Alan Watts - What Is Reality?

A talk from the Philosophy and Society album foun at www.alanwatts.com/collections...
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“Perhaps the foremost interpreter of Eastern disciplines for the contemporary West, Alan Watts had the rare gift of ‘writing beautifully the un-writable’. Watts begins with scholarship and intellect and proceeds with art and eloquence to the frontiers of the spirit. A fascinating entry into the deepest ways of knowing.” - Los Angeles Times

[@AlanWattsOrg]

▶ For COMMERCIAL-FREE Alan Watts talks | play.alanwatts.org/

[@ChrisFitchtermsofservice]

404 got

[@AlanWattsOrg]

Thank you! @@ChrisFitchtermsofservice

[@ChrisFitchtermsofservice]

@@AlanWattsOrg missile vigil on the echo

[@MensAdviceNetwork]

This is where all the cool people on the Internet hangout 🕊

[@immilyshow1238]

Okay

[@Play_Nice]

❤

[@justjoe7678]

❤

[@aridley92]

❤

[@maxwigant2011]

Thank you.

[@elviavanderwatt-fb1nb]

My mom listened to hom A lot, she passed away 14/02/2024. I will listen to him more mom. To Catherine Wattson.

[@biomat-eu]

❤

[@cathithomas2888]

Bless you.

[@suddentroubles9501]

Please take care, there's many miles that lay a head.

[@BlackscottishfoldMilo]

❤❤

[@youngdeedo]

my mother passed on 1/2/2024, I understand the pain hope you're doing well.

[@alwayseverythingedits]

*“A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts”* - Alan Watts

[@allenvaas]

that line hits deep every time I hear it. "chatter in the skull"

[@blargblarg-jargon9607]

that might be the dumbest crap i ever heard

[@jmarlor]

“That might be the dumbest crap I ever heard” -blargblarg

[@blargblarg-jargon9607]

alan watts the pseudo intellectual for single digit iq's!@@jmarlor

[@miroslavnagy6845]

"and therefore lives in the world of illusion"

[@DonPayne-vt9rq]

My heart aches for truth. My spirit cries out for relief. My soul is made whole by the life of the light. Once I removed religion from my supernatural walk, I now am the closest to God I have ever been. ❤

[@danreyman]

In my opinion, Alan Watts was and is the best spiritual teacher ever: because he didn't keep you busy with spiritual discipline. He said it's right there for all to see

[@dangerousdiscourse]

Yes, but to obtain that awareness, one must go through stages of true, discipline to a daily spiritual process, amongst other things, which is ironic bc, once you reach the plateau of those efforts, you realize it was all right there in the first place. Always has been. 🙏

[@kennethfurr7397]

@@dangerousdiscourse For years I tried. I tried this. I tried that. This discipline. That practice. This group. That group. I wore this hat and that hat. I read this book. I read that book. Then I decided to forget about all of that nonsense. I stopped trying. This "I" that was trying.... What is that?!? How ridiculous!!!

[@djtlmusicofficial]

Came here to say the same thing 🙌🏼 Couldn’t agree more.

[@Pabu69]

Nothing to see, no one to see it.

[@josephallen3504]

Curious, have you observed j.kristnamurti?

[@TommyGuichardo]

Alan watts is the universe, speaking to you ... telling you, that you are it.

[@erickrizan7421]

When he said you are the big bang it startled me, never thought of it like that before

[@Dedicated_Movements]

Around 15 years ago I discovered Alan's lectures. The only way I've ever been able to explain his impact in simplicity is that Alan Watts has made me think the most interesting thoughts I've ever had. I met an old friend of his name Gerry and her Dog Karmalita in SF area , sweetest lady. She gave my friend & I a ride while we're hitch hiking on our backpacking trip. She told us a lot about Him, the wild side, the friendly side, and everything in-between. Ever since my discovery, I truly believe I've never seen the world, my life, or energy in the same way again. I found Alan's work when I was in a dark place in life and it helped pull me out and here I am 15 years later going through something similar as the past and what decided to pop up today... a beautiful lecture from the man himself. Thank you Alan I wish I could personally thank you for your life's devotion to enlighten the world, as still to this very day your impact has grown larger than you may ever had imagined. Thank you Alan 🙏

[@Unfamous_Buddha]

I've always wanted to thank him. If I had to live my life over again and I could read only one book, it would be his "This Is It."

