Alan Watts Quotes And Sayings

Alan Wilson Watts was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Born in Chislehurst, England, he moved to the United States in 1938 and began Zen training in New York. Pursuing a career, he attended Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, where he received a master’s degree in theology. Watts became an Episcopal priest in 1945.

To Have Faith Is To Trust Yourself To The Water. When You Swim You Don't Grab Hold Of The Water, Because If You Do You Will Sink And Drown. Instead You Relax, And Float.

Alan Watts Quotes (1) - To Have Faith Is To Trust Yourself To The... - QuotesTo Have Faith Is To Trust Yourself To The Water. When You Swim You Don't Grab Hold Of The Water, Because If You Do You Will Sink And Drown. Instead You Relax, And Float.

Alan Watts Quotes (1) - To Have Faith Is To Trust Yourself To The... - Quotes

I Have Realized That The Past And Future Are Real Illusions, That They Exist In The Present, Which Is What There Is And All There Is.

Alan Watts Quotes (11) - I Have Realized That The Past And Future... - QuotesI Have Realized That The Past And Future Are Real Illusions, That They Exist In The Present, Which Is What There Is And All There Is.

Alan Watts Quotes (11) - I Have Realized That The Past And Future... - Quotes

The Reason We Have Poverty Is That We Have No Imagination. There Are A Great Many People Accumulating What They Think Is Vast Wealth, But It's Only Money... They Don't Know How To Enjoy It, Because They Have No Imagination.

Alan Watts Quotes (10) - The Reason We Have Poverty Is That We Ha... - QuotesThe Reason We Have Poverty Is That We Have No Imagination. There Are A Great Many People Accumulating What They Think Is Vast Wealth, But It's Only Money... They Don't Know How To Enjoy It, Because They Have No Imagination.

Alan Watts Quotes (10) - The Reason We Have Poverty Is That We Ha... - Quotes

No Valid Plans For The Future Can Be Made By Those Who Have No Capacity For Living Now.

Alan Watts Quotes (12) - No Valid Plans For The Future Can Be Mad... - QuotesNo Valid Plans For The Future Can Be Made By Those Who Have No Capacity For Living Now.

Alan Watts Quotes (12) - No Valid Plans For The Future Can Be Mad... - Quotes

Saints Need Sinners.

Alan Watts Quotes (14) - Saints Need Sinners.... - QuotesSaints Need Sinners.

Alan Watts Quotes (14) - Saints Need Sinners.... - Quotes

Trying To Define Yourself Is Like Trying To Bite Your Own Teeth.

Alan Watts Quotes (13) - Trying To Define Yourself Is Like Trying... - QuotesTrying To Define Yourself Is Like Trying To Bite Your Own Teeth.

Alan Watts Quotes (13) - Trying To Define Yourself Is Like Trying... - Quotes

Some Believe All That Parents, Tutors, And Kindred Believe. They Take Their Principles By Inheritance, And Defend Them As They Would Their Estates, Because They Are Born Heirs To Them.

Alan Watts Quotes (15) - Some Believe All That Parents, Tutors, A... - QuotesSome Believe All That Parents, Tutors, And Kindred Believe. They Take Their Principles By Inheritance, And Defend Them As They Would Their Estates, Because They Are Born Heirs To Them.

Alan Watts Quotes (15) - Some Believe All That Parents, Tutors, A... - Quotes

Zen Does Not Confuse Spirituality With Thinking About God While One Is Peeling Potatoes. Zen Spirituality Is Just To Peel The Potatoes.

Alan Watts Quotes (17) - Zen Does Not Confuse Spirituality With T... - QuotesZen Does Not Confuse Spirituality With Thinking About God While One Is Peeling Potatoes. Zen Spirituality Is Just To Peel The Potatoes.

Alan Watts Quotes (17) - Zen Does Not Confuse Spirituality With T... - Quotes

I Owe My Solitude To Other People.

Alan Watts Quotes (16) - I Owe My Solitude To Other People.... - QuotesI Owe My Solitude To Other People.

Alan Watts Quotes (16) - I Owe My Solitude To Other People.... - Quotes

Wars Based On Principle Are Far More Destructive... The Attacker Will Not Destroy That Which He Is After.

