Alan Watts - The Game The Universe Plays
AwakenYourMind・52 minutes read
The universe is perceived as a game with different views on suffering; a blend of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs reveals interconnectedness and cosmic play. Human behavior, liberation through detachment, and self-awareness lead to deep reflections on existence, spirituality, and the need to embrace life's natural flow.
Insights
- Suffering in the universe can be viewed as either chaotic evidence or a transformative process akin to an oyster creating a pearl, showcasing contrasting perspectives on the nature of existence.
- Self-consciousness, while enabling awakening and detachment, can also lead to anxiety and a loss of genuineness, contrasting with the carefree existence of non-self-conscious beings, highlighting the complexities of human consciousness and spirituality.
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Recent questions
What is the significance of suffering in the universe?
Suffering is viewed as transformative, not chaotic.
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Summary
00:00
"The Universe: Game of Suffering and Liberation"
- The universe is viewed as a game or play, but this concept is often misunderstood as trivial due to the presence of suffering.
- Two perspectives emerge: one sees suffering as evidence of a chaotic universe, while the other views suffering as a transformative process akin to an oyster creating a pearl.
- In a worldview blending Buddhist and Hindu beliefs, the Creator and all beings are interconnected manifestations of a central Self, engaging in a cosmic play.
- Different forms of life, including humans, animals, and plants, are likened to various dances or games, reflecting diverse religious attitudes and practices.
- A ceremonial event during Holy Week in New York, called Tenebrae, involves the gradual extinguishing of candles symbolizing Christ's disciples deserting him, leading to deep reflection on repentance and fundamental religious attitudes.
- Three fundamental attitudes in all religions are identified: repentance, rebellion, resignation, and reincarnation, each representing different approaches to life and spirituality.
- Human behavior, victories, defeats, and conflicts are seen as integral parts of the game of life, akin to natural phenomena like patterns in nature, emphasizing the importance of embracing both good and evil.
- Liberation involves cultivating detachment and self-consciousness to view human life objectively, realizing the self as an eternal reality beyond the ego, leading to a deeper understanding of existence.
- Self-consciousness, while enabling awakening, can also lead to anxiety and overthinking, contrasting with the spontaneous behavior of non-self-conscious beings.
- Many religious teachings advocate surrender and trust in a higher power, emphasizing the need to let go of anxiety and embrace the natural flow of life, akin to the carefree existence of flowers and grass.
24:19
"Self-consciousness and spirituality in human nature"
- The Bible's teachings are often seen as impractical by many, who believe that planning for old age, having savings, insurance, and a job are essential.
- Humans reflect on themselves and their actions, feeling that something is wrong, leading to self-awareness and self-consciousness development.
- Concerns arise about the rise of computer intelligence surpassing human intelligence, leading to worries about machines taking over.
- Electronic circuits and new forms of life have emerged from human-made machinery, connected to humans and not separate entities.
- The development of self-consciousness through the cortex is seen as a new form of nature, leading to feelings of alienation and self-reproach.
- Self-consciousness is compared to resonance, where being aware of happiness can sometimes lead to anxiety and spoil the experience.
- Self-consciousness can lead to a feeling of not trusting instincts and taking on the role of God, resulting in a loss of genuineness.
- Repentance and feelings of being rotten or corrupt are common, with some viewing life as a mistake and seeking a purely spiritual state.
- The ambivalence towards evil being spiritual but treated as physical reflects a conflict between the body and spirit.
- The penitential mood involves chronic frustration, with some interpreting the way of the Cross as a life of suffering and pain to build character.
46:36
Life's Hide and Seek: Taboos and Games
- The text discusses the concept of "Hide and Seek" as a metaphor for life, where darkness represents hiding and light represents seeking.
- It delves into the idea of taboo, suggesting that incest might be the fundamental taboo due to its proximity to one's origins.
- The text explores the notion of being a "phony," equating it to wearing a mask or persona, which leads to the realization that one is merely playing a role.
- Four fundamental attitudes towards the human predicament in various religions are outlined: repentance, rebellion, resignation, and reincarnation.
- Repentance is described as feeling fundamentally wrong about being a self-conscious individual, leading to the realization of being a total phony.
- The text highlights the trap of the statement "I am a sinner," likening it to a logical paradox that reflects the sinful nature of the statement itself.
- Resignation is presented as an aristocratic posture where one quits the game of life, refusing to engage in worldly pursuits.
- The role of the "sasin" in Indian culture is discussed, where individuals resign from the worldly game at a certain age, transitioning from a householder to a forest dweller.
- Resignation is contrasted with repentance, emphasizing that the renounced person is not concerned with moral progress or material success.
- The text delves into the idea of meta-games, where individuals play games to assert superiority or sincerity, ultimately leading to the realization that there is no way of not playing games in life.
01:12:03
Struggle for Superiority: Contests and Monks
- The term "agonia" originates from the contest held in the "agon," leading to the word "agony," symbolizing the constant struggle for superiority among men.
- Many individuals, including friends, find happiness in engaging in contests or competitions to prove their superiority.
- The Buddhist monks, residing in countries like Burma, Thailand, and Japan, renounce worldly possessions but have become prosperous and influential as a community.
- The Zen, Tendai, and Shinu sects of Buddhist monks in Japan live a simple yet luxurious life, with rooms adorned in Gold Leaf and breathtaking landscapes.
- Zen monks lead a tough but healthy life, focusing on enjoying poverty and simplicity, which is highly valued in Far Eastern culture.
- The Buddhist monks in Kyoto outcompeted the brigands for the best land through a game of courage and resignation, leading to the monks acquiring the luxurious palaces.
- The life of a hermit, as idealized in Far Eastern literature, emphasizes solitude, leading to heightened sensitivity and awareness of the surrounding environment.
- The concept of playing the game of "me first" versus "you first" is explored, with the realization that true resignation comes from understanding that you and the game are one.
- The Bodhisattva, in contrast to the Arhat, embraces the cycle of reincarnation, acknowledging that attempting to escape the game is futile, as playing the game is inherent to existence.
