logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
51m 27s

Ep. 33 – Zen Reconsidered

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

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 episode of Being in the Way, Alan Watts explains:

  • Our lack of awareness of the basic structure of the world
  • The world itself as meaningless (non-symbolic)
  • Realizing fundamental energy and Zen as the religion of no religion
  • The metaphysical in terms of the everyday
  • The composition of Zen practice
  • How westerners are bothered by ritual and splendor
  • How Buddhism has degenerated over the years
  • A re-familiarization with Buddhism for modernity

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.

“There is this tremendous problem, unless the Buddhist tradition is to go down the drain completely, of re-familiarizing the Japanese with what it’s all about. Over the years it has degenerated into going through the motions and into being something which is just a kind of magic.” – 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
Oct 2024
Ep. 32 – Zen and the Art of the Controlled Accident
Focusing on cosmic balance, Alan Watts outlines the fundamentals of Taoism and how to skillfully interfere with our environment.Find the full Zen and the Art of the Controlled Accident series of talks at play.alanwatts.org.Today’s episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give onl ... Show More
42m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
197 - A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism
In this episode of the Secular Buddhism Podcast, I sit down with Cortland Dahl, author of A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism, to explore how Buddhist teachings and meditation can help us navigate life’s challenges with awareness, compassion, and wisdom.Cortland shares insights from ... Show More
59m 48s
Oct 2021
Thich Nhat Hanh: Zen Master and Simple Monk (Episode #8)
Welcome to episode eight of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our li ... Show More
1h 27m
May 2023
Listeners’ Questions: Responding from the Heart (Episode #51)
Welcome to episode 51 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives ... Show More
1h 22m
Mar 2025
Ep. 273 – Living in the Spirit
In this talk from 1970, Ram Dass explores the transformation from ignorance to wisdom, going up and coming down, living in the spirit, and different techniques of centering.The Ram Dass community gathers regularly to engage in meaningful discussions about the podcast. We invite y ... Show More
53m 46s
Oct 2021
Engaged Buddhism: Applying the Teachings in Our Present Moment (Episode #9)
Welcome to episode nine of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our liv ... Show More
57m 36s
Aug 2024
190 - No Mud, No Lotus
In this episode of the Secular Buddhism podcast, we explore the Buddhist perspective on suffering and how we can transform our relationship with it. We'll explore how changing our relationship with suffering can lead to personal growth, wisdom, and even unexpected joy. This episo ... Show More
24m 36s
Aug 2024
Being with Painful Feelings (Episode #73)
Welcome to episode 73 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives ... Show More
1h 27m
May 2023
Be Beautiful, Be Yourself (Episode #50)
Welcome to episode 50 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives ... Show More
1h 18m
Aug 2024
Ep. 347: Nyaya Sutra Against Buddhist Skeptics (Part Two)
Mark, Seth, and Dylan now turn to ch. 4 of Dasti/Phillips' Nyaya Sutra: Selections with Early Commentaries about the self. Buddhism famously claims that there is no self, and the Nyaya philosophers respond with both common-sensical arguments (e.g. psychological properties must be ... Show More
37m 57s
May 2024
Breaking Down Buddhism
📿📿📿 Paul and Stephen are honored to welcome the esteemed Dr. Khy Sovanratana, dear friend of Dr. Stephen Asma, and former monk in the Theravada tradition in Cambodia. After 34 years as a monk, Dr. Sovanratana removed his robe and left the monastery to become the Minister of Fo ... Show More
1h 15m