Zen
by Alan Watts · first published 1948
28% recommend61% neutral11% critical
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…explanation. There can always be questions and doubts. But fixing basic lifestyle will be beneficial. There's no way you're going to end up worse by fixing these. I found it to be very beneficial to read Zen texts and koans and listen to Alan Watts to stop the destructive thought loops and realize their absurdity. But surely, sometimes all it takes is not conceptual intellectual advice, just a hug, a gentle…
on “Mental Wealth” ↗…write is to whet your appetite and maybe spark an interest for a personal journey. I strongly advise and even recommend a proper introduction. I suggest D T Suzuki and Alan Watts for their introduction to Zen. Amazing vulgarisers of these concepts. Watts' lectures are available on YouTube. In the Buddhist philosophy the notion that you can control anything other than yourself is considered absurd. Even conceding…
on “Ask HN: What's the most life-changing blog post you've ever read?” ↗I didn't mean to recommend Alan Watts in general, though I generally like him. I just think Zen can be a bit hard to get into without some introduction and I consider Watts' decent.
on “How Worrying Can Actually Make You Sick” ↗As a recommendation, I found Alan Watts' "You're It" much easier to digest and come back to multiple times. It really can be considered as a Zen way of thinking, whether you are religious, spiritual, or atheistic. Alan Watts also tends to leave judgment aside, which is helpful when coming at his works with different (or no) specific beliefs.
on “Ask HN: Do you recall any book or course that made a topic finally click?” ↗…philosophy in each episode and includes a lot of interesting perspectives. Alan Watts produced a lot of entertaining discussion that bridges the differences between Eastern and Western philosophies, primarily Zen, Dao, and Advaita Vedanta.
on “How have you found purpose in your life?” ↗I think this is all abysmal, dangerous advice. The author says to 'become a robot' and you're saying to 'lie to yourself'. It's all very anti-Zen. I think Alan Watts would say it leads to double-binds and discordant psychological feedback loops that will cause you suffering. Your brain isn't a separate part of you. And you should simply be mindful…
on “The Art of Not Thinking” ↗Alan Watts is regularly given as the prototypical example of 'beat zen' which is recognized as a debased form of Zen. This is discussed in the book I reference above by Wong Kiew Kit. This is not my opinion per se. It is the opinion of many Zen masters. Just look at the…
on “Zen Buddhism and Alan Watts” ↗Inevitable Alan Watts quote: "Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling the potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes."
on “Gaston Bachelard on the Meditative Magic of Housework” ↗…[non-lucid] dream. As about meditating while sleeping - I have not explored this part enough. Renowned Dzogchen teachers Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche have books on this subject. A Zen teacher quoted by Alan Watts also said "when you are hungry - eat, when you are tired - sleep" and explained that ordinary people don't actually follow this as they think about countless things while…
on “My mindfulness practice led me to meltdown” ↗…and patient friends who helped me work on this during my good days. Kayaking is still unobtainable, but now I am able to turn to, e.g., "Katamari on the Rocks"[0] for music, and Alan Watts as well. The Zen Habits reminder to breathe [1] is a permanently open tab in my "distractions" group. As the quote from Infinite Jest says[2], the flames become terrifying. I can only speak for my own terror, but the…
on “Some Practical Thoughts on Suicide” ↗Yes, Alan Watts comes to mind in the context of Zen and dish washing :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx4fUpalvTU
on “A Beginner´s Guide to Getting Things Done” ↗> Zen and Buddhism in general is full of people like Alan Watts and Trungpa. Both were highly intelligent, inspiring writers, and alcoholics who presented themselves as masters. Pretty sure you're wrong about…
on “Researchers giving psilocybin to religious leaders (2017)” ↗…America by car. When my software money ran out, I got a job driving The Deuce on the Las Vegas Strip, which I did for a year before eventually returning to software. The Alan Watts quote is accurate. Zen Philosopher Alan Watts Imagine if you were a bus driver, a bus driver is ordinarily considered an absolutely harassed person. He’s got to watch out for the laws, the competing traffic, the cops, people…
on “Waymo sues state DMV to keep robotaxi safety details secret” ↗There are a ton of these on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wavZC3wZOm8 Align the "punchlines" to the beat changes, and you've got yourself a solid mix. Alan Watts - Zen (Chillstep mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtmtxYxezao
on “Show HN: MindPop – Great Lectures Set to Ambient” ↗…there's not many good non-academic introductions to Daoism out there, and the most popular translation - Stephen Mitchell's - was done by someone who can't even read Classical Chinese, but thought his Zen teaching was a 'good enough' guide to allow him to translate it. ----------- All this is to say I'm glad the book worked for you, and helped you find peace. It's just not Daoism (nor is Alan Watts!)
on “How scientists are bringing advanced meditation out of the monastery” ↗