[@ChrisFitchtermsofservice]

Dude was crystal 25

[@ChrisFitchtermsofservice]

Check Robert Anton Wilson

[@juliesmoochy3996]

Just imagine if every government official, police authority, council worker, judge, solicitor, teacher, parent, bishop, doctor, etc, had Alan Watts enlightened intelligence. Just imagine what world and existence we would experience. If only this was reality. . Miss you Alan.

[@ocarina6908]

Buddhism really could save the world if we all understood and accepted it.

[@reginalewilliams4472]

Imagine???

[@deathcomet1834]

It would be a boring world 😂. Didn’t you listen at all xD

[@ericpena7173]

Unity rules Supreme of all

[@armandovilla1443]

Every one does they are all playing their part of the events that our society is doing at this point of time .

[@OuterGalaxyPassat]

7 years ago i went thru the worst part of my drug addiction 3 ODs and was still digging my grave deeper and deeper. Heard a small 4 mins of how life is more important with oneself in it and it saved my life and allowed me to have the strength to climb out of that hole. Allowing me to watch my oldest son who will be 8 this year and i can say in Aug I’ll be 7 years clean! I hope one in addiction see this and will notice life is better with you in it!

[@Scott-xj3bb]

Congratulations on 7 years. 🙏 NAMASTE 🙏

[@pepeprogramminghub]

Alan is a mix of ancient and modern intelligence.

[@timvermeulen639]

The moment I dare to take life too seriously I hit that play button somewhere on the internet and come to senses. This man is the universe most sane creation and this is one of his most amazing talks.

[@nehavaid5918]

Love this

[@flynnmartschinke5189]

This is awesome man

[@mondop5270]

There are many alan watts in msny cultures, you are doing exactly what he is speaking about in much of his monologues- expand your reading or continue as you are, its no diffrent to me

[@timvermeulen639]

@@mondop5270 @mondop5270 Off course there are. But from all the great philosophers. he is the one that never took anything seriously. And that's just entertainingly beautiful to listen to.

[@incognito7479]

My sentiments exactly

[@migram4190]

Alan and Ram Dass the eternal gurus of truth ❤️

[@christyneary]

I've just realized I'm 13.8 billion years old.

[@SaulEmersonAuthor]

Indeed! I actually these days think less in terms of the given year/date - but I make up my own 'Stardate'. So today I think of as stardate 1332024428 With '13' representing a rough count of 'aeons' '3' a complete guess at 'epochs/eras' - & then down to the calendar system we recognise currently. All rather arbitrary - would love to be doing it better - but I prefer this to the much more suffocating constructs such as 'Monday morning'!

[@karoakestream]

We were probaly born the same year.

[@thomkesson790]

According to Alan Watts. As above, So Below. You've been here since the beginning. And you will continue to be even after you are gone. 😉

[@Faus4us_Official]

There's no number

[@illdoctrine9329]

No… you’re not.

[@naasduplessis855]

This man had great wisdom. If one is able to view the world in the way he did I think it becomes near impossible to give way to hating.

[@benayers8622]

not so simple i was once fully there but recently I am becoming bitter at the corruption and governments and bad laws i try remember its all necessary like i know is true but it's as if i get lost in the moment have hateful thoughts about the evil who corrupt the innocent and then just too late i realise and go oh damn i need to stop.. Its not something that is permanent or a constant sadly and hate can unfortunately sneak back in especially in this "new normal" i need to 're centre' myself they call it.. It seems like once attained it would be easy and its easy to remember what you know is true but even though we sometimes will react still.. Its ok though you never forget the truth so you are able to re centre yourself and if my preferred sacrament was still available id be able to do that much easier so i guess its a sign to train my unassisted meditation up that would be understandable ✌❤️

[@themartian7121]

Hello Naas Are you from South Africa?

