we are going to die, then dance over, goodbye

[@lamg1984]

Just keep on singing and dancing. That's the whole meaning of life.

[@firlaxon2336]

i hope you're not being sarcastic :)

[@BethanyKay]

This is profoundly beautiful in a way that words cannot express. Much love to all of you in your dance of life.

[@zacharyjune7510]

He literally expressed these ideas with words.

[@iceai6332]

@@zacharyjune7510 she didn’t say this cannot be expressed with words, she said that the way that this is beautiful cannot be expressed by words

[@jhernan594]

💃💃🕺💃🕺

[@jaymavs]

If Alan Watts' voice and philosophy on life isn't therapy, I honestly don't know what else can be.

[@yassineferchichi6627]

Combining the elements of "Saturn", "Alan Watts", and "The Tree of Life" into a single video has resulted in an exceptional creation that can be regarded as one of the greatest videos of all time.

[@davidhjlindberg]

Wow, what a beautiful comment ❤️

[@nivision]

also immediately recognized Saturn and it has always hit me deep just like this talk did.

[@rileymurdoch8810]

‘But we missed the point the whole way along; it was a musical thing, and you were supposed to sing or to dance while the music was being played’. I come back to this video every so often and that line makes me cry every damn time

[@lesliebirchard5775]

Makes me cry as well! I’ll never forget the first time I listened to this. Tears pouring down my face. I come back and listen to this often 💖

[@hatrixfps5994]

💖 💖 💖 💖

[@anymaru]

Same here. Tears are good sometimes. I get lost in trying to get to the decided destination and forget to enjoy the journey. It is not the destination, it is the journey.

[@jhernan594]

Love from Chicago ❄❄❄

[@jameskulevich8907]

Still my all time best talk of A. Watts. Centers me every time. Thanks, again, for posting it, Mr. Lindberg.

[@todd92371]

Wow. I wish every kid in school had to watch this early over and over.

[@tija_3464]

So wonderful. Wake up people. Life is too short and beautiful to be anything but happy and fulfilled

[@dashingmay]

For all his talks, this man could not save himself from his own "demons." He was an alcoholic, wasn't he? And I don't think he was drinking excessively because he was so mindful and enjoying his life, & being fulfilled.

[@yogeshshinde3452]

His words are Therapeutic ❤

[@scottb721]

I love his past tense usage. As if we've already blown it

[@RavensEdge23]

The singing and dancing IS the journey, my friend. There is no ultimate destination, but a different journey with different dancing and music. Dance the dance, hear the music, love the journey.

[@FreshaDenaMofo]

I see it as more of an adventure than a journey, because a journey implies a final destination.

[@RavensEdge23]

Lansana Camara only if you stop traveling. I see the destination as the death of the biological. And then, on to the next journey! Most are quite an adventure. :) Peace to you.

[@hjeffcampbell]

i guess life (journey)not have a destination! unless you dont want to play anymore! so is over!

[@AlanSindastreem]

There is emotion in his voice at the end. Real sadness.

[@drdanj]

Funny, talk to boaters, there's a thing between power boaters vs sailors. Power boaters are all about getting there, doing something, and then getting back. Sailors are, for the most part, about just sailing. It's the process, the doing of it. Yes, sometimes we want to get somewhere, but often it's "let's just go out for a sail." Trim, adjust, feel it, listen, watch, just be in tune, and try to keep in tune.

[@hdbhehddbz]

The point of sailing is to sail.

[@todd92371]

Great analogy. I went sailing once and fell in love with it for the reasons you just described.

[@KeesSchreuders]

The transcript: The existence, the physical universe is basically playful. There is no necessity for it whatsoever. It isn’t going anywhere. That is to say, it doesn’t have some destination that it ought to arrive at. But that it is best understood by the analogy with music. Because music, as an art form is essentially playful. We say, “You play the piano” You don’t work the piano. Why? Music differs from say, travel. When you travel you are trying to get somewhere. In music, though, one doesn’t make the end of the composition. The point of the composition. If that were so, the best conductors would be those who played fastest. And there would be composers who only wrote finales. People would go to a concert just to hear one crackling chord… Because that’s the end! Same way with dancing. You don’t aim at a particular spot in the room because that’s where you will arrive. The whole point of the dancing is the dance. But we don’t see that as something brought by our education into our conduct. We have a system of schooling which gives a completely different impression. It’s all graded and what we do is put the child into the corridor of this grade system with a kind of, “Come on kitty, kitty.” And you go onto kindergarten and that’s a great thing because when you finish that you get into first grade. Then, “Come on” first grade leads to second grade and so on. And then you get out of grade school and you got high school. It’s revving up, the thing is coming, then you’re going to go to college… Then you’ve got graduate school, and when you’re through with graduate school you go out to join the world. Then you get into some racket where you’re selling insurance. And they’ve got that quota to make, and you’re gonna make that. And all the time that thing is coming - It’s coming, it’s coming, that great thing. The success you’re working for. Then you wake up one day about 40 years old and you say, “My God, I’ve arrived. I’m there.” And you don’t feel very different from what you’ve always felt. Look at the people who live to retire; to put those savings away. And then when they’re 65 they don’t have any energy left. They’re more or less impotent. And they go and rot in some, old peoples, senior citizens community. Because we simply cheated ourselves the whole way down the line. If we thought of life by analogy with a journey, with a pilgrimage, which had a serious purpose at that end, and the thing was to get to that thing at 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 to dance while the music was being played. Produced by: David Lindberg Movies: Tree of Life Speakers: Alan Watts Music: Sleeping at Last - Saturn

