This Alan Watts reminder is so great. In the 90s I lived in Santa Cruz and on Sunday mornings at the ungodly hour of 7, the hip radio station KZSC ran an hour of Alan Watts lectures. It was a great way to start a new week and think on things. Loved it.
Through our eyes, the Universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the Universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witness through which the Universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.
Alan Watts
Imagine what the Universe is perceiving if we always look upon the ugliness in the world, what the Universe hears if all we listen to is discordant strife, what the Universe becomes conscious of if all we bear witness to is the darkness.
So many writers worry about publication and rewards. When a writer hears how their writings have turned someone's life around, given promise or inspiration, those other entrapments of the writers' world become tawdry trinkets to impress shallow people.
While I doubt this quote is actually from Alan Watts -- it doesn't sound like him, and I haven't been able to verify any linkage to him from a few minutes of searching -- it's still a groovy statement, and I dig it. Especially the last sentence, which casts a retroactively different shadow back over the previous ones. Those of us who are driven to write are doing it in search of and service to something that transcends writing and can never actually be achieved or captured by it. Eventually we may write our way to the point where the primary reality we have been searching for accidentally discloses itself to us -- after which we may or may not continue to write, depending on whether it just seems fun or not. But at that point we will definitely be off the hook, so to speak.
I am a writer who, as Sol Stein said it, "cannot not write." And he said something that I agree with that has also been taught by other great masters and teachers of the narrative craft, i.e. if writing is more of a "calling" (which is my feeling about why I write - and from what you said, may be yours as well) - it usually works out better than writing does for those who are seeking fame or gain.
NOTE: This post was edited by me when I noticed I had left out of the quote, in the following paragraph, from Sol Stein two important words: "...superior to the experience..."
But I must add that I view writing differently than one of your statements (Of course I offer my view for your consideration only, as I am certainly no authority or expert, and what works for you is great, no matter what anyone else thinks of it) - you said "...doing it in search of and service of something that transcends writing and can never be achieved or captured by it." Again, I agree with and quote Sol Stein: after he gave 4 of the most common "inappropriate intentions" for their writing given to him by writers seeking publication during his several decades as editor, publisher, best-selling author, and award-winning teacher: "Those are all occasional outcomes of the correct intention, which is to provide the reader with an experience that is superior to the experience the reader encounters in everyday life. If the reader is also rewarded with insights, it is not always the result of the writer's wisdom but the writer's ability to create the conditions that enable pleasure to edify."
This is in keeping, in my humble opinion, with the Buddhist path that I have followed since the 70's, which has inspired me to aver daily that I endeavor to always act, speak, and think in ways that benefit everyone (including myself) - (not that I am proficient at it). As I understand it, though, the transcendent-peak-experience of the ultimate-nature of reality - which has been called "enlightenment" or "nirvana" - which I believe is precisely what you are referring to as the "primary reality we have been searching for" that you said, "can never be achieved or captured by it (writing)." That "essence of transcendent wisdom", "the heart of understanding" is the inherent freedom - Buddha nature - basic goodness - has always been present in us and in everything in the totality of all-encompassing space. And it can only be said to be "achieved" in the sense of noticing what has always been present, so, it also cannot be "captured" by searching for it - it reveals itself by spontaneously springing forth when one surrenders the struggle to look for and capture some entity, the struggle to maintain and enhance our "selves" (in the sense of being a self that is separate from all of everything else - we're all interconnected and interdependent). That struggle is the problem. We must learn to "let it be" not just to "let go" - thus I have heard from Tibetan Tulku, Naropa University founder, which is where I met him and studied for a few months in '78-'79 (see "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism"). I don't mean to sound pedantic but am recalling that Watts was into Zen - and think this may be appropriate for this discussion.
An old proverb says the way to realize enlightenment is to "chop wood", and when asked what to do next the master says, "chop wood." In other words, we don't see different things, we see things differently, we don't do something other than write, we write when completely present in the moment-to-moment direct experience of that which is as it is, that from which all that has been a limit has fallen away - limitlessness - nowness.
This is a gem of insightful wisdom. Stephen. "There is nothing to attain," and I love the way you write so clearly about Buddhism, such a complex yet simple experience of relating to life. Thank you.
Thank you, Marilyn, for your generous, kind words. May you and all beings be free of suffering (dissatisfaction, mental/emotional/physical pain, frustration, and disappointment) and the cause of suffering (the struggle to secure and solidify our false idea of being a separate self - ego. See His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje's book "Interconnected"). Any insight you have experienced by reading the words I have shared is not due to any wisdom on my part but is a result of the precious teachings that I have been very fortunate to have received. They have been passed down through many generations of venerable teachers for more than 25 centuries. I know only a little...