Alan Watts Quotes (18) - Wars Based On Principle Are Far More Des... - QuotesWars Based On Principle Are Far More Destructive... The Attacker Will Not Destroy That Which He Is After.

Alan Watts Quotes (18) - Wars Based On Principle Are Far More Des... - Quotes

A Myth Is An Image In Terms Of Which We Try To Make Sense Of The World.

Alan Watts Quotes (19) - A Myth Is An Image In Terms Of Which We ... - QuotesA Myth Is An Image In Terms Of Which We Try To Make Sense Of The World.

Alan Watts Quotes (19) - A Myth Is An Image In Terms Of Which We ... - Quotes

The Only Way To Make Sense Out Of Change Is To Plunge Into It, Move With It, And Join The Dance.

Alan Watts Quotes (2) - The Only Way To Make Sense Out Of Change ... - QuotesThe Only Way To Make Sense Out Of Change Is To Plunge Into It, Move With It, And Join The Dance.

Alan Watts Quotes (2) - The Only Way To Make Sense Out Of Change ... - Quotes

But The Attitude Of Faith Is To Let Go, And Become Open To Truth, Whatever It Might Turn Out To Be.

Alan Watts Quotes (21) - But The Attitude Of Faith Is To Let Go, ... - QuotesBut The Attitude Of Faith Is To Let Go, And Become Open To Truth, Whatever It Might Turn Out To Be.

Alan Watts Quotes (21) - But The Attitude Of Faith Is To Let Go, ... - Quotes

But At Any Rate, The Point Is That God Is What Nobody Admits To Being, And Everybody Really Is.

Alan Watts Quotes (20) - But At Any Rate, The Point Is That God I... - QuotesBut At Any Rate, The Point Is That God Is What Nobody Admits To Being, And Everybody Really Is.

Alan Watts Quotes (20) - But At Any Rate, The Point Is That God I... - Quotes

Faith Is A State Of Openness Or Trust.

Alan Watts Quotes (22) - Faith Is A State Of Openness Or Trust.... - QuotesFaith Is A State Of Openness Or Trust.

Alan Watts Quotes (22) - Faith Is A State Of Openness Or Trust.... - Quotes

In Known History, Nobody Has Had Such Capacity For Altering The Universe Than The People Of The United States Of America. And Nobody Has Gone About It In Such An Aggressive Way.

Alan Watts Quotes (23) - In Known History, Nobody Has Had Such Ca... - QuotesIn Known History, Nobody Has Had Such Capacity For Altering The Universe Than The People Of The United States Of America. And Nobody Has Gone About It In Such An Aggressive Way.

Alan Watts Quotes (23) - In Known History, Nobody Has Had Such Ca... - Quotes

Religion Is Not A Department Of Life; It Is Something That Enters Into The Whole Of It.

Alan Watts Quotes (25) - Religion Is Not A Department Of Life; It... - QuotesReligion Is Not A Department Of Life; It Is Something That Enters Into The Whole Of It.

Alan Watts Quotes (25) - Religion Is Not A Department Of Life; It... - Quotes

In Other Words, A Person Who Is Fanatic In Matters Of Religion, And Clings To Certain Ideas About The Nature Of God And The Universe, Becomes A Person Who Has No Faith At All.

Alan Watts Quotes (24) - In Other Words, A Person Who Is Fanatic ... - QuotesIn Other Words, A Person Who Is Fanatic In Matters Of Religion, And Clings To Certain Ideas About The Nature Of God And The Universe, Becomes A Person Who Has No Faith At All.

Alan Watts Quotes (24) - In Other Words, A Person Who Is Fanatic ... - Quotes

So Then, The Relationship Of Self To Other Is The Complete Realization That Loving Yourself Is Impossible Without Loving Everything Defined As Other Than Yourself.

Alan Watts Quotes (26) - So Then, The Relationship Of Self To Oth... - QuotesSo Then, The Relationship Of Self To Other Is The Complete Realization That Loving Yourself Is Impossible Without Loving Everything Defined As Other Than Yourself.

