Alan Watts: On Being God – Being in the Way Podcast Ep. 6 – Hosted by Mark Watts

Alan Watts - Being in the Way
26 Dec 202280:31
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this 1971 talk, Alan Watts explores the intersection of Western psychology and Eastern spirituality, challenging the audience's perceptions of reality and the self. He discusses the limitations of Western therapy and religion in understanding mystical experiences and invites the audience to engage in a thought-provoking clinical experiment. Watts' discourse delves into the nature of consciousness, the misconceptions of God and the divine, and the importance of embracing one's interconnectedness with the universe.

Takeaways
  • 🌐 Western psychology and psychiatry have more in common with Eastern religions than with Western religions in terms of exploring human consciousness.
  • 🧠 Western psychology often views altered states of consciousness as sick, whereas Eastern religions embrace them as mystical experiences.
  • 💭 The nature of reality and consciousness is a central concern for psychiatry and psychology, but less so for institutional Western religions.
  • 🚫 The scientific materialism of the 19th century still influences psychological thinking, with Freud's psychoanalysis being compared to a hydraulic system.
  • 🌿 The human mind is seen as the pinnacle of evolution, a development from more primitive forms of life through natural selection.
  • 🧐 The realization that much of our conscious ego is superficial and not the true self was a significant revelation of psychoanalysis.
  • 🏛️ Psychiatry and psychotherapy are becoming the religions of the West, with their own rituals, hierarchies, and forms of authority.
  • 🚨 The power of psychiatrists to label and treat individuals can be dangerous, as our understanding of the human mind is still limited.
  • 🌌 The concept of being God or one with God is a profound spiritual experience shared across various cultures and religions.
  • 🔄 The universe operates in cycles of improvement and decline, and understanding this can lead to a greater sense of connection and responsibility.
Q & A
  • What is the main theme of Alan Watts' talk in 1971?

    -The main theme of Alan Watts' talk is the exploration of the concept of 'being God' and how it relates to Western psychology, psychiatry, and Eastern religions, particularly focusing on the experiences of altered states of consciousness.

  • How does Alan Watts view the relationship between Western therapy and Eastern religions?

    -Alan Watts suggests that neither Western therapy nor Western religions are particularly equipped to deal with individuals who have had mystical experiences or altered states of consciousness, which form the basis of Eastern religions.

  • What does Alan Watts imply about the nature of reality in the context of official psychiatry?

    -Alan Watts implies that official psychiatry often perceives reality in a limited way, much like the world is seen on a bleak Monday morning, and that it tends to treat different states of consciousness as forms of sickness rather than transformations or spiritual experiences.

  • How does Alan Watts compare the development of human consciousness to Darwin's theories of evolution?

    -Alan Watts compares the development of human consciousness to Darwin's theories by suggesting that the human mind is seen as a fortuitous development from more primitive forms of life, emerging through mechanical processes like natural selection and survival of the fittest.

  • What role does Alan Watts attribute to the concept of 'boredom' in relation to creativity?

    -Alan Watts describes boredom as the Yin to the Yang of creativity, suggesting that the energy of creation has its complementary energy in boredom, and that both are necessary and interconnected aspects of existence.

  • How does Alan Watts discuss the idea of 'karma' in the context of personal responsibility?

    -Alan Watts discusses 'karma' as the law of cause and effect in action, emphasizing that it means individuals are responsible for their actions and experiences, rather than being the result of good or bad deeds in a previous life.

  • What is the significance of the 'clinical experiment' that Alan Watts invites the audience to participate in?

    -The 'clinical experiment' is a thought exercise where Alan Watts positions himself as a patient who has had a mystical experience and believes himself to be God, inviting the audience to engage with him and ask questions, aiming to provoke thought and discussion on the nature of self and consciousness.

  • How does Alan Watts relate the concept of 'God' to the feeling of unity with the universe?

