logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
42m 15s

Ep. 30 – Flow: Symbolic Reality vs. Real...

BE HERE NOW NETWORK / LOVE SERVE REMEMBER FOUNDATION
About this episode

In a lecture on symbolic reality versus real reality, Alan Watts explains the importance of total sensory awareness and looking at our motivations.

"Symbolic Reality vs. Real Reality" is part of Flow, a three-part session in the TAO for NOW series of talks that you can listen to in full over at the Alan Watts Streaming Channel

Today’s episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/alan and get on your way to being your best self.

This time on Being in the Way, Alan Watts discusses:

  • Being aware of all sensory inputs while meditating
  • Allowing oneself ‘to be’ in a non-conceptual way
  • Confusing the world of symbols for reality
  • The limits to what we can enjoy in a material sense
  • The uselessness of guilt
  • Money, tithes, and western religion versus gurus
  • Why our motivation and intention matters
  • Experiencing life naked and directly
  • The Taoist approach to letting go of your body-mind
  • Using all five of our senses to witness our surroundings

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.

“The point is to be wide, wide awake and aware of your total sensory input without confusing it with the symbolic world of words and concepts so that you experience life naked and directly. Experience YOU naked and directly, without having in your head the concept of who you are a a role player, as a personality, as an ego. – Alan Watts

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
May 15
Ep. 35 – Dreaming the World
Diving into the cosmic drama of reality, Alan Watts describes the world as a divine dream which is poetic, playful, and only sometimes serious.Being in the Way is brought to you by the Alan Watts Organization and Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation. Visit Alanwatts.org for f ... Show More
54m 16s
Jan 2025
Ep. 34 – Confucianism vs. Taoism
Breaking free from cause-and-effect and the formal ideas of Confucianism, Alan Watts describes mutual arising as the key idea of the Tao.Today’s episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/alan and get on your way to being your best self.T ... Show More
59m 59s
Nov 2024
Ep. 33 – Zen Reconsidered
Re-familiarizing us with Zen traditions, Alan Watts inspires listeners to move beyond going through the motions of practice.Today’s episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/alan and get on your way to being your best self.In this episod ... Show More
51m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
Ep. 234 – The Awakening of the Soul
In this potent talk from 1976, Ram Dass explores the channels of perception of individual differences and how every experience in life is grist for the mill of the awakening of the soul.Two cultural icons. Two unique perspectives... One understanding of the presence of the way.Ra ... Show More
50m 17s
Sep 2023
Ep. 235 – The Process of Awakening
In this recording from 1976, Ram Dass explores the process of awakening and becoming enlightened. Featuring a musical interlude from Krishna Das and an introduction from Raghu Markus.This episode is a continuation of the dharma talk from Here and Now Ep. 234 – The Awakening of th ... Show More
44m 58s
Mar 2024
031 The Cork Meditation: The Most Powerful Meditation In The World
📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTubeEmbark on a journey with me as we uncover the profound effects of visualization and meditation on emotional resilience. Over the past decade, I've refined a practice that quiets the mind and nurtures the art of letting go, and it's time to share tha ... Show More
25m 55s
Oct 2022
Alan Watts - Secrets To Happiness
Alan Watts about the spiritual concepts of life. Talking about reality and the key to a peace of mind. #AlanWatts #AllanWatts #Spirituality #Psychology #lecture #philosophy 
45m 9s
Oct 2023
using self-remembering to awaken from the dream of life
Self-remembering" is an esoteric practice focused on cultivating heightened self-awareness. Practitioners observe their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without judgment, fostering mindfulness in the present moment. This technique encourages detachment from ego-driven ... Show More
25m 49s