February 21, 2020

Watts Up? Awe Of Existence

An awe-inspiring sunrise over the backyard woods.


The main problem, as the author of "The Way of Zen" (1957) Alan Watts saw it, is that humanity has developed a near total lack of respect for all of existence, mostly because we erroneously see ourselves as separate from it.

"In this culture that we call materialistic today, we are, of course, bent on the total destruction of material and it's conversion into junk and poisonous gas as quickly as possible."


The winter woods dressed in a zen-like black and white simplification.


He also stated what he saw were some simple solutions.

“Be in awe of existence, for when you feel this awe, you respect that existence.”


At the brook I ponder that I am mostly water, flowing through the valley of life.

“Marvel at the feel of a pebble in your hand.” 


I am not part of this - I AM this, and it is me.


“Remember that the meaning of life is just to be alive. It is that plain and simple.” 


There is no defined line that illustrates where this all ends, and I start.


Thank you to friend of NBA, Mary, for sharing the Alan Watts quotes I used in this post in a comment on our last post. 

I share them here so a larger audience that might not read our comment section, may enjoy them (although if you don't read comments, you might consider starting - they are great!).

We are one. 

It is one. 

All one. 

So simple. 

I am in awe of that.




2 comments:

  1. Anonymous2/21/2020

    Oh Gregg...thank you so much! My discovery of Alan Watts is just a few months old, but his lectures and writings have changed me. Calmed me in these disruptive times; reminded me of the impermanence of everything so I should enjoy it now with respect and love. I actually find Watts a little hard to read, but Youtube is full of his lectures - in full or snippets of them. Such an easy way to be reminded of the beauty and oneness of life.
    With deep respect and thanks for the work you and Linda do on this blog (that we all enjoy so much)...Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those reminders are nice to keep us on track. In all the hysteria it is easy to lose one's focus. Thank you for being here, and adding to our blog.

      Delete

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