Alan Watts: On Being God – Being in the Way Podcast Ep. 6 – Hosted by Mark Watts
Be Here Now Network・2 minutes read
Alan Watts explores the link between Western therapy, Western religions, and Eastern mystical experiences, showcasing the implications of individuals who believe themselves to be God. He discusses the concept of Cosmic Consciousness, Jesus Christ's message in the Bible, human desires, boredom as a challenge, responsibility, and the complexities of being aware of oneself.
Insights
- Western therapy and religions are ill-equipped to handle individuals who have had mystical experiences, as highlighted by Alan Watts in his talk "Being God." This sheds light on the limitations of traditional approaches in addressing profound spiritual encounters, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced understanding of human consciousness and belief systems.
- Jesus Christ's self-perception as God, as discussed by Watts, challenges conventional religious and psychological frameworks, urging individuals to explore the profound connection between personal identity and universal consciousness. This perspective prompts a deeper reflection on the nature of existence, responsibility, and the complexities of human spirituality.
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Recent questions
What is the relationship between Western therapy and Eastern religions?
Western therapy and religions are not equipped to handle individuals who have had mystical experiences. Alan Watts explores the connection between Western therapy, Western religions, and mystical experiences in Eastern religions. While Western therapy and religions focus on behavior, doctrine, and belief, they are not adept at addressing altered states of consciousness that individuals may experience. Watts invites the audience to participate in a clinical experiment where he portrays a patient who believes himself to be God, highlighting the differences in approaches between Western therapy and Eastern mystical experiences.
How did Jesus view himself according to the Gospel of Saint John?
Jesus Christ believed himself to be God, as stated in the Gospel of Saint John. The speaker delves into Jesus' state of consciousness, expressing it through language from Hebrew scriptures. Jesus is described as having Cosmic Consciousness, a mystical experience that is rarely spoken about. By understanding Jesus' self-perception as God, one can grasp the deep connection he felt with the universe and his message to awaken and discover one's true identity.
What is the significance of boredom in relation to creativity?
Boredom is highlighted as a challenge, seen as the flip side of creativity. The speaker discusses the need for surprises to combat boredom and emphasizes the cyclical nature of improvement and decline. By delving into the concept of Yin and Yang, boredom is portrayed as the Yin side of creation's energy. The discussion on boredom and creativity sheds light on the importance of embracing surprises and challenges to foster innovation and personal growth.
How does Western psychology differ from Western religion?
Western psychology has more similarities with Oriental religion than with Western religion. The talk explores how Western psychology and therapy focus on altering states of consciousness, while Western religions emphasize behavior, doctrine, and belief. Official psychiatry is viewed as the guardian of sanity and socially approved reality, exercising control over human life similar to the power held by the church in the Middle Ages. Understanding the distinctions between Western psychology and religion provides insights into the evolving nature of belief systems and approaches to mental health.
What is the speaker's perspective on the concept of God and self-awareness?
The speaker delves into the concept of being God and the importance of taking responsibility for one's life and actions. They discuss the dangers of assuming oneself as God and the consequences of interfering with the universe. By exploring the significance of self-awareness and the challenges of misinterpreting the concept of the witness self, the speaker emphasizes the need to understand the balance between nothingness and creation. The discussion on God and self-awareness sheds light on the complexities of personal accountability and the power of conscious decision-making in shaping one's reality.
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