    -Alan Watts suggests that realizing that one is 'God' or one with 'God' is another way of expressing the feeling of being completely connected with and a part of the universe, which can lead to a sense of profound rootedness and intimacy with all that exists.

  • What does Alan Watts propose as an alternative to viewing life as a series of problems to be solved?

    -Alan Watts proposes viewing life as a dance, where one does not dance to get somewhere but to express oneself and engage with the present moment, turning confusion into a form of movement and expression that is not focused on reaching a destination.

  • How does Alan Watts address the potential danger of individuals believing they are 'God' and attempting to change the world?

    -Alan Watts acknowledges the danger of individuals attempting to play 'God' by trying to change the world without fully understanding the interconnectedness of all things, as it can lead to unintended consequences and cause harm to both themselves and others.

Outlines
00:00
🎤 Introduction to 'Being in the Way' with Mark Watts

This paragraph introduces the speaker, Mark Watts, and the topic of the talk, 'Being God,' which was recorded in 1971 at a conference on Western therapy and Eastern religions. The talk explores the relationship between Western therapy, Western religions, and mystical experiences or altered states that form the basis of Eastern religions. It highlights the inadequacy of Western therapy and religions in dealing with individuals who have had such experiences and invites the audience to participate in a clinical experiment.

05:02
🌿 Western Psychology and Psychiatry vs. Eastern Religions

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the common ground between Western psychology, psychiatry, and the religions of Asia, noting that both are interested in changing states of human consciousness. However, institutional Western religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are less concerned with transformation of consciousness and more with behavior, doctrine, and belief. The speaker criticizes the treatment of non-normal states of consciousness in Western psychology as sick and argues that official psychiatry guards socially approved experiences of reality, which are often narrow and limited.

10:03
💡 The Human Consciousness and its Limitations

This paragraph delves into the limitations of human consciousness, particularly our conscious attention, which is inadequate for dealing with the complex, multi-dimensional processes of the natural universe. The speaker discusses the concept of evolution and the human race's attempt to direct it, despite our limited cognitive abilities. He also touches on the historical context of scientific naturalism and its influence on psychological thinking, likening psychoanalysis to an outdated Newtonian mechanics model.

15:06
🏛️ The Rise of Psychiatry as a New Religion

The speaker compares the practices and structures of psychiatry and psychotherapy to those of institutional religion, highlighting their similarities in terms of rituals, hierarchy, and dogma. He discusses the potential dangers of this 'new religion,' where psychiatrists wield significant power and control over individuals, sometimes leading to persecution and mistreatment of those with unorthodox states of consciousness. The speaker warns against the officialization of psychiatric doctrines and the potential for abuse of power.

20:08
🧠 The Mystery and Power of the Human Mind

In this paragraph, the speaker emphasizes the vast unknowns surrounding the human mind and the potential dangers of concentrating too much power in the hands of psychiatrists. He criticizes the idea of officially qualifying individuals to perform psychotherapy, likening it to the unpredictability of artistic genius. The speaker advocates for a more open and unofficial approach to therapy and spiritual exploration.

25:09
🕉️ The Great Heresy and the Nature of Christ's Message

The speaker discusses the concept of heresy in Western religion, particularly focusing on Jesus Christ's claim of divinity, which was considered heretical. He explores the historical context of this claim and its implications for religious authority and individual spiritual experience. The speaker suggests that the true message of Christ was about recognizing and realizing one's own divine nature, but this message was obscured and made irrelevant over time.

30:11
🌌 The Cosmic Consciousness and its Implications

This paragraph delves into the concept of Cosmic Consciousness, a state of awareness that is spontaneous and transcends cultural boundaries. The speaker discusses the transformative power of this experience and its potential to alleviate feelings of alienation and hostility. He argues that recognizing one's unity with the universe can lead to a more harmonious existence and a reduced tendency to try to control or dominate the world around us.