Alan Watts Quotes (26) - So Then, The Relationship Of Self To Oth... - Quotes

The Difficulty For Most Of Us In The Modern World Is That The Old-fashioned Idea Of God Has Become Incredible Or Implausible.

Alan Watts Quotes (28) - The Difficulty For Most Of Us In The Mod... - QuotesThe Difficulty For Most Of Us In The Modern World Is That The Old-fashioned Idea Of God Has Become Incredible Or Implausible.

Alan Watts Quotes (28) - The Difficulty For Most Of Us In The Mod... - Quotes

So What Is Discord At One Level Of Your Being Is Harmony At Another Level.

Alan Watts Quotes (27) - So What Is Discord At One Level Of Your ... - QuotesSo What Is Discord At One Level Of Your Being Is Harmony At Another Level.

Alan Watts Quotes (27) - So What Is Discord At One Level Of Your ... - Quotes

The Moralist Is The Person Who Tells People That They Ought To Be Unselfish, When They Still Feel Like Egos, And His Efforts Are Always And Invariably Futile.

Alan Watts Quotes (29) - The Moralist Is The Person Who Tells Peo... - QuotesThe Moralist Is The Person Who Tells People That They Ought To Be Unselfish, When They Still Feel Like Egos, And His Efforts Are Always And Invariably Futile.

Alan Watts Quotes (29) - The Moralist Is The Person Who Tells Peo... - Quotes

The Myths Underlying Our Culture And Underlying Our Common Sense Have Not Taught Us To Feel Identical With The Universe, But Only Parts Of It, Only In It, Only Confronting It - Aliens.

Alan Watts Quotes (30) - The Myths Underlying Our Culture And Und... - QuotesThe Myths Underlying Our Culture And Underlying Our Common Sense Have Not Taught Us To Feel Identical With The Universe, But Only Parts Of It, Only In It, Only Confronting It - Aliens.

Alan Watts Quotes (30) - The Myths Underlying Our Culture And Und... - Quotes

But I'll Tell You What Hermits Realize. If You Go Off Into A Far, Far Forest And Get Very Quiet, You'll Come To Understand That You're Connected With Everything.

Alan Watts Quotes (3) - But I'll Tell You What Hermits Realize. I... - QuotesBut I'll Tell You What Hermits Realize. If You Go Off Into A Far, Far Forest And Get Very Quiet, You'll Come To Understand That You're Connected With Everything.

Alan Watts Quotes (3) - But I'll Tell You What Hermits Realize. I... - Quotes

The Style Of God Venerated In The Church, Mosque, Or Synagogue Seems Completely Different From The Style Of The Natural Universe.

Alan Watts Quotes (31) - The Style Of God Venerated In The Church... - QuotesThe Style Of God Venerated In The Church, Mosque, Or Synagogue Seems Completely Different From The Style Of The Natural Universe.

Alan Watts Quotes (31) - The Style Of God Venerated In The Church... - Quotes

What The Devil Is The Point Of Surviving, Going On Living, When It's A Drag? But You See, That's What People Do.

Alan Watts Quotes (33) - What The Devil Is The Point Of Surviving... - QuotesWhat The Devil Is The Point Of Surviving, Going On Living, When It's A Drag? But You See, That's What People Do.

Alan Watts Quotes (33) - What The Devil Is The Point Of Surviving... - Quotes

We Identify In Our Exerience A Differentiation Between What We Do And What Happens To Us.

Alan Watts Quotes (32) - We Identify In Our Exerience A Different... - QuotesWe Identify In Our Exerience A Differentiation Between What We Do And What Happens To Us.

Alan Watts Quotes (32) - We Identify In Our Exerience A Different... - Quotes

The Reason We Want To Go On And On Is Because We Live In An Impoverished Present.

Alan Watts Quotes (34) - The Reason We Want To Go On And On Is Be... - QuotesThe Reason We Want To Go On And On Is Because We Live In An Impoverished Present.

Alan Watts Quotes (34) - The Reason We Want To Go On And On Is Be... - Quotes

Things Are As They Are. Looking Out Into It The Universe At Night, We Make No Comparisons Between Right And Wrong Stars, Nor Between Well And Badly Arranged Constellations.