[@chocolemon692]

Kees Schreuders god bless ur soul for making this

[@cyrodiil6362]

Thank you so much for writing this out!

[@calvinmartinstevens]

I logged on today for the sole purpose of making such a transcript. Thank you for having already done so! :)

[@missdeadly5484]

True words spoken. The ache in heart is crushing my chest, as my awakening has just begun. My life will never be the same after this.

[@sparrowthehawk]

I could give this a thousand likes for all the times I've listened to it.

[@sirgirthdingleberry]

Thank You for making this. It actually makes a difference in my life when I take my time and listen to it.

[@MichaelMartinussen]

Life is NOW - BE IT! - Life is LOVE - FEEL IT! - Life is a GAME - PLAY IT!

[@OffHeGoesCBX]

Michael Martinussen ❤️ it

[@tanner3285]

Michael Martinussen I want What you wrote to be on a plaque so I can hang it in my house. You should make motivational signs. You did awesome with this comment.

[@TimRichmond-n3f]

This is beautiful.... People need to rearly see beyond the rat race.... there's so many that put themselves in a motion with a goal that actualy , spiritual closes them down. I discovered Alan many years ago, he's made me understand so much and I get excited knowing how I feel and see the world now. I try and open people's mind as much as I can... I play the guitar and when I do I feel free....

[@TheZygomaticus1]

"Life... is a short walk~"

[@cartjo]

This video changed my life. Thank you. I found new purpose after seeing this, and it pulled me from the dark at my lowest point. I still watch it all the time to remind myself of what it is all about.

[@aarshaa3062]

Same here..it was like waking up-

[@kavinvanich]

I love this . May god protect us all 💕

[@dtbennett]

This is probably the most important video on KZbin

[@sterlynmccullough1236]

I listen to this every few months. I should just enjoy the dance. This beautiful video paired with Alan Watts always helps me breathe a little easier.

[@207Richy]

Never thought of it this way.

[@elevenpsy]

Life is a journey. With a start and an end. The point was to play, not to focus on getting to the end.

[@2007shellyvet]

Here I am again. Just revisting cause this video is life.

[@patrick_now_or_never]

I've loved this video for so long now. Thank you so much @davidhjlindberg for bringing about such a wonderful creation. If they had sent just one video up on that Voyager spacecraft, I just wish it had been this.

[@kathleenthijs29]

Thank you for making this! It gives Alan Watts" words a wonderful, extra dimension

[@Crosafermu]

Incredible. Beautiful ! Thanks

[@adamtaylor3352]

never a truer word spoken. This man was a prophet of our time.

[@nightninjx]

this is one of the best things i've ever heard, i keep coming back to this again and again to remind myself to actually "LIVE" my life.

[@sinbadk.7667]

Remember people...it's all life: the good times, the bad times, the sad times, the happy times, the lonely times...Life is not only the greatness, but the struggle as well. Feel the pain from the struggle, as it is a reminder that you have been given a gift. The gift being life.

[@SunilPatil-hs8wd]

His voice has that command which makes me to listen to him

[@cctrevisani]

Watching it again now. Thank you David for that beautiful and payless time of your kindness. Obrigado.

[@SafetyMentalst]

ITS PAST TIME FOR SUCH GREAT INSIGHT INTO THE HUMAN CONDITION !!

[@ErinDavenport-k9o]

All the feels ❤

[@MarkTLarry]

All travel does not have a destination. All who wander...

[@mikeorick6898]

Thank you.

[@PSVDaniel]

Please never delete this video. I've been watching this every few months for the past years

[@davidhjlindberg]

Woow, thank you so much for letting me know. Warms my heart!

[@wyliecyote2149]

Life is just a ride. Enjoy it.

[@NiftyShifty1]

This man is enchantingly brilliant. It's a privilege to hear his wisdom.

