Alan Watts - The Religion of No Religion

For over 40 years Alan Watts was the foremost interpreter of Eastern philosophy. He was instrumental in introducing Taoism, Buddhism and Zen to a Western audience in the 1950s and 60s. He was the author of more than 20 books and is one of the most widely read Philosophers of the 20th century. He was also a very highly regarded public speaker, renowned for his extraordinary intellect and wit.

Alan Watts was a man ahead of his time and this is proved by the fact that his insights are still relevant today, more than 30 years after his death. Watts was an autodidact (self educated) and had extensive knowledge in a diverse number of fields. His books and lectures often touched upon cosmology, quantum mechanics, physics, mathematics, ecology, psychology, biology, technology, art and literature. He also didn't limit himself to only Eastern philosophy. He also had a remarkable knowledge of all the world's major religions and philosophies. Watts was awarded an honorary doctorate for his work on comparative religion. He also had a good understanding of many European and Asian languages, including Chinese calligraphy.

The thing that most endeared Alan Watts to his audiences was his humour and humility. His lectures were often punctuated with poetry and readings from the ancient sages. His audiences often alternated from spontaneous laughter to astonishment when Watts delivered one of his amazing insights.

Although many viewed Watts as a guru, he was adamant that he wasn't. He once said "The thought that I'm a guru cracks me up. Because I know me." Watts said of gurus "They were people who would pick your pocket and sell you back your own watch." Watts simply called himself "A spiritual entertainer, with nothing at all to sell". He claimed his roll was liberative, since all any of us really needs is already within us.

Bobba (YinYangNature)

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[Agui007]

A fascinating audio. I've come across several of Alan Watts's talks and I am very interested.

[yinyangnature]

@Agui007 Watts' son Mark is currently making a movie about his father called "Why Not Now?" It's due for release early in 2012. I've seen a first cut preview and recommended to all Alan Watts fans.

[Chingfordassociates]

Just when I thought I'd heard all of the Watt's talks this little gem comes along. 'The only god you can cling to is the idea of god...stop clinging...real faith is when you do not hold on to anything anymore'

[yinyangnature]

@Chingfordassociates Indeed. Thanks for you feedback! 

[Dragon33304]

Thank you very much for uploading and keeping the wisdom of Alan Watts alive.

[yinyangnature]

@Dragon33304 Thanks for watching!

[yinyangnature]

@MusicMan20061210 The audio was recorded in the late 1960s and definitely not of the best quality. However, what is being said is so incredibly insightful, I think the sound quality is of very little significance - don't you agree?

[yinyangnature]

@tdarnold Can you be more specific? You have up to 500 characters available.

[TheTourVeiwer]

the pic at 2:39??



[hmoobontherun]

lsd can really fuk u up lolz

[Dionysos37]

PS Thank you for posting this excellent clip---I wish every person on the planet could hear just 10 minutes of A.W. It would change the world altogether.

[Dionysos37]

That our sitting here IS "the beatific vision" reminds me of Minoan and Etruscan fresco-paintings. Critics always so struck by their focus on the most ordinary daily scenes from life in their central arts---while as Watts argues here, face it: you're LOOKing at their "heaven," in this life itself (which they painted in such luminosity and sensuous, observed detail)....ANCIENT LIGHTS dot o-r-g

[chinopino7]

@yinyangnature can u let me know the details after it gets released? thanx. Alan Watts has Grandmaster Wisdom