[@naasduplessis855]

@@themartian7121 Yes I am

[@sbaumgartner9848]

Or wasting our time on unimportant things.

[@Ghhfjbxzstuiikm]

It’s more he just had a really good way of translating eastern teaching to the west. Every idea in this video has existed for a couple thousand years in the east.

[@Earthangel63]

I stumbled upon his lectures on you tube about a year ago. Now I can’t sleep without him, and THAT makes me keep listening to the same ones over and over cause sometimes I fall asleep too quickly. So there’s always something I haven’t heard him say ! Lol. Oh how I love his voice too. ❤❤❤❤

[@The_Eternal_Now]

Thank you for making me feel normal. I haven't felt normal since I listened to the "You do not exist-" lecture almost 1 year ago. What a wonderful rascal he is.

[@Earthangel63]

@@The_Eternal_Now it’s spooky to hear him talk about his generation because he’s pretty spot on about right now. We never learn. Wish he was around now and listen to him talk about OUR GENERATION. I’m pretty sure he’s somewhere just shaking his head. I love to hear him speak. Keep posting whatever you got!

[@2flight]

I was in my 20s, 1970, when I read some Alan Watts and enjoy having youtube to hear him again. He is certainly one of the helpful people, or instigators of helpfulness.

[@Off_Grid_In_Utah]

Where did you read Alan Watts talks? I have only heard him on KZbin.

[@2flight]

@@Off_Grid_In_Utah He wrote books long before KZbin.

[@EllyTaliesinBingle]

Almost 30 now myself and enjoying hearing for first time this past year now.

[@mytinkabella]

I was in my 20s in the 80s and Alan Watts has been part of my journey ever since then. Brilliant ❤

[@mcallister8832]

Congratulations on getting that far in life

[@Giachinno]

Even though, I stayed in my chair. Crying, listening to this made me realize how lucky I am. I love you alan watts.

[@clintstiemke3788]

The reality is, that we have been trained forever to look at others and judge. Instead, we must realize we all emerged from the same protozoic slime. We are only here for a little while. What you have is what you should enjoy

[@redpillnibbler4423]

The mind is like music being played.

[@Thatkidnatesgarage]

I’m sooo happy I found this. I thought I was the only one that thought this way and realized this and the fake world we are presented with and that distracts most from the real nature and reality of earth and our lives and our universe

[@seismixx]

everytime i listen to alan watts, I play the guitar. I dont know why, I actually dont feel the need to, I dont know what im gonna play, hell I dont even know what Im playing, I just play, and it felt amazing.

[@just_mike_22]

Time is a human construct. I can only be here and now. All that exists is the NOW. The past is realm of regret, the future one of anxiety, both existing ONLY within our mind.

[@redpillnibbler4423]

It’s as though the mind is a being unto itself.

[@just_mike_22]

@@redpillnibbler4423 Not as though...It IS! 😎

[@JS-ow8fe]

I’ve never cried and felt enlightened and grateful at the same time, thank you Alan watts, I hope you’re watching from heaven.

[@cecilcharlesofficial]

that’s the feeling

[@jeffperkins3582]

He's watching through your eyes, through all of ours...

[@garyofnyc]

I love the background music--and its the perfect volume and the right tone and tenor. This is an awesome lecture. A true modern thinker.

[@chasetuttle2780]

Yeah I love the background music for Alan Watts lectures. I need that ambience for when I’m on my walks out in nature. :)

[@stevesyncox9893]

The chillstep stuff is transcendental

[@James-wv3hx]

I used to listen to Mr Watts on the radio in the nineteen sixties. I'm glad l found this. Thanks 😊.

[@AlanWattsOrg]

Thanks for listening

[@inzanity79]

In my gooey prickly opinion this is the finest, most concise, elucidation of this great man’s philosophy. Long time listener -appreciative and grateful for his perspective and insight! We are each waving back at the universe.

