Alan Watts was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker who was known for his interpretations of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. He was born in 1915 in Chislehurst, England, and studied theology and comparative religion at King’s College, University of London.

Watts became interested in Eastern philosophy while studying at King’s College, and went on to study Zen Buddhism in Asia. He was ordained as a Zen priest in 1956, and began writing and speaking about Eastern philosophy and spirituality.

Watts became well-known for his writings and lectures on Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and other Eastern philosophical traditions. He was a popular speaker and radio host, and his books and lectures helped to introduce Eastern philosophy to a Western audience.

Watts died in 1973, but his work has continued to be influential and has inspired many people around the world. His writing and lectures have been translated into numerous languages and are still widely read and studied today.

Here are 20 motivational quotes from Alan Watts:

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”

“We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.”

Related: Top 25 Alan Watts Quotes that Will Give You Goosebumps!

“The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.”

“The more we try to live up to an ideal, the more we are going to feel that we are failing.”

“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”

“We do not ‘come into’ this world; we come out of it, as leaves from a tree.”

“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”

“The art of living… is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful clinging to the past on the other. It consists in being sensitive to each moment, in regarding it as utterly new and unique, in having the mind open and wholly receptive.”

“You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing.”

“The only way to live is to accept each moment as an unrepeatable miracle.”

“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.”

“Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.”

“Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.”

“We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.”

“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

“No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.”

“The only thing that ultimately matters is to eat an ice cream cone, play a slide trombone, plant a small tree, good God, now you’re free.”

Alan Watts’ wisdom and insights continue to inspire people around the world, long after his passing. His unique perspective on life, the universe, and everything in between has encouraged countless individuals to question their assumptions, challenge their beliefs, and live more fully in the present moment. Through his teachings, Watts reminds us that we are all interconnected and that our existence is a part of something much greater than ourselves. As we navigate our own journeys through life, we can find comfort and guidance in the many motivational quotes left behind by this great philosopher, and be reminded that true happiness comes from embracing the here and now, rather than striving for some imagined future.

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list and receive many more inspiring posts like this via email. Simply enter your name and email address below to get started. It’s free, so why not!

Sources:

https://www.artmajeur.com/fabrizio-cassetta-lautir/es/artworks/15832486/alan-watts-watercolor-portrait-4

https://www.azquotes.com/quote/308424

Join our social media community for motivational content and tips and tricks on how to achieve your goals and follow your dreams!

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

If you know someone who could use this article, share it with them!! 

Let us know in the comments what you would like to see next and for more powerful motivational articles, check out our Motiversity Blog!