The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts

The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts video series was recorded in 1971 above Muir Woods, California, and in 1972 aboard the ferryboat the SS Vallejo in Sausalito. Produced by his son Mark and directed by long-time archivist Henry Jacobs, the series explores core philosophical themes that spawned over Watts' career.

1. 

   E1. Nothing

   Dec 31, 1972 · 342m

   Basing his ideas on sensory perception and physical experience, Alan Watts makes a compelling argument that everything actually depends upon nothing for its very existence.

2. 

   E2. Ego

   Dec 31, 1972 · 342m

   Alan Watts was concerned with the way we trap ourselves in words. He considered it unfortunate that we separate the "I" from reality and think of "I" in terms of how others see us or the image that we want to project. What is the answer?

3. 

   E3. Meditation

   Dec 31, 1972 · 342m

   As Alan Watts explains, "A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts and loses touch with reality." He covers basic mediation techniques, including listening without naming and mantras or sonic meditations.

4. 

   E4. God

   Dec 31, 1972 · 342m

   To many of us the image of God as a gray-bearded omnipotent and omnipresent supreme being has become implausible, yet the common sense notions of divine authority surrounding that image persist.

5. 

   E5. Cosmic Drama

   Dec 31, 1972 · 342m

   Alan Watts further explores the Hindu dramatic view of the universe, in which God plays all of the parts - all the while pretending not to know who he/she/it is!

6. 

   E6. Time

   Dec 31, 1972 · 342m

   Here Alan Watts points out that our insistence that the past determines the present is nonsensical.

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