[@evansnick81]

Shame it's ruined by music in background

[@Robster65]

​@@evansnick81and that annoying scratching

[@munkeeboi1982]

​@@evansnick81and the silly man in the foreground. ;)

[@Cua-tanet]

"Because you and I are flukes in this cosmos, and we like our way of life, we like being human, if we want to keep it, say these people, we've got to fight nature, because it will turn us back into nonsense, the moment we let it." 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@MrMiroslavius]

True

[@MomfatTheDumb]

The voice of this man is the most calming sound

[@farhadalaei4934]

Among all spiritual men,Alan watts is truly unique.

[@Spartacu3]

I love his voice 😆 sooo calming 😌 💕

[@SewakS108]

His laughter is amazing

[@SuperMacik1]

I agree, I used to fall asleep listening to Alan Watts until I met my girlfriend. She said that his voice gives her nightmares. She said he talks like a Batman villain 😂

[@melodinumbra]

Alan Watts has allowed me to see that truth lies in understanding, and that life simply is.

[@wenmcbrainvansandt3030]

My mentor, in our Hopi Tewa culture, we are taught to listen and respect and learn as much as we can from all our elders. All elders no matter who they are really. Makes me wonder who their parents were and how their childhood was. The grand design of human beings are extraordinary and extremely sacred and very important to our people. Especially the women in our lives in our tribe and throughout the world. MAY THE GREAT SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL ALWAYS

[@commenteroftruth9790]

do they have a lot of strange and intriguing stories, rituals, etc?

[@wenmcbrainvansandt3030]

@@commenteroftruth9790 The stories are very interesting and important for everyone to learn and cherish and are passed down from generation to generation. Some of the stories are so beautiful still while others are very scary and extremely difficult and too powerful to understand and there are others that are not to be talked about. Rituals are extremely sacred and are practiced for centuries for many reasons, not only for our Hopi Tewa people but, for the entire human race and our MOTHER EARTH. Social dances ,men's and women's own separate ceremonies and also together in so many different ways. But one of the most important thing is the planting of our four primary colors of ancient Hopi corn which are White, Red. Yellow and Blue.

[@commenteroftruth9790]

@@wenmcbrainvansandt3030 true, sounds like cool corn.

[@NobleVagabond2552]

“The leaf is the tree” - the voice in my head

[@Off_Grid_In_Utah]

Alan watts helps me get through life every day

[@rodstewartstewart5910]

Alan Watts. The true mystic.

[@bkosimi]

One of the best talks among so many gem of talks he left behind. Eye-opening, “you are the Big Bang, the original process, there are no separate things, you came out of it like apple tree apples…” awakening begins with philosophies of genius Watts! :)

[@dedwards316]

I am from his time He was and truly is amazing very intelligent a joy to hear his voice again thank you..

[@munkeeboi1982]

Considering everybody shares that same time then so am I. ;)

[@postscript5549]

I see the beautiful patterns in terms of fractal geometry.

[@abrahamfoley3721]

Alan Watts-Spiritual Entertainer!

[@robertshaw4934]

I feel these great teachers of the mind with me.

[@Vickielynnrenegar]

Even when I don't understand him he makes sense

[@unorthodoxwisdom2666]

I had studied Alan Watts for some time now, Words cannot describe just how excited and interested I was when I found out my favorite band Nothing More listened to Alan Watts too as well as applies his philosophy to their lives too.

[@Jaybee6428]

This man was a gem, a beautiful pillar of light, a true voice in the kingdom of the heart

[@Jason.Davis.]

14:55 - Hits the nail on the head, talking about physicists looking for ever smaller particles but never finding the answer…kind of like how we spent $10 billion on a large Hadron collider and all we found was a lousy Higgs Boson particle.

[@todnorman1995]

Alan Watts stated, several times, that he was not a guru; but to me, personally, that's exactly what he was

[@desireehillman9594]

I was amazed when he put suicide into the perspective he did. I saw myself as a child in a new light. ❤ There is so much beauty in what he's says in this whole talk.