35:16
🧘‍♂️ The Experience of 'I am God' and its Therapeutic Exploration

The speaker invites the audience to engage in a therapeutic exploration of the idea 'I am God.' He presents himself as a patient who believes he is God and encourages the audience to interact with him as they would with a patient. This interactive segment aims to challenge and question conventional understandings of divinity, selfhood, and the nature of reality.

40:20
🎭 The Nature of Boredom and the Pursuit of Meaning

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the concept of boredom and its relationship with creativity. He suggests that boredom is an inevitable part of life and can be a catalyst for seeking new experiences and meaning. The speaker also touches on the idea of responsibility for one's own life and experiences, emphasizing the importance of accepting and embracing the present moment.

45:22
🌠 The Dance of Life and the Role of Chance

The speaker reflects on the cyclical nature of the universe and the role of chance within it. He likens life to a dance where the goal is not to reach a destination but to engage in the movement itself. The speaker encourages embracing the present and finding joy in everyday activities, transforming them into a form of dance or ritual.

50:24
🤔 The Paradox of Self and the Power of Awareness

This paragraph explores the paradox of self and the concept of awareness. The speaker discusses the idea of a 'witness self' that observes experiences without being involved in them. He warns against the misuse of this concept, as it can become a hideout for the ego. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of all things and the power of 'nothing' as a foundational aspect of 'something.'

55:24
🌅 The Simplicity of Nothingness and the Origins of Something

In the final paragraph, the speaker contemplates the simplicity and power of nothingness as the source of all creation. He challenges the Western philosophical notion that 'nothing comes from nothing' and suggests that the very fabric of reality arises from the void. The speaker concludes the talk by reinforcing the idea that understanding the interplay of yin and yang, or nothingness and something, provides profound insights into the nature of existence.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Consciousness
Consciousness refers to an individual's awareness and perception of their environment, thoughts, and emotions. In the context of the video, it is the basis for exploring the mystical experiences and altered states that form the core of Eastern religions and is a subject of great interest in Western psychology and psychiatry. Alan Watts discusses how different states of consciousness are often treated as 'sick' in Western psychology, and he challenges this notion by suggesting that these states might offer profound insights into human nature and the universe.
💡Western Therapy
Western Therapy refers to the psychological and psychiatric treatments developed in Western societies, which often focus on changing or modifying behavior and addressing mental health disorders. In the video, Alan Watts critiques Western therapy for not being equipped to handle individuals who have had mystical experiences or altered states of consciousness, suggesting that it often pathologizes these experiences rather than understanding their transformative potential.
💡Eastern Religions
Eastern Religions encompass a broad range of spiritual traditions and philosophies that originated in Asia, including but not limited to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. These religions often emphasize spiritual practices aimed at achieving altered states of consciousness or mystical experiences. In the video, Alan Watts discusses the common ground between Eastern religions and Western psychology in their interest in changing states of human consciousness, contrasting this with the more behavior and doctrine-focused approach of institutional Western religions.
💡Mystical Experiences
Mystical experiences refer to profound personal encounters with a sense of the divine or ultimate reality that transcend the boundaries of ordinary perception and understanding. These experiences are often reported to be deeply transformative and are central to many Eastern religious traditions. In the video, Alan Watts discusses how mystical experiences, which are the basis of Eastern religions, are not well-understood or effectively addressed by Western therapy and religion.
💡Clinical Experiment
A clinical experiment refers to a research study conducted with human participants, often to test the efficacy of a treatment or to gain insights into a particular condition or phenomenon. In the video, Alan Watts uses the term to describe an interactive session he conducts with the audience, where he positions himself as a patient who has had a mystical experience and believes himself to be God, inviting questions and dialogue to explore the nature of such experiences and their implications.
💡Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a method of treating mental disorders through the interpretation of unconscious conflicts and defense mechanisms by a therapist. It was developed by Sigmund Freud and has had a significant influence on modern psychology. In the video, Alan Watts critiques psychoanalysis for being based on a mechanistic view of the mind, likening it to 'psycho-hydraulics,' and suggests that it pathologizes states of consciousness that do not align with the norm.
💡Human Nature
Human nature refers to the fundamental characteristics and behaviors that are typically shared by all humans, often considered to be innate. In the context of the video, Alan Watts discusses how Western psychology and religion have historically viewed human nature as separate from and superior to the natural world, leading to a sense of alienation and a desire to control or conquer nature.
💡Evolution
Evolution refers to the process by which species of organisms change over time through genetic variation and natural selection. In the video, Alan Watts discusses the historical context in which human consciousness was seen as a fortunate development from more primitive forms of life. He critiques the notion that evolution is a purely mechanical process and suggests that human ingenuity should direct the course of evolution rather than leaving it to spontaneous processes.
💡Institutional Religion
Institutional Religion refers to the organized systems of belief, worship, and doctrine that are established within a society. These institutions often have a hierarchical structure and prescribed rituals. In the video, Alan Watts draws parallels between the structure of psychoanalysis and institutional religion, suggesting that both have similar mechanisms of authority and control over individuals' lives and beliefs.
💡Karma
Karma is a concept in Eastern religions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, that refers to the law of cause and effect as it relates to an individual's actions. It suggests that the consequences of one's actions in this life or previous lives will determine the nature of their future existence. In the video, Alan Watts discusses karma not as a concept of reward and punishment but as the understanding that one's actions (karma) shape their experiences and reality.
💡God
In the context of the video, the term 'God' is used to explore the idea of a higher power or divine entity, as well as the concept of the divine within each individual. Alan Watts discusses the notion of individuals experiencing a sense of oneness with a greater cosmic force, which he relates to the teachings of various religious traditions, including Hinduism and Christianity. He challenges the traditional understanding of God as a separate, omnipotent being and instead suggests that recognizing oneself as part of the divine can lead to a deeper sense of connection and understanding of the universe.
Highlights