[@ObzArmchair]

Thank you

[@sarahgiulietti1813]

This is my most favourite thing ever

[@Xyz19781i]

Wow outstanding

[@DiegoDiegoNavarro]

Arrived here because it was the lyrics of a music set (Satori live @ Audio Obscura). Not dissapointed, great video

[@jagirkaur6216]

Once you realize that the road is the goal and that you are always on the road, not to reach a goal, but to enjoy its beauty and its wisdom, life ceases to be a task and becomes natural and simple, in itself an ecstasy” Nisargadatta Maharaj.

[@Masterjordant]

that song at the finale, is just PERFECT

[@goingclear2647]

Such a great relief when one really "feels" this. Thank you!!!!

[@alliancebg]

Life IS a journey, but most people just wait to arrive...

[@agrippamunyai5181]

Very good, thanks

[@stevesalt9005]

Every moment is just as sacred as any other.

[@woocash9562]

I think I understand "travel" differently. The best way of travelling is without a real aim, but just getting to see new places, straying away from the general aim we had just for fun, experiencing new things, meeting new people, and then maybe getting back home OR finding a new home somewhere else, which in a way starts a new "journey" altogether, with it's own challenges. I'd say life is a journey, and you can either pick a way where you know what is the next place you want to visit, or just go aimlessly, or simply have aims but be okay with straying away and be happy with what you get, even if it wasn't your aim (because it can be as valuable, though perhaps in a different way) and I think it all can be equally fullfilling

[@jmart9414]

nice.

[@frostellie]

Agreed.

[@alexwells6876]

I think what you are describing as travelling and what Alan Watts was are two different things. What you mentioned are the experiences we get from travelling, where we go and what we do once we have arrived at the destination, which is a part of life itself. Watts seemed to be referencing travel at it's most simplistic meaning, which is to move from one place to another (even if that's to go to your local shops) and not looking at it as anything bigger.. If he was, this speech would have been about travelling and how it's a great life experience.

[@5hanesBoard]

Just what I needed; a video that confirms I screwed up my life. Very useful.

[@susanegley4149]

I feel like this speaks to the crushing despair and suffering that some people live in and that the hope of release propels them ever onward towards a destination of the other.

[@Bassywassy20]

I had never heard this audio of Alan Watts before. It describes exactly what I was thinking about today. Synchronicities are so amazing.

[@kristinak1972]

Beautiful man he was. I wish there were more like him. Live in the moment from the heart and connect to the YOUniverse.

[@2007shellyvet]

One of my favorite videos on KZbin in the history of KZbin

[@nicolaszalazar5450]

hermoso

[@sammorrison8042]

*Mindfulness! Self-awareness!* Guys go enjoy the moment...

[@rebbitlover]

I learned how to dance...thanks to Alan Watts

[@TheClareyfairy81]

This video - This message - This SONG - The profound effect it had/has on my life will last forever - I always return here, probably always will - in between dancing and singing ✌🏼🦋

[@wafaelmaghbub2838]

His voice and words

[@salome3049]

Beautiful...dance me till the end and sing all way long.

[@Opheliaplays33]

There were 3 very famous people in this. But wow. This was moving

[@ArtyGoat]

2 months before my mother died she gave me this thing called “dance like nobody is watching” ..... this video brings that into focus.

[@aprilbrooks6189]

@Andrew Brown could you tell me more about what your mother gave you called dance like nobody is watching...i was also told by my mom to dance....

[@declan3673]

I'm going to get "it was a musical thing" tattooed. This quote changed my outlook on life.

[@davidhjlindberg]

Dec good idea! Might do that tattoo on myself

[@wapi2211]

Reminds me of this local saying " Can lamisic p zouer to bizin dancer" literally meaning ' When the music is playing you ought to dance '

[@inmimisbowl]

Thanks for making this. Alan Watts truly knows how to wake us up.

[@aakanksha7877]

I can't tell you how happy this video makes me. How it always reminds me to be present. Every year I watch it atleast once. Life is truly not a journey and I should not forget this. This is music and I have to play it.. keep playing it and enjoy it! Dance to it. I don't have enough words to thank you that you made this video.. added such meaningful clips and music to such magical words. 💕

[@davidhjlindberg]

You don't know how happy it made me reading this. Thank you for letting me know ❤️

[@sheawilliams8246]

This is the most human way to explain the meaning of life. Live in the present not the future

[@jhernan594]

Have a wonderful day!

[@KarenCowles]

This is so so true.. live every minute like it is so important.

[@marizanoyama-zee1987]

I love this. I've watched it personally maybe 20-30 times over the past few months. Great use of music and imagery to really make Alan Watts' words bloom into life. This sentiment of living life like a dance is such a resonant perspective and important reminder.