[@yoyo-wr9ep]

No need for scientists sorry . . Allan watts has it all covered ...down to the atoms 🙏💥🌻

[@rememberDay1]

Keep it rollin folks; an alan watts quote that comes to mind is to treat life as if you’re a shitty piano player. You hit the wrong keys all the time, but you just keep playin as if the wrong note never occurred

[@slavsaratlic8197]

This amazing human deserves a statue in every capital of this awesome world. Thank Mr Alan Watts 🙏 much love ❤️ and respect for everything I learn from you every day. PEACE ✌️ BROTHER

[@sandyzeatyahoo]

Yes, breathtaking. Its great other people can hear him talk. Thanks for putting this out.

[@victoriousmaximus1659]

To be able to think and conceptualize like Alan Watts is truly a feat of logic, emotion, and rationale, in a multitude of layers of thought all at once.

[@TheSimpleTruthOne]

This video is perhaps the best of Alan Watts’ teachings, in my opinion. I just watched it today, and I AM very grateful to Mr. Alan Watts for all his wonderful work! Love to all the people of our beautiful world!

[@bordercollie1140]

Love how you capitalised the I AM part of your comment, very good.

[@inzanity79]

Yes!!! Such a wonderful talk. Should be considered a basic lesson for all ‘peopling people’….

[@HeyThatsAlex855]

Reality is where we go when we dream! This reality we live in is a dream!

[@Backwards_Buddha]

The real “Alan Watts Organization” died on Nov 16 1973. And that organization dissolved 6ft under over a long period of time. Free his words Mark. They were made for all

[@RH-li3si]

Again and again he brilliantly poses the same questions for us to ponder, making us question those very questions. What we thought or think isn't important, it's HOW we think about it that matters. A wonderful mind that changed mine.

[@tylerullyot189]

When he talks about that smart girl that said stuff is a noun, all I could think is when yoda said “truly amazing the mind of a child is”.

[@gregfrasier5005]

I owe my journey to Alan Watts. Nothing more needed to say.

[@slashbash25]

this man is 1 of the few geniuses

[@eddpix]

I'm curious who else is on your list of genius

[@niggasgang8784]

I think Edd PIX is a genius

[@nikihanna2110]

I have just discovered Alan Watts recently, I am in awe of his lectures and his perception of how Divinity and Humanity are intertwined. What an amazing channel to share his work. Thank you x

[@TheVenom46]

28:57 This whole thing he says. The way he says it. It's so beautiful it makes me want to cry.

[@88readings]

Grateful for these lectures! I hope my kids continue to listen as I do.

[@mybrothercomes1088]

Great talk.

[@Seanus32]

Legend!!

[@edwinbruynooge6752]

Off course a legend !

[@wendyharris826]

He has untangled everything and made the most complicated simple. Alan Watts recordings truest a gift in the world thank you ❤

[@kennyrushing8551]

I love how he delivers this information and allows me to form my own opinions and beliefs.

[@mushotoku_ro]

Please find a living spiritual master and bee free of any beliefs ; that is the only AUTENTHIC training . You will find that Body and mind are secundary parts of human BEEINGS

[@TheSimpleTruthOne]

My personal beliefs are;“love & respect all people” - Love doesn’t LIE, CHEAT, STEAL, or KILL. “Sin” is only that which causes our brothers & sisters to experience pain & suffering. Everything else in life is to be enjoyed responsibly & cherished while we are all here.

[@benayers8622]

Organic learning is higher level stuff.. Show ur working, think b4 u speak and schools in general badly mess peoples development up i was lucky enough to learn at home and hide my intelligence at school im wayyy different to most people im so happy I got lucky cos so many people innocently trust the system. :(

[@DrTHC]

Settiing his teachings to music allows so many of us the extra sensory that helps us deeply process his teachings. It's unfortunate we aren't seeing it with this channel, because he had a reputation for being truly innovative in his teaching style; and he might've been highly attracted to the psychological question of how and why we sometimes learn better when we learn along with music. ~THC

[@Albiedadonwsc]

This brlliant intelligent human gave me more knowledge in 2 videos than I got in 15 years of going to school thank u from the bottom of my heart for teaching me what the govt an elite didn't want me to know ✨Alan Watts is my hero an I will believe him over the govt anyday

[@Allieverwantedwastofitin10]

this man is truly amazing. so inspiring, hopeful and so true......

