Alan Watts: The Nature of Conciousness (Part 1 of 6)

[tatsumakisempyukaku]

Interesting. I think though watts is mistaken about one thing. This ceramic view that he states us based off God making Adam from pre-existing material, namely "dust of the earth". However, the universe was not made in this way. There was no pre-existing material from which God could use to fashion the universe. Instead, the universe comes from God himself

[truthseeker010101]

If we are God then of course we would choice to be the creator God who lives outside of this universe, why would we choice to not be conscience?

And if there is no designer, creator, "carpenter" or "potter" outside of the universe's that form eternally then what started the first Universe?

If I am God and I choice to put shards of my soul , or smaller pieces of myself then I would give them a choice to unite again and be part of the whole or to live eternally, or reincarnate. That;s just me

[tonytg909]

Alan Watts, Terence Mckenna and Jiddu Kristnamurti got there, i'm still trying....

[lonelydinosaur]

awesome.. how was i made.. where did i come from.. how did i grow.. different world views..

[avedic]

his voice is amazing. like a 19th century british explorer or something

[SuzLa1]

Genesis is based on the Sumerian stories of aliens creating humans with their DNA and controling humans so humans think of them as god. Jesus taught real spirituality so the two books shouldn't have been joined.

[5104560711]

@SuzLa1 lol

[wholelover]

I would rather use "perception" than "myth", but maybe I missed the boat.

[EvolvingTruthSeeker]

@wholelover The myth is what is deluding our perception. Not the other way round.

[nilbud]

@MrGiant781 Your scrotum?

[1simonmatthews]

Very interesting. This is the first time that I've listened to Alan Watts. Will certainly look for more of his stuff :)

[integralsun]

Thank you for uploading without a musical soundtrack.

Alan Watts needs no such adornments.

All other AW contributors: Practice KISS (keep it simple, silly).

[captquest1]

Used to read a lot of Watts when I was in High school. It had nothing to do with what they were trying to teach me. Thanks for posting these.

[TheLovesoul1]

mr. watts is awesome (000).

[purplestain24]

"If you have to ask, you'll never know"

[danielmoreen]

@purplestain24 hah, I had to "ask" google what that was from because I remembered it. Rugrats haha!

[Zee96969696]

many people ask, especially when they are young, "what is the meaning of life?" I personally don't understand the question. Probably every living creature subcontiously asks that question, and in the subcontious level I understand what the question is asking, but I can't begin to explain what it is asking and answering it scientifically is very likely going to be possible after many years, maybe many hunderd years of trying

[alphamongrel]

Mommy? how did I disconnect from eternity?

[BlackSunDarkStar]

Watts looks and sounds a little like Huxley.

[maximusTLP]

he does look like mr. smith from the matrix

[kdpflanders1]

@maximusTLP Hell Yes. Excellent Comment. 

[NavinJohnson90]

@MrGiant781

I.

[electronicmedium]

Just like the Golem

[Illyria23alyssa]

I are too dumb fer this.

[christuimbirek]

its alan from two and a half men fucking look at him!!

[drha1ister1]

This is the type of thinking that emerges when you have some but not enough education. Leave it to a secularist to try to explain the ecumenical. Better you should read CS Lewis, who explained these ideas much better.

[mikevern69]

@drha1ister1 maybe, i wouldnt know im still learning.

[laqtor]

@drha1ister1 durp.

[Lotusflowerism]

@drha1ister1

that's your christian opinion.

[Stagsomat]

@drha1ister1 i get your point, that some people are not educated enough to come to logical conclusions. The way you say it makes you seem very arrogant. If you would know anything about knowledge you would know that no one has "enough" education. Human's will never have enough, it's why we think and never stop thinking.

[nilbud]

@drha1ister1 You filthy ignoramus.

[drha1ister1]

This is the type of thinking that emerges when you have some but not enough education. Leave it to a secularist to try to explain the ecumenical.

[espacho]

Life can't exist without contradictions.

[carnivourlocust]

@espacho of course ... balance :)

[warmpoop]

DUDE! Autoplay, please!

[camcrisp]

For those of you who enjoyed listening to this seminar, you should know that it is only a part of the series of lectures by Alan Watts called "Out of Your Mind". In fact, this is only part of one section that is titled "The Nature of Consciousness". I definitely recommend you give it a listen. If you want to DL it, enter this into google: "Alan Watts Out Of Your Mind Series Full Rapidshare Download", go to the first link, scroll down and follow the two links under where it says "Download Links"

[NiceDinosaur]

@camcrisp Thank you for the suggestion!

[yodrewspence]

Wow, you're right. He does look almost identical to Guy Pierce in that picture.

