Alan Watts Being in the Way

Ep. 24 – Myth of Myself

Aug 2, 2023

Alan Watts, a renowned philosopher, invites listeners to ponder the intricate notions of identity and the ‘Myth of Myself.’ He critiques the Western conception of self as isolated, presenting a more interconnected view of existence. Watts emphasizes the importance of shifting from a narrow ‘spotlight consciousness’ to a broader ‘floodlight consciousness,’ fostering awareness of our cosmic interconnectedness. He also explores fears related to death and how understanding our place within the universe can lead to personal growth and compassion.

43:52

Episode guests

Alan Watts

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Cosmic Encyclopedia Britannica

01:12

Myth of Myself

01:04

Intro

3min

Rethinking Self and Existence

23min

The Illusion of Self and Interconnectedness

6min

Exploring the Fear of Death and the True Nature of Self

2min

Spotlight vs. Floodlight Consciousness

12min

Understanding Self and Environment Harmony

3min

This time on the Being in the Way Podcast, Alan Watts delves into questions of identity, purpose and buying into the ‘Myth of Myself’.

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In this episode, Alan Watts explores:

The question of our own identity and our place in the world
Myths of the self handed down through history
Viewing ourselves and the world with a “floodlight consciousness” – rather than the narrow “spotlight consciousness” we are taught to see the world through
How we are not born into this world, but grow out of it – “In the same way an apple tree apples, the Earth peoples.”

“The most fascinating problem in the world is who am I? What do you feel when you say the word I? I myself?

This problem has fascinated me for many years. Most Western people locate their ego inside their heads. This is the ordinary average conception of what is oneself.” – Alan Watts

This series is brought to you by the Alan Watts Organization and Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation. Visit https://Alanwatts.org for full talks from Alan Watts.

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