Alan Watts

Alan Watts

Alan Wilson Watts

1915-1973 • British-American

ZenTaoismPerennial Philosophy

British philosopher who interpreted Eastern philosophy for Western audiences. His lectures and books made Zen accessible to millions.

Key Works

  • The Way of Zen
  • The Book
  • Lectures
  • Out of Your Mind
112

quotes in library

Quotes by Alan Watts

112 quotes
There is the love of life that throws itself wide open to every experience.
opennessThe Wisdom of Insecurity
The more a thing tends to be permanent, the more it tends to be lifeless.
impermanenceThe Wisdom of Insecurity
The future is a concept — it doesn't exist. There is no such thing as tomorrow. There never will be, because time is always now.
nowOut of Your Mind
Memory never captures the essence, the present intensity, the concrete reality of an experience.
presenceThe Wisdom of Insecurity
This is it.
presenceThis Is It
There is nothing to be afraid of.
fearlessnessOut of Your Mind
You are not separate from the totality. There is no totality without you.
unityThe Book
The universe is a play, and we are the players.
playOut of Your Mind
Life is not a problem to be solved. It is a mystery to be lived.
mysteryThe Wisdom of Insecurity
The deepest knowledge is wonder.
wonderThe Book
To know reality is to remember it from within.
interiorityThe Book
The whole universe is your body — yours.
unityOut of Your Mind
There is no rush. There is nowhere else to go.
presenceTao: The Watercourse Way
To dance is to be aware that the universe dances with you.
unityOut of Your Mind
Things are as they are. There is no defect.
perfectionThe Way of Zen
The more we try to control, the more life eludes us.
controlTao: The Watercourse Way
The Tao does nothing, yet leaves nothing undone.
wu-weiTao: The Watercourse Way
To find balance, dance with chaos.
balanceTao: The Watercourse Way
In our time we have learned to dread silence.
silenceThe Wisdom of Insecurity
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