[EyeReckon]

A man went riding into town on his donkey, looking in every nook and cranny of the place, searching high and low, until finally someone asked him, "what on earth are you looking for?" He said, "I can't find my donkey." And so it is with consciousness; we can't see the eye that sees.

[wanagj]

chinese child will ask same like any child in the world, we all one , who made me mum..? who made you ? he dosen't know what is growing coz he's growing, he's in it. only adult who start thinking ask about growing.

[gyniest]

Perhaps you're right. But it'd be best to empirically study such things, anthropologically, to see if you are right, or Watt is.

[f1ghtclub2k3]

this is extaly what lao tzu nietzsche and heraclitus said way before Watts thta life nature and the essence of these things can neevr be described in words or ideas, the only thing that can even come a little bit closer is the use of poetry...which was heideggar's and Nietzsche's idea.

[nilbud]

@f1ghtclub2k3 duh

[monkeyswift]

is this how life works????

[fcknBru]

no it's not. he can use all the fancy words he want's, and all the logic and reason, but to understand and know the meaning and mechanics of life is unknowable. to quote Nas "Beyond the walls of intelligence, life is defined".

there are no answers outside of yourself, even ignore what i'm saying

[Margatroid]

If you listened to more Watts and understood him better, you would know that he entirely agrees with this. :)

He frequently makes the point that words, and therefore thoughts, are simply sounds that point to things, rather than the actual things.

[johnnycrisp22]

Your theory that life is unknowable is a theory in itself.

[StAndAl0neCompl3x]

Nice one, Sherlock.  Hence, the conclusion that life is unknowable.

[johnnycrisp22]

I'm saying that your statement of life being unknowable is still a statement of what is. It's a contradiction to say "I know that life is unknowable".

How do you know that life is unknowable?

[StAndAl0neCompl3x]

You don't. That's why it is.

You're exactly right. Fundamentally, we're both saying exactly the same thing--except that you don't realize it because you think I'm wrong. Try not to think of that statement as an affirmation of what "I know" but rather an acknowledgement of what "I don't know." Language is limited in this regard, which is why it's hard to put it into words--as you are--and understand it. That's why it seems paradoxical.

[johnnycrisp22]

I actually don't necessarily think "you're wrong"... If anything, I am also of the mind that I can't know the true nature of reality since my experience of reality is simply an internal representation created by my mind/senses... But then since I acknowledge that I really don't know, I also wonder if maybe I CAN know but I just don't know that I can know, if that makes sense.

So when I saw your comment I just kinda replied with my first reaction to it. (asking myself in a way)

[johnnycrisp22]

I guess what I'm asking is... In this moment I would absolutely acknowledge that I DON'T understand reality. But how do I know that I CAN'T understand reality?

How do I know that I can't know?

[StAndAl0neCompl3x]

Ah... I see exactly what you're saying...and you know...my answer to that question could only be that you probably will never know whether or not you can or can't understand reality. You don't know if you can't know but you don't know if you can know either....certainly, the only thing you know is that, at this moment, you don't know.... Lol, these are sticky questions we're dealing with ;)

Excellent questions, though, and great insight on your part.

[thunyakijmax]

the general purpose of life is not necessarily unknowable.

but i accept the fact that i currently do not know.

science is the attempt to find out the answer. religion is the attempt to assume an answer.

[Kemics101]

I wouldn't say that science attempts to explain the meaning of life. Because it cannot, people view science today as a rehashing of judeo christian memes in a new form but essentially the same core with a different appearance.

If there is any absolute Truth (with a capital T :) ) to be understood about reality/the meaning of life it must be True in all situations to all people. And so could not be bound by any specific understanding discovered by science. Knowledge is not the same as wisdom.

[fishybishbash]

@Kemics - but can you have wisdom without knowledge? (I can see it might be possible to have knowledge and little or no wisdom)

[flockofseagulls87]

Science is a tool of human beings to ascertain what is. It has nothing to do with purpose. Science is also as limited as the beings who use it, and cannot possibly ascertain absolute truth, if there is such a thing.

[Margatroid]

In the pursuit of supposedly objective truth, science bypasses the need for meaning of experience. Meaning is something that only spirituality or philosophy can provide, and something which I believe cannot truly be expressed in words.

[rehabib2]

bound by its own limits .

[33Barker]

@thunyakijmax

Science is the attempt to prove what can only be "seen."

Religion is the attempt to feel(experience) what can't be seen(SPIRITUAL.)(higher conciousness.)

[adzug]

@33Barker to understand what can be seen but also whats at the edge of our understanding

[TPKOLWi]

You just can't explain it using the symbols you have created called words. An electron does not exist until you observe it with a specific instrument which will always exist in the physical world or the "world of our own reality tunnel." Reality cannot be viewed in absolution because you are describing with symbols in a physical world way the things of your conscious that are not describable with words or symbols. Shame we feel we must "understand" everything-what do we really understand? haha..