IN MY OWN WAY his autobiography going from pAnglican priest to huge ‘influencer’ of this days for meditation , etc. My whole life for better or worse has been done ‘in my own way’ and thank you Tom Petty with a Southern Accent as well.
I agree. As an ex drunk .. well, I’m not drinking right at this moment, that could change quite easily..I can look back at my drinking and see it was my coping with extreme sensitivity to life and all that comes with it. And having creative talents but for one reason or another, not using them. Extremely unfulfilling feeling that alcohol can keep at bay. I’m not condemning or judging Alan Watts. I’m in no position to do so.
Nice. I wrote a decent novel which was published last year. Now I'm staring at a blank screen with utter dread. How will I ever manage to beat that? I would add to your advice – stop comparing yourself to other writers or yourself to yourself! Now I'm going to try to act on both your and my wise words!!
Darn interesting timing. Yesterday, I wrote at my blog about a novel I wrote in 1992, which I figured when it was done, was only just the beginning. Weird scary back muscle cramp pains behind my heart laid down after I wrote that post. "Kundalina, a tale about what Alabama might have been if it were so lucky.: https://afoolsworkneverends.blogspot.com/2024/09/kundalina-tale-about-what-alabama-might.html
The back muscle cramps were back this morning, so I wrote a cheeky preface to the sequel, and the cramps laid down mostly, and my chiropractor can see me this morning.
This might also have to do with my deciding whether or not to move to where my older daughter and her husband live a couple of hours drive from Birmingham. I was there when the cramps started. An important part of the old novel is set in the town where they live, they moved there almost 2 years ago.
You want to write something that the world will remember and hand it off to Noah because you are the third monkey and the first two are your mom and dad.
And you're writing on the way to the Ark knowing that Noah will certainly not let you on board and you'll be separated from your parents then die of drowning soon after
Yea I've been thinking of writing a post called "Why you should start a Substack." I mean... it may sound short sighted... of course not everyone needs to, or wants to write. But it's like... there are all these infinite thought-cannons and to think that we may not hear from some of them. Well damn!
I want an option more powerful than a like for this post.
Super-like!
Like, liker, likest.
This Alan Watts reminder is so great. In the 90s I lived in Santa Cruz and on Sunday mornings at the ungodly hour of 7, the hip radio station KZSC ran an hour of Alan Watts lectures. It was a great way to start a new week and think on things. Loved it.
And WBUR in Boston.
Oh cool! A fellow listener of the Watts files, or whatever it was called. I adored those.
I remember that!!
This post has set a fire beneath me. Thank you so much!
Through our eyes, the Universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the Universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witness through which the Universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.
Alan Watts
Imagine what the Universe is perceiving if we always look upon the ugliness in the world, what the Universe hears if all we listen to is discordant strife, what the Universe becomes conscious of if all we bear witness to is the darkness.
Brilliant observation.
So many writers worry about publication and rewards. When a writer hears how their writings have turned someone's life around, given promise or inspiration, those other entrapments of the writers' world become tawdry trinkets to impress shallow people.
“And please tell us something that will save us from ourselves.” *Mic drop
One of the best things I’ve read in a while. Watts is a legend and my greatest mentor 🙏
While I doubt this quote is actually from Alan Watts -- it doesn't sound like him, and I haven't been able to verify any linkage to him from a few minutes of searching -- it's still a groovy statement, and I dig it. Especially the last sentence, which casts a retroactively different shadow back over the previous ones. Those of us who are driven to write are doing it in search of and service to something that transcends writing and can never actually be achieved or captured by it. Eventually we may write our way to the point where the primary reality we have been searching for accidentally discloses itself to us -- after which we may or may not continue to write, depending on whether it just seems fun or not. But at that point we will definitely be off the hook, so to speak.
I am a writer who, as Sol Stein said it, "cannot not write." And he said something that I agree with that has also been taught by other great masters and teachers of the narrative craft, i.e. if writing is more of a "calling" (which is my feeling about why I write - and from what you said, may be yours as well) - it usually works out better than writing does for those who are seeking fame or gain.
NOTE: This post was edited by me when I noticed I had left out of the quote, in the following paragraph, from Sol Stein two important words: "...superior to the experience..."
But I must add that I view writing differently than one of your statements (Of course I offer my view for your consideration only, as I am certainly no authority or expert, and what works for you is great, no matter what anyone else thinks of it) - you said "...doing it in search of and service of something that transcends writing and can never be achieved or captured by it." Again, I agree with and quote Sol Stein: after he gave 4 of the most common "inappropriate intentions" for their writing given to him by writers seeking publication during his several decades as editor, publisher, best-selling author, and award-winning teacher: "Those are all occasional outcomes of the correct intention, which is to provide the reader with an experience that is superior to the experience the reader encounters in everyday life. If the reader is also rewarded with insights, it is not always the result of the writer's wisdom but the writer's ability to create the conditions that enable pleasure to edify."