Alan Watts discusses the intersection of Western therapy, Western religions, and Eastern mystical experiences.

Neither Western therapy nor Western religions are equipped to deal with individuals who've had mystical experiences.

Watts conducts a clinical experiment, positioning himself as a patient who believes he is God and invites questions from the audience.

Western psychology typically views altered states of consciousness as sick, whereas Eastern religions embrace these states.

Psychiatry and psychology are becoming the religions of the West, with their own rituals and hierarchies.

Watts draws parallels between the development of the human mind and the evolution of the universe.

The concept of 'nothing' is essential to 'something', challenging Western thought that 'out of nothing, comes nothing'.

Watts suggests that the human race must take charge of its own evolution, moving away from natural selection and survival of the fittest.

The idea of being God implies feeling completely connected with the universe and its energy.

Watts explores the concept of 'karma', explaining it as 'doing' rather than a system of rewards and punishments for past actions.

He emphasizes the importance of feeling at one with the universe to avoid feelings of alienation and hostility.

Watts discusses the heretical nature of Jesus Christ's claim of divinity within the context of Hebrew culture.

The notion of 'karma' is further explored as one's responsibility for their actions and the events that happen to them.

Watts challenges the idea of 'omniscience' as traditionally understood, suggesting it is more about experiencing the present fully rather than knowing all facts.

The concept of 'boredom' is presented as a necessary counterpart to creativity and action, and a source of self-exploration.

Watts uses the metaphor of sleep as an 'undulation in consciousness', relating it to the concept of death and the cyclical nature of existence.

He addresses the potential dangers of everyone identifying as God, especially in the context of social action and reform.

Watts concludes by emphasizing the simplicity and power of 'nothing', and how it is essential to the creation and existence of 'something'.

The talk highlights the importance of understanding and accepting one's role and responsibility in the universe as part of a larger, interconnected whole.

Transcripts
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