Donate to Remove ads

Got a credit card? use our Credit Card & Finance Calculators

Thanks to johnstevens77,Bhoddhisatva,scotia,Anonymous,Cornytiv34, for Donating to support the site

Something good to watch for ten minutes

A friendly ear
redsturgeon
Lemon Half
Posts: 8910
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 9:06 am
Has thanked: 1309 times
Been thanked: 3665 times

Something good to watch for ten minutes

#501898

Postby redsturgeon » May 21st, 2022, 10:48 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYSQ1NF1hvw

It's a short reflection on the meaning of life by Alan Watts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts

He recorded many short talks in the 1960s and 70s some of which can be found on various Youtube channel such as the one linked to.

His talks on various topics always give me pause for reflection and I like this one for both his content and the playful way it is illustrated.

I hope others find his musings useful too.

John

ReformedCharacter
Lemon Quarter
Posts: 3120
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 11:12 am
Has thanked: 3590 times
Been thanked: 1509 times

Re: Something good to watch for ten minutes

#501911

Postby ReformedCharacter » May 21st, 2022, 11:27 am

redsturgeon wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYSQ1NF1hvw

It's a short reflection on the meaning of life by Alan Watts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts

He recorded many short talks in the 1960s and 70s some of which can be found on various Youtube channel such as the one linked to.

His talks on various topics always give me pause for reflection and I like this one for both his content and the playful way it is illustrated.

I hope others find his musings useful too.

John

AW did a great deal to bring an understanding of Zen to the West. I've read some of his books and found some of his recorded lectures on Youtube. Unfortunately, towards the end of his life he succumbed to alcoholism and it is said that he gave his talks accompanied by 'a pitcher of wine'. Some of his talks give the impression of arrogance which I find off-putting. Nonetheless, he had a great mind and did a great deal to enlighten others.

Shunryu Suzuki, author of 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind' and who also introduced Soto Zen to a Western audience is quoted, in the linked Wiki entry, as saying, when a student of Suzuki's disparaged Watts "we used to think he was profound until we found the real thing", Suzuki fumed with a sudden intensity, saying, "You completely miss the point about Alan Watts! You should notice what he has done. He is a great bodhisattva".

'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind' is a great book for those interested in the Zen spiritual tradition. As are the books and recordings of Alan Watts.

RC


Return to “Comfort Cafe”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests