The Trap Of Seeking- Alan Watts

[@jimmuncy5636]

Alan Watts is the most helpful life coach on KZbin. He's got the voice, the laugh, the experience, the education, and the interesting, relevant facts that hang together to make his point. Nobody does it better. Listen and seriously ponder all his lectures. Peruse his many books. He just might help you, too. He continues to inspire me. (Just my humble and necessarily subjective opinion.) (BTW: good comments below. Thanks for sharing.)

[@jimmuncy5636]

He reportedly did drink "excessively," but he also had a heart condition. And he probably smoked because drinking and smoking go together like love and marriage. No, he wasn't perfect, but his message was helpful and encouraging. His laughter alone was worth the price of admission. Glad he showed up.

[@jimmuncy5636]

+TheWholeYearInn He was also as divine as anyone else on earth. He was a god-man, like you and me, but he was more godly than me. I lack real faith so my fear often overwhelms me--a true indication of divine doubt, which prohibits inner peace.

[@jimmuncy5636]

Blu3 R3d As somebody said once: You never see a statue of a critic.

[@MrSmasher27]

nobody does it better ! xD gosh this reminds me of something

[@mildreddavis1684]

Besides, Mr. Watts knew that he or his energy would just come back anyway - so, he enjoyed life to the fullest. It was his soverign body right/rite to drink and smoke, etc., for it was his consciousness inside of his vessel/temple. It was his choice - and, the body will perish in one way or another anyway. Some want good health til the end - and, some want to be in excessive pleasure, knowing the consequences

[@BigRed4231]

Thank dog for Alan Watts, he always get´s my mind back on track when I´v ended up in some dark alleyway.

[@MyEnemy]

+Rince wind - Your dog doesn't help?

[@Blackdragon87100]

@Russian Robot I don't know, my dog helps me a lot and she's real.

[@mildreddavis1684]

@My Enemy.. Look in the mirror. Life is a reflection - and dog is the reverse

[@111Benzie]

Dr Phil? Thank dog? Even Watts would think that was a stupid comment.

[@thinginground5179]

@@111Benzie No, Watts would be chuckling at that

[@donnsmith6482]

his laugh is worth the listen!

[@nastynategreenlotus]

XD!

[@FSM46AND2]

And maybe the point:)

[@YogiBearTruthbetold]

Seeking the truth as it relates to conscious life? Search *_Truth Contest_* and read the top entry called "The Present".

[@davidryan0808]

Yes it got my soul his laugh as well...nice to see others feel the same..thank you for sharing

[@voidemptiness]

One word.. WOW! Alan Watts is THE man in breaking away from all the rubbish in life such as ego, need to be accepted, and social hierarchy. He treats all of these as rotten garbage and stinking feces in the sewers whereas everyone consider these things as life itself. He also throws the idea of religion and all the so-called godly men where we seek our salvation. He is enough by himself. He needs nothing else. That is the essence of Zen. No one can control your thoughts but only you. Damn!

[@MrBadassbuddha]

there's a great line in the film 'bruce almighty' when morgan freeman ( god ) says, 'the problem is everybody looks up, instead of looking in' ......

[@farrider3339]

MrBadassbuddha : this is mostly valid for westerners. Them easterners do 'look in' and they're getting nowhere as well. Why is this so ? *Both is a state of search* 🔎🔍🔎🔍🔎 leading away from what is . . . 🌬️🕉️🎆

[@blondecaveman9100]

It's the same thing. Inseparable. And what Far Rider said^^

[@myvoiceismysword5484]

God is in you and you are inside God at the same time ⏲

[@woodspriteful]

"Life is a celebration of itself" ~ Love it!

[@nomorestoriestoday]

I love that moment; realizing that there is nothing to realize.

[@cthulhutheseventh115]

good thing you keep forgetting lol

[@dancingoneness8348]

haha

[@sigigle]

That's good I think :) "A fool thinks themselves to be wise, but a wise person knows themselves to be a fool." "The more you build the fire of knowledge, the more of the darkness you reveal."

[@janezbiz]

alan is awesome at communicating what is difficult for most to express! thanks for uploading this!

[@shaunhall90]

Love you Mr. Watts you make my day.

[@Blackdragon87100]

I listen to this and think that I get it, then I go back to my life and start over trying to control everything. I am trying my hardest, this dead poet with his brilliance... round and round we go.

[@utherenow]

you can watch yourself trying. you can also do a great job without having the feeling of i am doing this.>> see karma yoga

[@JosetheDopeLPs]

Well, call me crazy, but that maybe the root of your problem there, trying your hardest not to try to control everything. It's just another expression of the problem lol

[@mgalin1]

Just sit. It's ALL a celebration. Experience yourself. That's it! It's an art. Living is artistic expression. Life isn't serious if you don't take it serious. Truly masterful!

[@kordlesskure]

Great lecture! Watts was such gifted speaker. I always find myself smiling when I listen to him

[@mikeq5807]

Very much enjoy listening to this insightful man. I do, however, take exception with him about his comment that if one intends to meditate, one is not meditating. Meditation can be spontaneous, happening on its own, or it can be conscious, intentional. I speak from my own experience. Meditation is the means by which we draw from the inner and universal well of wisdom, of which mind is the arena.

[@clairobics]

It's fun when you have the detachment to see life as 'play' or a game. It's contrast when its painful but you can see it as contrast. It's everything and nothing - like everything and nothing is - the more words are used the more constructs and the more and less you know - see it's impossible - the eternal spiral - goes on forever - sometimes it would be nice to have REST - ah yes - sleep - thankful lol

[@rokkumangaming7690]

Claire Lou true that, thats what i do when i get confused with all this, just sleep lol.

[@jayhill5529]

Yes! Sleep and then it all makes sense because you wake up laughing.

[@joevonzarelli106]

perspective seems to be everything

[@rogerlin9602]

You listen to guru, you fool yourself. You walk away, you also take a chance. Eventually you need a showdown with your guru to find out he is no better than you. Thanks Alan. 🤩🍁🦋🌴💖👍⚡⚓🎂🦉🤠🌈🐋🌾🌾🐘

[@rogerlin9602]

Life is a celebration of life. Proper function of religion isn't seeking but Thanksgiving. It's not something you do to get something. Meditation is only sitting. As soon as you seek something, you no longer meditate. What you experience is you. Don't take religion seriously. Thanks Alan. 🤩🍁🦋🍰😇💖⚡🎡🎯🥂🦉⭐🐋🌾🐘💎

[@Unonadados]

Great clarification on this one regarding church and why some go, meditation, etc. Thats fine if you do these things not looking for anything. It becomes an artform. "Religion is not suppose to be taken seriously"!

[@verifymyageful]

The entire point of his teachings was that there was nothing to teach.. he just had to lead you on enough so that when he showed you the hand is empty, you would give up the chase. He spent his life doing things he enjoyed, & his perspective allowed anyone's life to cohere with his teachings.. so ultimately, yes of course he achieved what he teaches because everything we do is an expression of the universe.

[@michaeldelisieux5252]

So in line with what's going on here! Listening to this lecture, suddenly, everything made so much sense in not making sense at all...Sort of a "click"!I Came in the right moment, if there's such a thing! And for that, am grateful! Cheers!

[@lindataylor6831]

Great video ! Why do people come on these videos and dislike them ? Why not just go to another video if you don't like Alan Watts and his philosophy. Too many people "offended" by everything.

[@timetowakeup6302]

Alan Watts will live again. And I hope to be there when he wakes.

[@KaiTendo174]

This video is CRAZY. Such complex questions... Such a complex subject... I LOVE it. :)

[@pouluathuigonmei6686]

Thanks for sharing with us on the KZbin. Great work! Appreciate a lot!

[@Dragon33304]

Thank you very much and thanks for not adding a music track. Alan was one of the greatest minds of our time and he left us much too soon. Peace to all.

[@solarnaut]

Luv'in this guy! I am a bit embarrassed to say I've either "just discovered" or am now "re-discovering...for the first time" the beautiful reflections of Alan Watts here on youtube... thanks for this... and Oh my gosh... this clip closes with "that lady" (with that very NPR sounding voice... who, among other things, did a great audio book where she interviews 30+ "guru" types and has them describe their awakening... the common theme of which, seemed to me, to be, a kind of "collapse" at the end of a long and very fatiguing path of "seeking" which finally "cracked them open" to the eternity of the present, etc. blah blah blah. As Sam Harris puts it in his "waking up, spirituality without religion"... he went to the guru in east to learn self-enlightenment and was quickly shown that there is no self to enlighten .

[@buddhahoo1]

He was a beautiful enlightened teacher. He was simply pointing....

[@richardprivara7503]

Love alan watts!

[@Hafazeh]

never gets old.

[@UjioSatashi]

ahhh! can you hear it? can you feel it? it is GREATNESS flowing towards me! in me! through me and outwards!

[@frizbeee]

@mukDumpling YES !!! Thanks for a soundtrack free Alan video. MUCH appreciated.

[@voidemptiness]

I agree to you that the more we talk about controlling our thoughts and emotions, the more we get entangled to it which is the total opposite of Zen. Zen practically just eradicates all these emotions and thoughts to the garbage can BUT before you can do that you should have already the right amount of realization that all these things are immaterial otherwise you will not be able to detach yourself from these thoughts and emotions. The bottom line is it's STILL you and only you who can do it.

[@zachboi13]

I'm scared I don't know what to believe

[@allrelated1]

he is a positive existentialist, you create your own meaning in life...all other theories about humans fall short...we are dimensional beings not behavioral machines...he also knows zen

[@Jpkingu2]

I love how much less boring than Eckhart Tolle he is.

[@Fuliginosus]

Watt's derives some of his authority from his laughter, which shows his self-confidence.

[@superthingguy]

not to attain but to celebrate what you have!!! thanks alan watts

[@nwsanagnwsths]

He was in nice mood!! Its important to me to notice how human attention finds interesting and attractive the way, the mood who has sb when talks... Like here I did...!

[@Libertarianmobius1]

I was in caos in my life until I found about zen. But my attraction to it wasn't that direct, from little I extremely amaze by the japanese culture and its exports in technology, media, engineering,art,etc,,, I develop a strong bond to the japanese culture, and later on in my life I found out about zen.Then you realize slowly, that favoritism for something is useless but one can cherish the magnificent of it by being a observer with a conscience. Thats for me is enlightenment,the simpleness...

[@nickhza]

because over the time of my life and yours, we have built up barriers and multiple interpretations for the same thing, the one, everything. how many words have you learned, songs you've heard, books you've read? after so much data is in the mind, you have to imagine, it's not an easy task to bring it all back together to one whole piece that finally "understands".

[@125varma]

If I was supposed to decide to spend time with Allan or OSHO, I would be in trouble, cyz I like both these dudes, they are both fun and shake the fundamental of your life :D

[@wyattbottorff2473]

The difference is that Bogwan turned on everyone who trusted him. And of course still retains followers, some are sensible critics many are blind followers.

[@shartatnucleusdotcom]

I guess u have to be familiar with most of his lectures like i was in the 70's to understand my question... His teachings were never about choosing when to die, but choosing how you live.. Be who you are, but never lose sight of loving your life less than loving money - working to live versus living to work.. I believe he loved sharing his philosophy's but wished to live more humble and less celebrity... Not unlike he experienced when he lived with Buddha, Dao, etc.. thx Andy for feedback..

[@wagznz]

Now I can fully understand why he was such a great fan of Adi Da Samraj :-) I wish they could have spent more time together. What a whoopee That woulda been! Imagine the dialogue and humour :-)

[@sushilpershad3962]

The Unknown Will Remain The Unknown Seek The Unknown For The Unknown !!

[@verifymyageful]

What you said is basically in coherence with what I said, the only difference is that you say you can achieve it but the very lesson of enlightenment is that you cannot achieve it because you are already there and if enlightenment is said to be the state of mind where you actually realize that.. then I agree because the practice is simply a lead-in to failure.. the problem is that many practices catch a hold of you and become religion.

[@clairobics]

No it's not see in a 'problematic' way - more a recognition of the journey and how much more there is still to discover.

[@Libertarianmobius1]

Your comments about Alan Watts being a spiritual entertainer are shocking but I do laugh to the same concept in humility. He is just spreading knowledge and wisdom to all of us, its up to us to decide to accept it or let it pass. To bring a certain order or only way to achieve enlightment is by it self destroying its significance, enlightment its a universal practice.teaching it while entertaining or not,,,,jeje

[@hummingbirdSage]

@quimby85: Sorry, I forgot where I took this photo. I was traveling around these areas in India: Chennai, Tirruvanamali, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bundhi, Pushkar, Pondicherry, Aurovile. So if Jhansi is around any of those, then it may be so.

[@Gurkz110]

no it just your perspective and knowledge has broadened on particular things

[@ManchmalGaming]

Humans seek, that's what they do! ❤

[@verifymyageful]

I agree.. I think the beautiful part about religion is breakout out of it. Many people don't though. Also about Japanese culture.. I too share an intense love for it.. almost all eastern culture actually. I want to go to china and japan soon and experience the way they live.. the art is really what gets me.. and even the language. I also love anime so that may have been something that got me into it.

[@sloshedmonks]

It comes from the truth derived from someone else's truth. It's the experience of us all and the individual, happening simultaneously. You need to rethink what you consider to be a valid metaphor.

[@nyguss]

from the sufi path : "The thing we tell of can never be found seeking, yet only seekers find it" Abu Yazid al-Bistami

[@drugstorerecords]

"Choose thou thy work, for all souls must labour, never be free from the pathway of Light. One step thou has gained on the long pathway upward, infinite now is the mountain of Light. Each step thou taketh but heightens the mountain; all of thy progress but lengthens the goal. Approach ye ever the infinite Wisdom, ever before thee recedes the goal." - Thoth. "A fool considers himself a wise man; while a wise man considers himself a fool." You feel that way because it's true! Enjoy the ride :)

[@wgo523]

both are great man.

[@bendon3928]

I wonder if has taken acting lessons. Appart from what he says, the way he says it is so unique and so delightful

[@BobbyFireRadio]

All I do is live in the present with applied thinking , and then I realise I’m just thinking 😂

[@peterbentsen4890]

I believe that is what everybody does..but thank you for the reminder.

[@Optimistichumanist]

In most of his videos there is a background noise that sounds like pencil on paper. Almost as if someone in the room was drawing continuous circles near a microphone. Do you hear it? My best guess is a mic on his shirt that’s continuously rubbing on his shirt.

[@KeyserSoseRulz]

There are 4 states men will never fully understand: A. The inside of a black hole. B. Past the edge of the universe. C. The pre big bang state. D. The after death.... and maybe one more: Consciousness...

[@cranand73]

I feel only business can be a serious thing to do, living is joy, it can never be serious. If it is serious, then unknowingly, we are doing some business in the name of living.... that is what it means

[@mb19842002]

Meditation is for mental health like a toothbrush is for dental health.

[@TaylorTauaWisdomFaithAction]

Thank you hummingbirdsage

[@1965zoso]

Love this dude

[@verifymyageful]

He calls himself a spiritual entertainer.. and enlightenment is not a universal practice but a human desire. Alan Watts tries to show that it is our dissatisfaction with every day life and ourselves that leads us to desire enlightenment but the thing that wants enlightenment is the very thing that needs to change.

[@ericswain4177]

Its interesting he was an alleged alcoholic and died of an alleged heart condition at 58 years of age. I grew up just 7 miles from his home in Druid Heights California in the 60s an 70s.

[@MoJo01]

good point indeed. Sometime I feel as I'm defile my self when i criticize or 'analyze' what's in front of me. Must learn how to see objectively rather than subjectively.

[@mukDumpling]

one of the better video's without a music track

[@shartatnucleusdotcom]

He passed in his sleep at 58 years old following an exhausting world tour lecture in the 70's.., did he achieve what he teaches us or was he our messenger that allowed only us to learn from his teachings - but not for himself..? Any thoughts..

[@staceysworldrocks9615]

How do you know it was “exhausting”?

[@WVMeadows]

Ohhh shiva... what have you gotten yourself into this time.

[@stevekensok5198]

shiva seems like your a dumb shit, doing this this crap to yourself over and over , heaven is a place where nothing ever happens

[@peterbentsen4890]

Yes I have the book and have read it...we see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear..

[@BoluzB2]

It's more of an essence then a problem.. but then again it's all a matter of perception

[@verifymyageful]

Read The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are and Become What You Are.. for depth.. search and read truth contest for introduction.. my point was Alan Watts dives much further into the topic.. although there is lots of information in one place on the article called "The Present" it is not nearly as expansive.. its like an introductory but if you are still interested in the topic.. there is plenty of "spiritual entertainment" by Alan Watts

[@Libertarianmobius1]

So you what you said is that any beliefs, practices or rituals that lead it to become a religion is misleading. Im an atheist now but I was raise as a catholic so my entire life has been marked by knowing prayes, treating one self as a sinner, not to ask many questions, etc,,, This created in me a monster of curiosity burning inside my thoughts and a deep hatred for the ignorance that religion causes. But I too saw the beauty of religion, the good deeds, the wonderful spirits in people.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.

[@utubevidproducer]

Hence, "All I know is I know nothing" :)

[@farrider3339]

Trent Thomp : there is no " I " that can know. That's why " you " do not know . 🌬️🕉️🎆

[@progressiveGal73]

there's got to be showdown. the double bind is the hallmark of Truth. not for the dichotomous believer. but there is hope yet~

[@verifymyageful]

I used to get depressed at his works too but after a while its liberating.. just can be misunderstood

[@satory007]

The ego's vile, vicious, innocuous, and diabolical approach to things is the reason people can't get along and why they fight each other to the death. God really won't show up much in one's life until the ego is resolved to some extent. Surrendering daily to God.Being humble unto the Lord. Loving oneself. Being kind, caring, considerate, and compassionate to everyone in every case is the way to transform ones life and wake up to this new way of life. Log on to Robert Smalley org page for more.

[@milesbennettdyson3648]

satory007 Lol, nice game.

[@SHYnd0wn]

Think the catch 22 of it all is that we have to 'think we know' so to `unknow so to allow ourselves finally to see only what is.

[@probablechoices]

When he laughs, I smile :-)

[@utubevidproducer]

If anyone is wanting an in-depth understanding of cognition and how it conceptualizes projections of the Self, check out The Book Of Not Knowing.

[@Dharmaarmer]

observing pure observation

[@iamdk007]

Actually that's the same problem. That says that nothing is better then something and so you once again are fighting with yourself. Nothing is something to consider, lets leave it at that. Its all just word play anyway, a game of conceptions. You can't eat the thought of food nor can you feel its love thus thoughts cannot nourish the body or the spirit, only the mind. More word play... We can't escape it, this is why actions speak louder then words.

[@shannonmoore7309]

Yes, but truth contest entry has it right in that the only way to truly see pure life is by emptying your mind. There IS a 'collective unconscious' mind and the only way to receive life altering revelations daily is by surrendering your thoughts to those of the greater.

[@libertylives2]

@hummingbirdSage hahahahaha I'm one of those but still can appreciate all this. Now I have no idea what was said previously but I have a good idea. none-the-less back to the topic .. This was of thinking (in the video) reminds me of the same dynamics in a person trying to find a life partner.. They seek and seek and mourn etc but its when they let go and begin to love life, it just happens. Not enough room to talk here but u get the idea I hope. if not no matter. peace!

[@theindividual]

If the Buddha could put his thoughts into my head, or yours, we would become him and achieve the same Buddhahood in an instant. What's taking so long? There must be something wrong with the process we are using to get his thoughts from his head into my head. Maybe language isn't the best way of doing this? What do you think?

[@Honeysucklebommie]

The fact one chooses to argue over a meaning, means they haven't let go of the banks yet to flow in the river of simply being.I like the reverse perspective to mine, but not enough to stop and stake a flag into the opposite bank.

[@Dharmaarmer]

Fleeting glimse's so you know it's there, then practice practice practice Same way to Carnagie Hall so they say Love Peace Prosperity

[@shartatnucleusdotcom]

..but his message is in the simplicity of his words.. or shaped by the complexity of our filters, in trying to frame the words to fit our ideals..?

[@cranand73]

Thanks :-) nice to connect with an unknown colleague

[@TheFunnyhouston]

Does anyone else hear that breathing?

[@VintageFlowers]

There's always an overweight guy breathing like a pig in every Alan Watts recording. It's the price you have to pay for infinite wisdom.

[@camez2345]

TheFunnyhouston I had to stop listening at about the 7-minute mark because it started to freak me out.

[@Stereostupid]

Sounds like he jerking off under blanket

[@piuli95]

Its the cloth stroking against his microphone on his shirt

[@stevekensok5198]

its your breath

[@Aviewerbychance]

is fullness!

[@feztizieo]

@janenjanes it is boring isnt it? people generally come to these cause we are poor dears trying to make a satisfying consenses of our lives. but we're all better off listening to music. still this man is lovely.

[@shartatnucleusdotcom]

therefore.. 'Hope and Tragedy' a paradox that both sides of the spectrum must be experienced - in order for the opposite to be acknowledged by ones-self...

[@BobbyFireRadio]

Isn’t life beautiful ❤️

[@TheGravygun]

Oh my im quite eager to smoke the green leaf on this wonderful eve..well?

[@phvalue323]

This world is beautiful and I want to see it flourish. The evolution of governments into a single organism of societal will against corporations is the only foreseeable conclusion. Come with me and change the world for the better. ***GOOGLE THE WORLD CITIZEN CONSTITUTION***

[@Gurkz110]

your thought should be your own, but you must teach yourself how.

[@bootr0s]

@janenjanes perhaps the ones without information would be more to your taste?