[@Lulululu1964lulu]

We are pure energy having a human experience. Alan Watts understands that and articulates that brilliantly.

[@yoyo-wr9ep]

We are all just wiglers ,wigling with the universe ..😂

[@0ptimal]

Amazed at how well he could work through and express the ocean of knowledge in his head. Hardly ever a stumble. Just flows from one sentence to another, reciting tons of insights he's had or learned. As if he could talk forever and never run out of worthy things to say.

[@jeffperkins3582]

It's too bad he wasn't fully appreciated until now, with the advent of the internet. It seems there's a progressive sadness that comes out in his later lectures. I wish I could have been in his circle to know what his state of mind was like just before he passed. There's an odd familiarity, or as Alan would say, hintergedanken, way way back. Thank you Mark, for your work in disseminating your father's message. As an audio engineer myself, I'd love the opportunity to Re-Master and improve the quality of the recordings.

[@amberhaddad6896]

Just found these talks by this man and I’m hooked and will be passing them along to my teenage children I hope they enjoy them as much as I have thank you

[@Environmentalist240]

Allan watts is my number1 spiritual teacher

[@alexanderstevens3289]

Thankyou Alan wherever you are!!

[@killed_phill796]

This man is just amazing life is great life is hard but that’s what it’s all about ,figuring out what you want and how you’re going to achieve it . Or if it’s even worth it to you to begin with a big game

[@ciuzdamm]

Amazing! That's how a discourse is supposed to be. The rhythm of his speech is so natural! Unlike any of today's generation. Ben Shapiro and Russell Brand are an example of today's frustrated fast speaking influencers, and on top of that, they even cut the milliseconds of all pauses.

[@Charles-allenGodwin]

Reality/Life = That which is/That I am. It is the nature of Life, the All in One in All, to function/serve as a diversified unity of infinite potential, eternally actualizing as a unified diversity or Uni-verse. By definition there can be only one all-inclusive or Absolute Being (Life), in which all relative beings live, move and have their Being. Love is the recognition of our shared Being.

[@sheld0n]

Wow he really hit all the major points in a single lecture

[@user-zt2bh7xb8s]

I really love listening to him talk I have been learning a lot from his videos also

[@Deep_Matter_Analysis]

Rest in paradise your excellency!

[@mattwilson8298]

7:44 "progressively complicates itself." I feel called out. 😂

[@SebastianGavia]

Thank you Alan Watts ❤

[@waynepierce7305]

Although I feel my time is spent, i yearn eversomuch for much much more of this...

[@SkellumsJuice]

4:13 This idea about being made vs grown is mind blowing.

[@CharlesGodwin-ck2se]

The Word of Truth (Logos) is ever faithful (loyal, true, isomorphic) to Reality/Life (That which is/That I am).

[@learncommercialrealestate4570]

Thank you !!!!!!!!

[@threadless2329]

Thank you Alan

[@ouruniverse6005]

Brilliant video ❤

[@Cade805]

Love falling asleep to these recording

[@paulaspden5538]

I can hear Mark breathing, and crackling, wow thanks for leaving that in, you are a champion!

[@annewilliams5715]

Very good message! Thank you 😊

[@AliNasser2929]

One of the greatest human beings

[@dasuperbom45]

Humans love and strive to put everything into neat little boxes because its easier to deal with when its contained like water for example and this has both positive and negative influence on everything around us 🤯

[@THINKINGCAPZ369]

BEST WESTERN INTERPRETER CERTAINLY HAS A WAY WITH HIS WORD'S..... ❤❤❤

[@Mr-.Facts.]

Love your knowledge Watts

[@cherieizm]

Thank you 💞

[@AlanWattsOrg]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Tenskwatawa3]

Amazing

[@NondescriptMammal]

There are few speakers more engaging than Watts, in my opinion. He is eloquent but forthright in his language, and expresses his ideas with clarity and efficiency. He does an excellent job of explaining things very well, while also provoking further thought. It is both refreshing and soothing to listen to him speak on interesting matters of philosophy, which are so often presented in a way that makes the subject seem dry and boring.

[@HoeChan]

the stories we tell ourselves