In this engaging discussion, Alan Watts, a renowned spiritual teacher known for his insights into Eastern philosophies, shares his reflections on Taoism. He emphasizes the importance of interconnectedness and balance, contrasting it with modern individualism. The conversation dives into karma and spiritual liberation, advocating for actions devoid of attachment. Watts also explores the fluidity of identity and thought, urging listeners to embrace the present moment. Through vivid analogies, he encourages a playful yet profound understanding of life’s complexities.

Uncovering how we arise mutually with all things, Alan Watts examines our place in the universe and how very natural it is to be human.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/alanContinuing the last episode's dharma talk on Taoism, relativity, and the connections between you and not-you; Mark introduces part two of his father's classic talk, Being in the Way – a fundamental lecture by Alan explaining mutual arising within the context of a human-populated, yet ever-changing universe.This series is made in partnership with the Alan Watts Organization. Discover the official Alan Watts archive at alanwatts.org"You can be untaught. In other words, your mind can be wiped clean, and you can experience yourself as a whirlpool of energy in a stream which is the Tao, which is the total course of nature, the energy field of the whole cosmos." – Alan WattsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alan Watts, a pivotal spiritual teacher, dives into the heart of Taoism, unraveling ancient Chinese philosophies with profound insights. He discusses the dynamic interplay of Yin and Yang, revealing the inseparable nature of opposites. Watts challenges societal conventions and invites listeners to embrace their mortality, suggesting that acceptance leads to liberation in life's later stages. He also emphasizes the philosophy of 'wu wei,' advocating for a harmonious flow with the universe, encouraging us to act naturally and let go.

Alan Watts illuminates the connections between Taoism and relativity, technology and human evolution, culture and separation, Saints and rascals, you and not-you, as well as difference and unity.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/alanFurthering outlining his father's storied life and works, Mark shares his perspective on Alan's early literary successes, radio work, and ensuing lecture tours. Highlighting how Alan's lively and expressive style of sharing dharma on the public stage quickly captivated audiences hungry for insight into the mystery, Mark introduces part one of the talk that is the namesake of this podcast: Being in the Way.This series is made in partnership with the Alan Watts Organization. Discover the official Alan Watts archive at alanwatts.org"The principle of relativity is absolutely fundamental to an understanding of Taoist philosophy. That is to say, that wherever you are, whoever you are, and whatever you are: you're in the middle." – Alan WattsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alan Watts pulls back the veil of ‘the human game,’ digging into language, ethics, finding balance, and the art of the controlled accident. Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/alanIn this episode, Mark Watts introduces Alan Watts in ‘Learning the Human Game’ – originally recorded at a seminar at the University of Michigan. In this lecture, Alan explores the connection between language and ethics, helping us understand why the perfect balance between randomness and order is the optimal middle-ground for experiencing life.This series is brought to you by the Alan Watts Organization and Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation. Visit Alanwatts.org for full talks from Alan Watts.“Mental health is a good game—and a good game is what keeps a certain balance between randomness and order. And a healthy society, therefore, is one which keeps a proper balance between law and whimsy.” – Alan WattsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

In this intimate session, Alan Watts shares distinctive philosophical vantage points outlining humankind's relationship to nature.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/alanWelcoming listeners into a seminar session from SMU in 1965, Mark introduces the pivotal Alan Watts lecture, 'Man and Nature,' which he describes as one of his father's most engaging talks, positively focused on ecology and our relationship with the natural world and ecosphere.This series is made in partnership with the Alan Watts Organization. Discover the official Alan Watts archive at alanwatts.orgToday's talk comes from the Tao of Philosophy from Mark's specially curated Alan Watts Essential Lectures CollectionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Illuminating the truth of the relationship between awareness and self, Alan Watts naturally opens us to the inevitable ecstasy of surrender.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/alanThis series is made in partnership with the Alan Watts Organization. Discover the official Alan Watts archive at alanwatts.org"There are states of consciousness in which you can listen to sound and realize that is the whole point of being alive, just to go with this particular energy manifestation that is happening right at this moment—to be it. The whole world is the energy playing, doing all this, like a kaleidoscope jazzing." – Alan WattsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sifting down behind the cultural myth of man as separate, Alan explores how we are all actually Earth, the Universe, and the Big Bang.In this episode of Being in the Way, Alan takes us on a journey from childhood to adulthood, highlighting how we are trained into separation from a young age, and forced to focus on the never-arriving “future,” rather than being present in the moment. Through this lens, he further spelunks the “hoax of man” and offers insight into how this sense of ego identity creates tension and frustration.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/alan In this episode Alan discusses:How from childhood onward we are constantly preparing for something in the future, rather than being present for lifeThe culture’s division of work and play, and the confused idea that money can buy you pleasureGrowing up in society, identity, defining a person, and being a “genuine fake”How the sense of ego creates tension, separation, alienation, and frustrationThe inseparable connection of the polarity of self and otherThe dawn of creation and how we are not actually separate from the Big BangThe 19th-century myth that man is a fluke in an unintelligent, automatic universe“Your actual self—what is finally and fundamentally you—is not a separate and lonely part of the world, but the real you is the world itself, everything that there is, expressing itself as this particular organism here and now.” – Alan WattsThis series is brought to you by the Alan Watts Organization and Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation. Visit Alanwatts.org for full talks from Alan Watts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alan Watts, a renowned spiritual teacher and author, dives deep into the themes of sensory awareness and the illusion of material reality. He encourages listeners to engage fully with their surroundings, distinguishing between symbolic and real experiences. Watts challenges the confusion between societal symbols like wealth and authentic experiences. He promotes embracing all senses and letting go of the ego to experience life directly. The conversation also tackles the emotional complexities in spirituality, advocating for genuine liberation over guilt.