Alan Watts Quotes (35) - Things Are As They Are. Looking Out Into... - QuotesThings Are As They Are. Looking Out Into It The Universe At Night, We Make No Comparisons Between Right And Wrong Stars, Nor Between Well And Badly Arranged Constellations.

Alan Watts Quotes (35) - Things Are As They Are. Looking Out Into... - Quotes

How Is It Possible That A Being With Such Sensitive Jewels As The Eyes, Such Enchanted Musical Instruments As The Ears, And Such Fabulous Arabesque Of Nerves As The Brain Can Experience Itself Anything Less Than A God.

Alan Watts Quotes (36) - How Is It Possible That A Being With Suc... - QuotesHow Is It Possible That A Being With Such Sensitive Jewels As The Eyes, Such Enchanted Musical Instruments As The Ears, And Such Fabulous Arabesque Of Nerves As The Brain Can Experience Itself Anything Less Than A God.

Alan Watts Quotes (36) - How Is It Possible That A Being With Suc... - Quotes

And Although Our Bodies Are Bounded With Skin, And We Can Differentiate Between Outside And Inside, They Cannot Exist Except In A Certain Kind Of Natural Environment.

Alan Watts Quotes (37) - And Although Our Bodies Are Bounded With... - QuotesAnd Although Our Bodies Are Bounded With Skin, And We Can Differentiate Between Outside And Inside, They Cannot Exist Except In A Certain Kind Of Natural Environment.

Alan Watts Quotes (37) - And Although Our Bodies Are Bounded With... - Quotes

Buddhism Has In It No Idea Of There Being A Moral Law Laid Down By Somekind Of Cosmic Lawgiver.

Alan Watts Quotes (39) - Buddhism Has In It No Idea Of There Bein... - QuotesBuddhism Has In It No Idea Of There Being A Moral Law Laid Down By Somekind Of Cosmic Lawgiver.

Alan Watts Quotes (39) - Buddhism Has In It No Idea Of There Bein... - Quotes

And The Attitude Of Faith Is The Very Opposite Of Clinging To Belief, Of Holding On.

Alan Watts Quotes (38) - And The Attitude Of Faith Is The Very Op... - QuotesAnd The Attitude Of Faith Is The Very Opposite Of Clinging To Belief, Of Holding On.

Alan Watts Quotes (38) - And The Attitude Of Faith Is The Very Op... - Quotes

You And I Are All As Much Continuous With The Physical Universe As A Wave Is Continuous With The Ocean.

Alan Watts Quotes (4) - You And I Are All As Much Continuous With... - QuotesYou And I Are All As Much Continuous With The Physical Universe As A Wave Is Continuous With The Ocean.

Alan Watts Quotes (4) - You And I Are All As Much Continuous With... - Quotes

Omnipotence Is Not Knowing How Everything Is Done; It's Just Doing It.

Alan Watts Quotes (41) - Omnipotence Is Not Knowing How Everythin... - QuotesOmnipotence Is Not Knowing How Everything Is Done; It's Just Doing It.

Alan Watts Quotes (41) - Omnipotence Is Not Knowing How Everythin... - Quotes

But We Try To Pretend, You See, That The External World Exists Altogether Independently Of Us.

Alan Watts Quotes (40) - But We Try To Pretend, You See, That The... - QuotesBut We Try To Pretend, You See, That The External World Exists Altogether Independently Of Us.

Alan Watts Quotes (40) - But We Try To Pretend, You See, That The... - Quotes

The Ego Is Nothing Other Than The Focus Of Conscious Attention.

Alan Watts Quotes (42) - The Ego Is Nothing Other Than The Focus ... - QuotesThe Ego Is Nothing Other Than The Focus Of Conscious Attention.

Alan Watts Quotes (42) - The Ego Is Nothing Other Than The Focus ... - Quotes

The Religious Idea Of God Cannot Do Full Duty For The Metaphysical Infinity.

Alan Watts Quotes (44) - The Religious Idea Of God Cannot Do Full... - QuotesThe Religious Idea Of God Cannot Do Full Duty For The Metaphysical Infinity.

Alan Watts Quotes (44) - The Religious Idea Of God Cannot Do Full... - Quotes

Technology Is Destructive Only In The Hands Of People Who Do Not Realize That They Are One And The Same Process As The Universe.