[360WIZZ]

@johnnycrisp22 My view is: 'Know' and 'unknowable' are defined words...things that can't fully comprehend a greater, living, constantly moving and changing whole of which they are only a finite part. To try to define 'life' with words such as 'know' or 'unknown' is to try and put the whole house in one of its rooms. To try and put the whole universe on one of it's planets.

[nilbud]

@360WIZZ You don't know the answer and so you pretend there is no question.

[StAndAl0neCompl3x]

Like what Margatroid said, you are not quite grasping Watts' message here--I'd suggest listening/reading a few more lectures by him. You will see that he is fundamentally saying the same thing.

[fcknBru]

ye i kno its the same thing in different words, to me, i see him as saying "i can put what i don't know into words and make it sound like nothing is something. there is still nothing there to know true wisdom would be saying nothing. (AGAIN BEFORE THE 10000000000 thumbs down, I'M WRONG, THERE IS NO REASON TO LISTEN TO ME) i only know what is right for me

[darkminus08]

it's a good listen!!

[payatntall]

he looks hell of alot like guy pierce

[VERSA86]

Everybody is weird... to believe there is a norm is but an act of a mental illusion a person has come to recognize and embed into their conscience.

For a nano moment, I thought Alan's picture made him appear to look like Hugo Weaving aka Mr. Smith or Elrond hehe

[fcknBru]

i doubt you'll get the reference but i thought thepic made him look like he character "Alan" in 2 and a half men"

[Karaeborg]

Omg. Yes. He so does.

[StAndAl0neCompl3x]

lol, you're right it did!

[hometown555]

He was weard like i am. lol i think about this stuff everyday. lol

[akashaditi]

he speaks the truth with such authenticity! an amazing man in an amazing mind

[renoboy666]

I've been very influenced by Alan Watts, in the same way that Bruce Lee was. I started listen to his talk in the mid-1990s (on a local public radio station) and then I purchased a huge collection of his lectures on tape and CD. I recommend Watts to everyone!

[silverskid]

The question of ego is really a question about personal identity. What makes any individual the "same" individual at different times in a lifespan, for example? Is there some unyielding essence? A neural or conscious substrate behind the various thoughts, percepts, feelings, acts individuals instantiate? If not, is the sense of personal continuity over time an utter illusion? There are many possible responses. But maybe clarifying the question is necessary before answering it.

[Don1Dadda]

@silverskid

i think the memory and the possessions are important to create that illusion of "continuity over time" and of course the institution of time itself

[bertubus]

This lecturer is in love with his own intellect. The intellect can only take you so far on the Spiritual path, where it must let the Heart take the lead and carry on Home.

[evanmuns]

You missed the point and are obviously not acquainted with the work of Alan Watts or you would not make such a comment.

[bertubus]

Which comes first, the seer or the seen?

My conciousness, my brain, my body, my mind, etc.

Notice the common theme?

So clever clogs, which comes first?

Conciousness is not encompassed by time.

IT IS, and also has the nature of BEING.

Own up!

[malmswax]

"That which is perceived...cannot perceive"

[nilbud]

@malmswax Like an ostrich

[malmswax]

@nilbud Like a mirror, for the invisible.

[findreligion]

I think you are missing that bertubus' point, evanmuns. Mr. bertubus is taking you to the next step, after the realization of the truth. And how to follow the truth. Everyones path is different and they must learn, in an indiviually specialized path.

Although I dont agree with Mr bertubus' analogy of Alan Watts, as a teacher. He emphasizes, one must let go of the Ego inorder to adhere to the truth. In saying that, No one can follow the truth unless you drop the ego. Watts knew the truth.

[davevisk]

You cant drop the ego. "One" can Only realise that there is not one to drop.

[findreligion]

Im not sure what Ego is in your definition. Ego in my life is something thats there. I try to be as humble as can be, but to say there is no ego is, unrealistic in my life. Ive heard that there is no pain its just an illusion. The same pricipal comes with this. If you pinch yourself there is pain and its real. Maybe its for us to live in this reality, of the body and the spirit, at the same time. Im just beginning the journey, Like a jig saw puzzle. I have enough of the puzzle piecesButNoPicture

[davevisk]

Ego in my definition is not an inflated sense of self esteem but an entity i call "me" that has an existence in and of it self seperate and interdependant of any thing else. I dont believe there is anyone inside our brain and i dont believe our brains give rise to some one, i believe they give rise to an idea or concept of some one. And any idea or concept can be changed or forgotton.

[Don1Dadda]

@davevisk

"seperate and interdependant" doesnt that contradict itself?

like your liver and your stomach (interdependent, yes, but in and of itself and seperate?)

[gore1sm]

Thank you for uploading this.