This is in keeping, in my humble opinion, with the Buddhist path that I have followed since the 70's, which has inspired me to aver daily that I endeavor to always act, speak, and think in ways that benefit everyone (including myself) - (not that I am proficient at it). As I understand it, though, the transcendent-peak-experience of the ultimate-nature of reality - which has been called "enlightenment" or "nirvana" - which I believe is precisely what you are referring to as the "primary reality we have been searching for" that you said, "can never be achieved or captured by it (writing)." That "essence of transcendent wisdom", "the heart of understanding" is the inherent freedom - Buddha nature - basic goodness - has always been present in us and in everything in the totality of all-encompassing space. And it can only be said to be "achieved" in the sense of noticing what has always been present, so, it also cannot be "captured" by searching for it - it reveals itself by spontaneously springing forth when one surrenders the struggle to look for and capture some entity, the struggle to maintain and enhance our "selves" (in the sense of being a self that is separate from all of everything else - we're all interconnected and interdependent). That struggle is the problem. We must learn to "let it be" not just to "let go" - thus I have heard from Tibetan Tulku, Naropa University founder, which is where I met him and studied for a few months in '78-'79 (see "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism"). I don't mean to sound pedantic but am recalling that Watts was into Zen - and think this may be appropriate for this discussion.
An old proverb says the way to realize enlightenment is to "chop wood", and when asked what to do next the master says, "chop wood." In other words, we don't see different things, we see things differently, we don't do something other than write, we write when completely present in the moment-to-moment direct experience of that which is as it is, that from which all that has been a limit has fallen away - limitlessness - nowness.
This is a gem of insightful wisdom. Stephen. "There is nothing to attain," and I love the way you write so clearly about Buddhism, such a complex yet simple experience of relating to life. Thank you.
Thank you, Marilyn, for your generous, kind words. May you and all beings be free of suffering (dissatisfaction, mental/emotional/physical pain, frustration, and disappointment) and the cause of suffering (the struggle to secure and solidify our false idea of being a separate self - ego. See His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje's book "Interconnected"). Any insight you have experienced by reading the words I have shared is not due to any wisdom on my part but is a result of the precious teachings that I have been very fortunate to have received. They have been passed down through many generations of venerable teachers for more than 25 centuries. I know only a little...
IN MY OWN WAY his autobiography going from pAnglican priest to huge ‘influencer’ of this days for meditation , etc. My whole life for better or worse has been done ‘in my own way’ and thank you Tom Petty with a Southern Accent as well.
Tom was the man! Poor Alan died a drunk but got a lot out of his life and helped so many others. Bless ‘em both!
Being a drunk is such a common malady for creative souls. To alter one's consciousness to open (or close) the doors of perception?
I agree. As an ex drunk .. well, I’m not drinking right at this moment, that could change quite easily..I can look back at my drinking and see it was my coping with extreme sensitivity to life and all that comes with it. And having creative talents but for one reason or another, not using them. Extremely unfulfilling feeling that alcohol can keep at bay. I’m not condemning or judging Alan Watts. I’m in no position to do so.
Thank you for permission!
Nice. I wrote a decent novel which was published last year. Now I'm staring at a blank screen with utter dread. How will I ever manage to beat that? I would add to your advice – stop comparing yourself to other writers or yourself to yourself! Now I'm going to try to act on both your and my wise words!!
Darn interesting timing. Yesterday, I wrote at my blog about a novel I wrote in 1992, which I figured when it was done, was only just the beginning. Weird scary back muscle cramp pains behind my heart laid down after I wrote that post. "Kundalina, a tale about what Alabama might have been if it were so lucky.: https://afoolsworkneverends.blogspot.com/2024/09/kundalina-tale-about-what-alabama-might.html
The back muscle cramps were back this morning, so I wrote a cheeky preface to the sequel, and the cramps laid down mostly, and my chiropractor can see me this morning.
This might also have to do with my deciding whether or not to move to where my older daughter and her husband live a couple of hours drive from Birmingham. I was there when the cramps started. An important part of the old novel is set in the town where they live, they moved there almost 2 years ago.
I needed this
You want to write something that the world will remember and hand it off to Noah because you are the third monkey and the first two are your mom and dad.
And you're writing on the way to the Ark knowing that Noah will certainly not let you on board and you'll be separated from your parents then die of drowning soon after
Beautiful stuff. My only caveat would be I'm not sure that everyone who has nothing to write about is lucky.
Yea I've been thinking of writing a post called "Why you should start a Substack." I mean... it may sound short sighted... of course not everyone needs to, or wants to write. But it's like... there are all these infinite thought-cannons and to think that we may not hear from some of them. Well damn!