[@mimehmimi308]

thank for this video.i like.

[@roastur]

So sad & true. We should just strive to be HAPPY. Here are some of Bill Hicks quotes that are so accurate. •Life, It’s just a ride. •We are all one conscientiousness. •We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution.

[@wompasdub]

So glad I didn't listen to this 20 years ago, as great an insight it is.

[@sorinlates]

I'm gonna watch this every day!

[@pm801991]

This is so true. We live trying to achieve things that we think one day will makes us feel fulfilled. That's not how life works, you may be the most famous person in the world, the most intelligent, the biggest billionaire and still feel like shit. The analogy made with music is brilliant, a great musician is the one that makes every note count and mean something. So we should also make every note (moment) count.

[@firlaxon2336]

beautiful ..simply beautiful :)

[@onreact]

Indeed it's even more likely to feel bad when you're famous, rich or successful by worldly standards as there is a lot of envy going on, you're afraid that you lose your money, beauty or fame all the time and you have no privacy or true companionship because everybody just loves your money, fame or power.

[@boognish9869]

Kaito Please watch Bojack horseman

[@jhernan594]

Thank you for saying what i was thinking

[@barneycoffman6663]

There are many Spiritual and Religous teachings, which refer to life as a Journey; starting there and ending somewhere else. And I, like many, have accepted that explanation as gospel. However, Alan Watts' analogy of comparing life to a dance or a musical composition, strikes at that ill-conceived view. Perhaps due to my having seen 66 revolutions around the Sun and being semi-retired, it strikes home and I realize I need to dance during my remaining trips around the Sun. Thank you, David Lindberg, for the inspiration.

[@ManofUlster]

Barney Coffman Youve still got plenty of time to dance! And who knows, maybe you’ll be back around for another go anyway :)

[@barneycoffman6663]

@@ManofUlster Indeed, I look forward to it.

[@KarenCowles]

love it so... music I love, dance I love, travel I love, so many things I love my life is full of love.

[@LightWarrior_Artist]

What he says here is so true and it is the way of our existence . . but if you have had the time to just listen to even a few minutes of Alan Watts then already those few minutes will have given your life so much more meaning and perspective providing of course that you have allowed yourself to reflect and digest what he has said . . .thank you Alan Watts.

[@hjeffcampbell]

life is a journey! my friend! but is time how we want to live this journey!

[@ameliaashton-brooke2454]

A wonderful insight of life for those not ground down by the daily stress of living hand to mouth day by day knowing if you relax for a single moment there will be no food on the table tomorrow for you or your children. Time to enjoy living is a luxury for those with sufficient means for the necessities of life.

[@matokidoki]

I have been looking around youtube, and listening to all these Alan Watts lectures with background music. When I starting hearing Sleeping at Last, I felt so content. This is so beautifully put together. Thank you thank you thank you for taking the time to do this video.

[@caspermilquetoast411]

Some ways of thinking and speaking and showing images to coincide with it are so wonderful that you think it would be a shame if that weren't the way of it all. And so you begin to believe.

[@sharoncooper6319]

I love music.

[@schokominzakeks]

simply beautiful

[@MaryVonHook]

This is really an eye opener for people who think that study and work is life.. no... its different. This made me emotional🥰 i really love alan watts

[@Creepzza]

holy moly

[@ezeeexamcbse4187]

It is so beautiful!!!!

[@seanhammer6296]

Aside from the need for the basics that we must strive for, there is something missing in this. Nobody ever asked to be born and you can't just dance your whole life in the music. I'm not even really sure what that means but life just doesn't work that way. If it did people would have been raising their kids that way thousands of years ago and we wouldn't be watching this video right now.

[@hellowaya]

For those who search the music, it's saturn by sleeping at last, it has beautiful and meaningful lyric, just like the speech, and visual. Really cool vid. 👍

[@Theolddaysaregone]

Exactly. Dont go around thinking "Im looking forward to the end of tmy education, then I will be perfectly happy" or "Im looking forward to when I have a girlfriend or boyfriend", "Im looking forward to being fully grown up having control of everything". Maybe you will never feel as good as you do now, so god damn enjoy it and dance along. Life is what happen now, the past is gone and the future never arises.

[@Code-Mon-key]

Thanks 9Gag!

[@andersmagnusson7661]

I've watched alot of videos like this one, based on Alan Watts recordings. Long and short, with and withut music. This one is my absolute favorite. Not many people manage to get the right volume when combining music with old recordings as in this video. Well done!

[@fannymoree]

Thank you so much for creating this. It has inspired me many times in my life so far when I didn't know what to do. I always feel so damn peaceful after watching and listening to this beautiful creation