Alan Watts Quotes (43) - Technology Is Destructive Only In The Ha... - QuotesTechnology Is Destructive Only In The Hands Of People Who Do Not Realize That They Are One And The Same Process As The Universe.

Alan Watts Quotes (43) - Technology Is Destructive Only In The Ha... - Quotes

Never Pretend To A Love Which You Do Not Actually Feel, For Love Is Not Ours To Command.

Alan Watts Quotes (45) - Never Pretend To A Love Which You Do Not... - QuotesNever Pretend To A Love Which You Do Not Actually Feel, For Love Is Not Ours To Command.

Alan Watts Quotes (45) - Never Pretend To A Love Which You Do Not... - Quotes

If You Study The Writings Of The Mystics, You Will Always Find Things In Them That Appear To Be Paradoxes, As In Zen, Particularly.

Alan Watts Quotes (47) - If You Study The Writings Of The Mystics... - QuotesIf You Study The Writings Of The Mystics, You Will Always Find Things In Them That Appear To Be Paradoxes, As In Zen, Particularly.

Alan Watts Quotes (47) - If You Study The Writings Of The Mystics... - Quotes

But To Me Nothing - The Negative, The Empty - Is Exceedingly Powerful.

Alan Watts Quotes (46) - But To Me Nothing - The Negative, The Em... - QuotesBut To Me Nothing - The Negative, The Empty - Is Exceedingly Powerful.

Alan Watts Quotes (46) - But To Me Nothing - The Negative, The Em... - Quotes

So The Bodhisattva Saves All Beings, Not By Preaching Sermons To Them, But By Showing Them That They Are Delivered, They Are Liberated, By The Act Of Not Being Able To Stop Changing.

Alan Watts Quotes (48) - So The Bodhisattva Saves All Beings, Not... - QuotesSo The Bodhisattva Saves All Beings, Not By Preaching Sermons To Them, But By Showing Them That They Are Delivered, They Are Liberated, By The Act Of Not Being Able To Stop Changing.

Alan Watts Quotes (48) - So The Bodhisattva Saves All Beings, Not... - Quotes

Reality Is Only A Rorschach Ink-blot, You Know.

Alan Watts Quotes (6) - Reality Is Only A Rorschach Ink-blot, You... - QuotesReality Is Only A Rorschach Ink-blot, You Know.

Alan Watts Quotes (6) - Reality Is Only A Rorschach Ink-blot, You... - Quotes

You Don't Look Out There For God, Something In The Sky, You Look In You.

Alan Watts Quotes (5) - You Don't Look Out There For God, Somethi... - QuotesYou Don't Look Out There For God, Something In The Sky, You Look In You.

Alan Watts Quotes (5) - You Don't Look Out There For God, Somethi... - Quotes

You Are That Vast Thing That You See Far, Far Off With Great Telescopes.

Alan Watts Quotes (7) - You Are That Vast Thing That You See Far,... - QuotesYou Are That Vast Thing That You See Far, Far Off With Great Telescopes.

Alan Watts Quotes (7) - You Are That Vast Thing That You See Far,... - Quotes

No Work Or Love Will Flourish Out Of Guilt, Fear, Or Hollowness Of Heart, Just As No Valid Plans For The Future Can Be Made By Those Who Have No Capacity For Living Now.

Alan Watts Quotes (9) - No Work Or Love Will Flourish Out Of Guil... - QuotesNo Work Or Love Will Flourish Out Of Guilt, Fear, Or Hollowness Of Heart, Just As No Valid Plans For The Future Can Be Made By Those Who Have No Capacity For Living Now.

Alan Watts Quotes (9) - No Work Or Love Will Flourish Out Of Guil... - Quotes

We Cannot Be More Sensitive To Pleasure Without Being More Sensitive To Pain.

Alan Watts Quotes (8) - We Cannot Be More Sensitive To Pleasure W... - QuotesWe Cannot Be More Sensitive To Pleasure Without Being More Sensitive To Pain.

Alan Watts Quotes (8) - We Cannot Be More Sensitive To Pleasure W... - Quotes