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Alan Watts: On Being God – Being in the Way Podcast Ep. 6 – Hosted by Mark Watts

Be Here Now Network・51 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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Summary

00:00

"Being God: Alan Watts on Western Therapy"

  • The talk "Being God" was recorded in 1971 in New York City at a conference on Western therapy and Eastern religions.
  • Alan Watts explores the relationship between Western therapy, Western religions, and mystical experiences in Eastern religions.
  • Western therapy and religions are not equipped to handle individuals who have had mystical experiences.
  • Watts invites the audience to participate in a clinical experiment where he portrays a patient who believes himself to be God.
  • Western religions focus on behavior, doctrine, and belief, while Western therapy and psychology are interested in altering states of consciousness.
  • Official psychiatry is seen as the guardian of sanity and socially approved reality, based on 19th-century scientific naturalism.
  • Freud viewed the libido as blind, unconscious energy, reflecting the scientific naturalism of the time.
  • Western psychology has more in common with Oriental religion than with Western religion.
  • Psychiatry and psychotherapy are becoming the religion of the West, with similarities to institutional religion in rituals and authority structures.
  • Official psychiatry exercises control over human life, akin to the power held by the church in the Middle Ages, leading to dangerous consequences for individuals with unorthodox states of consciousness.

24:02

"Jesus: Cosmic Consciousness and Divine Identity"

  • Jesus Christ believed himself to be God, as stated in the Gospel of Saint John.
  • Jesus expressed his state of consciousness using language from Hebrew scriptures.
  • Jesus had Cosmic Consciousness, a mystical experience known by various names.
  • People often experience Cosmic Consciousness but rarely speak about it.
  • Jesus was crucified for committing an act of insubordination and treason against the cosmic government.
  • To speak with authority today requires documentation and references.
  • Jesus' message in the Gospel was to wake up and discover one's true identity.
  • Jesus was accused of blasphemy for claiming to be one with God.
  • Understanding oneself as God means feeling deeply connected to the universe.
  • Taking responsibility for one's life and actions is crucial in realizing one's true nature.

45:45

"Desires, Technology, and Boredom: A Fantasy"

  • The speaker delves into human desires and technology, leading to a fantasy of a place with buttons for every wish.
  • They describe spending time in this place, enjoying various pleasures like symphonic music in different sound channels.
  • Boredom is highlighted as a challenge, seen as the flip side of creativity, with the need for surprises to combat it.
  • Responsibility for the world's state is discussed, emphasizing personal accountability and the cyclical nature of improvement and decline.
  • The concept of Yin and Yang is introduced, with boredom representing the Yin side of creation's energy.
  • A discussion on spiritual problems, like koans in Zen Buddhism, and the purpose of commandments to reveal insights rather than strict obedience.
  • The idea of the Hereafter is explored, suggesting that Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory are always present in the current moment.
  • The speaker touches on the necessity of material possessions and ethical dilemmas, emphasizing the complexity of decision-making.
  • The concept of time is discussed, highlighting the perpetual "now" and the idea of consciously experiencing life as God.
  • Ways to combat boredom are suggested, such as turning activities into a dance or approaching monotonous tasks with a light-hearted attitude.

01:06:59

"Being God: Responsibility, Order, and Nothingness"

  • Knowing one is God involves taking responsibility for it, addressing questions about inaction and boredom.
  • Exploring the concept of order and randomness, essential for understanding the nature of God.
  • The danger of assuming oneself as God and the consequences of interfering with the universe.
  • The importance of being aware of oneself and the dangers of misinterpreting the concept of the witness self.
  • The significance of nothingness in creating something, challenging Western common sense.
  • Space being essential to matter, emphasizing the power of nothing in creating something.
  • Alan Watts' lecture on being God in 1971 in New York City, part of the Philosophy and Society series.
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