Alan Watts

Interpreter of Eastern philosophies.

A British writer and speaker known for his interpretations of Eastern philosophy for Western audiences. His works on topics such as Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and the nature of reality have introduced many to Eastern thought. Watts explored the interconnectedness of life and the nature of consciousness, often using humor and accessible language to make complex spiritual concepts relatable. His insights into the nature of existence and the self continue to inspire and inform contemporary spirituality.

Alan Watts Quotes about Desire

Buddha's doctrine: Man suffers because of his craving to possess and keep forever things which are essentially impermanent...this frustration of the desire to possess is the immediate cause of suffering.
Alan Watts
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To put it still more plainly: the desire for security and the feeling of insecurity are the same thing. To hold your breath is to lose your breath. A society based on the quest for security is nothing but a breath-retention contest in which everyone is as taut as a drum and as purple as a beet.
Alan Watts
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It's so important to consider this question: What do I desire?
Alan Watts
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We are at war between consciousness and nature, between the desire for permanence and the fact of flux. It is ourself against ourselves.
Alan Watts
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The materialism of modern civilization is paradoxically founded on a hatred of materiality, a goal-oriented desire to obliterate all natural limits through technology, imposing an abstract grid over nature.
Alan Watts
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