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Alan Watts: Man and Nature – Being in the Way Podcast Ep. 8 – Hosted by Mark Watts

Be Here Now Network・36 minutes read

The podcast features workshops on Taoism, ecology, and human-nature relationships, given by Alan Watts, emphasizing the spontaneous nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all things, contrasting Western and Eastern views on nature and governance. Woven throughout the podcast are discussions on the importance of trust in nature, the dangers of distrust, and the value of purposelessness and scholarly pursuits beyond administrative tasks in modern universities.

Insights

  • Alan Watts emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans with the universe, likening individuals to waves in the ocean, highlighting the disparity between human perception of existence and ecological descriptions.
  • Chinese philosophy, particularly Taoism, presents nature as spontaneous and nurturing, advocating for trust in its democratic, unobtrusive order, contrasting with Western views influenced by Judeo-Christian beliefs that often lead to distrust and control over nature.

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Recent questions

  • What is the focus of the podcast workshops?

    Taoism, ecology, and human-nature relationship.

  • Who is the new sponsor of the podcast?

    Eaton Hemp, a New York-based farm.

  • How does Alan Watts describe human existence?

    Humans are part of the whole universe.

  • What are the different views of nature discussed?

    Western, Indian, and Chinese perspectives.

  • How does Chinese philosophy view nature?

    As democratic and nurturing.

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Summary

00:00

"Alan Watts Podcast: Nature, Tao, and Ecology"

  • The podcast features workshops recorded at the Esslin Institute on the Big Sur Coast, starting with Taoism sessions from the late 60s and early 70s.
  • It transitions to public lectures given by Alan Watts in front of large audiences at major universities.
  • The podcast now includes more intimate seminar sessions, starting with a two-day seminar at SMU in 1965.
  • The seminar covers topics like "A Case of Mistaken Identity" and "Man in Nature," focusing on ecology and our relationship with the natural world.
  • A new sponsor, Eaton Hemp, a New York-based farm producing CBD products, is introduced to support the podcast.
  • The podcast is part of the Ramdas Be Here Now Podcast Network, with theme music by Zakir Hussein.
  • Alan Watts discusses the disparity between how humans perceive their existence and how ecologists describe human behavior.
  • He emphasizes that humans are not isolated centers but part of the whole universe, akin to a wave in the ocean.
  • Watts delves into different theories of nature, including the Western view of nature as a machine, the Indian view of nature as drama, and the Chinese view of nature as spontaneous or self-moving.
  • The Chinese concept of nature, known as Dao or Tao, highlights the idea of things happening "of itself" or spontaneously, like grass growing in spring without human intervention.

22:39

"Chinese Philosophy: Nature, Harmony, and Virtue"

  • The Dao cannot be fully described or spoken, as it is the principle of spontaneity.
  • The Tao flows everywhere, nurturing all things without dominating them.
  • Chinese philosophy views nature as democratic, without a controlling force.
  • Westerners, influenced by Judeo-Christian beliefs, often distrust nature and human nature.
  • Confucius emphasized "Young," meaning human-heartedness, as the highest virtue.
  • Wars fought for moral principles are deemed more ruthless than those driven by greed.
  • Chinese justice values compromise and mutual understanding over strict adherence to written laws.
  • The concept of Lee in Chinese philosophy represents an organic pattern or natural order.
  • Nature's order is evident in asymmetrical yet orderly patterns like clouds, foam, and human beings.
  • The Taoist approach to governance advocates for an unobtrusive, helpful leader akin to cooking a small fish gently.

45:16

Nature, Trust, Surveillance, Records, Universities, Scholars, Purposelessness

  • Nature is depicted as something to trust, encompassing both external elements like birds, bees, and mountains, and internal aspects like Human Nature.
  • Trust in nature is not absolute, as it can disappoint, but taking that risk is part of life.
  • Distrust in nature can lead to totalitarian states like in "1984," where constant surveillance and mistrust prevail.
  • The importance of record-keeping is highlighted, with emphasis on maintaining accurate records over actual actions or events.
  • Universities prioritize administrative tasks over teaching and research, hindering faculty members from scholarly pursuits.
  • The original meaning of a scholar was someone who could study without the pressure of earning a living, contrasting with today's focus on expedited courses and earning credentials for employment.
  • Emphasizes the value of purposelessness, as seen in nature and the Japanese concept of "you again," where aimless wandering and enjoying the present moment are celebrated.
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