Alan Watts explores the idea that existence is not a linear journey but a playful art form without a predetermined destination. He critiques traditional education for framing life as a step-by-step progression, which fosters missed opportunities for living fully in the moment. Watts warns against the dangers of postponing happiness for future success, leading to a sense of emptiness later in life. His insights encourage embracing the present and experiencing life as a gift.
05:30
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Life As Play, Not A Destination
Alan Watts argues existence is essentially playful, not driven by necessity or destination.
He compares life to music and dance to show the point is living, not arriving.
insights INSIGHT
The Problem With Graded Progress
Watts criticizes schooling and work culture for treating life as a graded path to a future reward.
This expectation empties present experience and leads people to feel cheated when they 'arrive'.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Live Now, Don't Postpone Joy
Stop postponing living for a future ‘arrival’ like retirement or success.
Engage in life now by treating it like music: sing and dance while it plays.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Life is NOT a Journey - Alan Watts
Alan Wilson Watts (6 January 1915 – 16 November 1973) was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. His philosophies seem to transcend ego, politics and limitations. His monologues have a powerful way of connecting distant abstract ideas with the present moment and his words have a unique way of putting life into perspective. Life is a gift.These animations take a tremendous amount of time and effort. If you'd like to help keep this channel running, then please support After Skool on Patreon. Your generosity means the world! Thank you https://www.patreon.com/AfterSkoolFor more interesting animation, please subscribe!Send us your video ideas or get in touch if you want to make an animation of you own.
Follow the podcast for new episodes.
We cannot change the world. But we can change ourselves...and that will change the world. The goal of this podcast is to empower the individual and deliver profound ideas through art.
Find After Skool on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AfterSkool/videos
Disclaimer: This podcast is an independent initiative inspired by the thought-provoking content of After Skool. It is created by a viewer who appreciates the depth of the ideas shared and wants to make them more accessible in an audio format. While every effort is made to preserve the essence of the original content, this is not an official After Skool production, nor is it affiliated with or endorsed by After Skool. All rights to the original material belong to After Skool. If you have any concerns regarding this podcast, please feel free to reach out.
After Skool