Buddhism: How to Let Go (Alan Watts)

AlanWatts.org; Sublime Minds, May 3, 2021; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

Zen Buddhism's stages of progress to enlightenment: Ten Ox (Bull) Herding Pictures (wiki)

Alan Watts: How to Completely Let Go

(Sublime Minds) In this profound and thought-provoking talk, renowned British philosopher Alan Watts delves into the principles of Zen philosophy and the art of letting go.

Zen circle: The nothing in the all (ensō)

Drawing on Eastern wisdom, Watts discusses the role of desire (craving), attachment (clinging), and spiritual energy (prana and chi) in Hindu and Chinese traditions, highlighting and contrasting perspectives, East and West.

Exploring the yogic concept of kundalini (dormant energy wound around base of spine like a serpent) and the significance of redirecting psychic energy, Watts reveals how the practice of yoga aims to elevate consciousness and transcend the dissipating nature of sexuality.

With a blend of Indian Buddhism (Brahmanism's Mahayana school) and Chinese Taoism, Zen emerges as a powerful expression of living awakened while actively engaging in the world.

Watts elucidates the essence of Zen and its unique approach to existence, characterized by being a "king on the outside and the sage on the inside."

He delves into the interplay between practical affairs and inward introspection, offering insights into the Chinese Zen (Chan) tradition and its integration with art, poetry, and academic scholarship.

Throughout this captivating talk, Watts sheds light on the nature of Zen training, emphasizing the dialogue between master and student (guru and chela), and the journey of self-discovery it entails.

He explores the paradoxical nature of Zen, where teachers often reject students and provoke them to persist in [their folly as] their quest for authentic being.

By immersing oneself in meditation, contemplating koans, and embracing a rigorous discipline, students are encouraged to transcend the illusion of self to experience profound liberating-insights.

As Watts narrates captivating anecdotes and shares deep insights, viewers are invited to contemplate the nature of reality, the significance of self-exploration, and the transformative power of embracing this present moment.

Discover the timeless wisdom of Zen philosophy and embark on a journey of self-discovery with a Western guide. Join this enlightening discussion on "letting go" to explore the profound teachings of Zen philosophy with Alan Watts, a masterful orator and philosopher who continues to inspire and challenge our perspectives on life, existence, and the nature of being.

Subscribe for more content focused on enlightening the world. Any video can make a difference, and it is hoped that audiences will find value in the content curated and created here. In this video, Alan Watts discusses morality (sila) and letting go (non-clinging).

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ABOUT: Alan Watts was a "spiritual entertainer," British philosopher, and genius. His words have touched many lives, listening repeatedly, hearing it at the right time. Watts was one of the very first philosophers to interpret Eastern philosophy for Western audiences. He was born outside of London in 1915 and in his youth discovered a nearby Buddhist lodge. In 1938 he moved to the United States of America where he first became an Episcopal priest and relocated to Millbrook, New York, where he wrote his most pivotal book The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety.

He later moved to the west coast to San Francisco in 1951, where he began to teach Buddhist studies. In 1956 he started his well-known radio show “Way Beyond the West.” By the Sixties, his radio talks were aired nationally. The countercultural movement adopted him as a spiritual genius. He continued to write and travel until the end of his life. #alanwatts #lecture #motivation #motivational #philosophy #spirituality