What’s stopping your happiness? - Alan Watts

AwakenYourMind・2 minutes read

Humans are interconnected with the universe, emphasizing patterns and connections in life. Materialism and mysticism need to be balanced for a fulfilling life, enjoying material possessions without attachment.

Insights

  • Humans are intricately interconnected with the universe, with examples like hills lifting people illustrating this deep relationship and emphasizing the hidden connections between different domains.
  • Balancing materialism and mysticism is crucial for a fulfilling life, allowing for a deeper enjoyment of the material world by seeing it as an illusion while maintaining a mindset of disbelief in the significance of possessions for true enjoyment without attachment.

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Recent questions

  • What is the philosophy of Illusion about?

    The philosophy of Illusion delves into the choice between viewing life seriously or not, questioning if life is ultimately tragic or comic. It also explores the concept of self, pondering whether individuals are insignificant parts of the universe or actually the same as the whole cosmos.

  • How are humans connected to the universe?

    Humans are intricately interconnected with the universe, with examples like hills lifting people as they run up them. The movement of a thistle down in the wind is compared to the concept of mind being the driving force behind actions, illustrating the deep connection between humans and the cosmos.

  • What is the relationship between mind and space?

    The relationship between mind and space is explored, referencing historical perspectives that equate the mind to space. The discussion highlights how individual thoughts and actions are connected to a larger network of societal and universal influences, emphasizing the order of words in literature as an example.

  • How does the philosophy address materialism and mysticism?

    The philosophy emphasizes the need to balance materialism and mysticism for a fulfilling life, avoiding extremes of pure sensuality or spirituality. Seeing the material world as an illusion allows for a deeper enjoyment of it, rather than fearing or rejecting it, promoting a mindset of disbelief in the significance of material possessions for true enjoyment.

  • What is the misconception of the collective as the totality?

    The misconception of the collective as the totality is discussed as a fundamental error in understanding relationships. The philosophy highlights the interplay between individual life and the total order of existence, including references to astrology and the soul's connection to the universe, emphasizing the importance of recognizing deep connections and awareness of one's relationship to the cosmos.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Philosophy of Illusion: Life's Tragic Comedy"

  • Discussion on the philosophy of Illusion, focusing on the choice between taking life seriously or not, determining if life is ultimately tragic or comic.
  • Questioning the concept of self, whether one is just an insignificant part of the universe or actually the same as the whole cosmos.
  • Exploring the idea of human beings as strangers and pilgrims from another domain, highlighting the hidden connection between different domains.
  • Describing the universe as a radial organization rather than a collection of random elements, emphasizing patterns and connections.
  • Illustrating how humans are interconnected with the universe, using examples like hills lifting people as they run up them.
  • Comparing the movement of a thistle down in the wind to the concept of mind being the moving force behind actions.
  • Discussing the deceptive nature of human boundaries, suggesting that the skin is not the true limit of a person.
  • Exploring the relationship between mind and space, referencing historical perspectives that equate the mind to space.
  • Connecting individual thoughts and actions to a larger network of societal and universal influences, using the example of the order of words in literature.
  • Highlighting the interplay between individual life and the total order of existence, including references to astrology and the soul's connection to the universe.

20:19

Interconnectedness and balance in philosophical perspectives

  • Shape and color are intricately connected, with Buddhists emphasizing the relationship between difference and identity.
  • The Chinese concept of Mutual Arising highlights the interdependence of opposites like high and low, long and short.
  • The illusion of separateness leads to ecological blindness, causing humans to disrupt natural balances.
  • Western culture values individuality, often fearing the idea of interconnectedness as communistic.
  • The misconception of the collective as the totality is a fundamental error in understanding relationships.
  • A complex and interesting personality stems from deep connections and awareness of one's relationship to the cosmos.
  • Responsibility is not guaranteed by any philosophy, but arises from certain backgrounds, interests, and awareness of relationships.
  • Materialism and mysticism need to be balanced for a fulfilling life, avoiding extremes of pure sensuality or spirituality.
  • Seeing the material world as an illusion allows for a deeper enjoyment of it, rather than fearing or rejecting it.
  • Enjoying material possessions requires a mindset of disbelief in their significance, allowing for true enjoyment without attachment.

42:26

"Fluidity of Existence: From Land to Sky"

  • Solidity in the material world is an illusion, explained by physics as the rapid movement of particles creating impenetrable force, akin to an airplane propeller moving too fast to pass through.
  • Matter arises from energy in restricted spaces, with density being a quality of space rather than matter, illustrated by the comparison to an airplane propeller's movement.
  • The physical world is described as an electronic diaphanous world, similar to patterns on a TV screen or the Aurora Borealis, with humans and all existence being a dance of forms of the same kind.
  • Dolphins, intelligent creatures living in a less dense medium, returned to the water from land due to the ease of fishing and abundance of food, showcasing a different way of existence.
  • As civilization progresses, humans may lose ties to the land and roads may become obsolete as flying becomes more prevalent, leading to a shift in values from permanence to fluidity, with a focus on the stars for navigation and a connection to the sea for architectural inspiration.
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