Meditating With Alan Watts

Philosopher Alan Watts has a distinctive approach to meditation, cutting to the core of what meditation is all about. Watts emphasises that meditation is not about self-improvement or achieving a goal, but simply about experiencing the present moment. This is a challenge for many, as it involves quieting the constant chatter of the mind and experiencing the world without the filter of symbolic language. According to Watts, meditation is about discovering our basic inseparability from the whole universe, and to do this, we must learn to shut up.

Watts suggests that meditation is not something to do or focus on, but rather, it is about observing the present moment without judgment. This involves noticing the sounds around you and your breath, without trying to control or identify them. By approaching meditation in this way, it becomes a being experience rather than a doing task.

Meditation is about experiencing the present moment

The goal of meditation is to be within the here and now. To achieve this, one must rid themselves of symbolic language and the hang-ups of time. It is about experiencing the immediacy of the present moment. Once this fundamental point is grasped, meditation can be practised anywhere and in any way one sees fit.

Alan Watts recommends beginning meditation by simply listening. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you, without trying to identify or name them. Allow the sounds to play with your eardrums, like music. This is a way of quieting the constant chatter of the mind.

The same approach can be applied to the breath. Notice that your body has been breathing naturally, without any effort, while you were listening to the sounds. See if you can start breathing more deeply, without forcing it.

The key insight is that noises and breathing happen naturally, and so do your thoughts. Allow your thoughts to come and go like the sounds outside your window, without trying to control or judge them. Observe them and let them go.

Meditation is not something to "do" or focus on. It is about experiencing the present moment without judgment. It is a "being" experience, rather than a "doing" task.

Avoid commercialisation and keep it simple

The core of Alan Watts' teachings on meditation is to avoid commercialisation and keep the practice simple. Watts emphasises that meditation is not about achieving a future goal or improving oneself but is instead about experiencing the present moment. He cautions against the commodification of meditation, which can reduce it to self-improvement "drivel" and "nonsense".

Watts' philosophy is that meditation is about discovering the point of life in the immediate moment. He believes that if one meditates with an ulterior motive, such as enhancing one's mind, character, or efficiency, one is not truly meditating as one's focus is on the future. Instead, meditation is about being in the here and now, divorcing oneself from symbolic language and the hang-ups of time to fully experience the present. This is a simple concept, but it is complicated by our minds, which constantly chatter and attempt to impose logic and reason.

Watts suggests that meditation is a way to connect with reality and our basic inseparability from the universe. To do this, we must learn to be internally silent and cease the endless mental chatter. He acknowledges that this is challenging as most people think compulsively. However, he recommends a simple approach to meditation: sitting in a way that keeps your back erect, centering yourself, and feeling rooted to the ground. This can be done anywhere and in any posture that suits the individual.

Watts also offers a guided meditation technique, suggesting that one closes their eyes and listens to the sounds around them without trying to identify or judge them. Similarly, one should observe their breath without controlling it and allow it to deepen naturally. This approach to meditation is not about "doing" or focusing but about experiencing the present moment without judgment. By letting go of control and simply observing, one can achieve a deeper meditative state.

Meditation is not about self-improvement

Philosopher Alan Watts had a unique take on meditation and self-improvement. According to Watts, meditation is not about self-improvement; it is about experiencing the present moment and discovering the point of life, which is always found in the immediate moment. He believed that if one meditates with an ulterior motive, such as improving one's mind or character, they are not truly meditating as their focus is on the future.

Watts viewed self-improvement as a hoax because the self that needs improvement is the same self that is attempting to bring about that improvement. He argued that as long as one views the self as a closed system, improvement is impossible. To truly improve, one must look beyond themselves and recognise that they are part of a larger system, influenced by their surroundings, the people they interact with, the content they consume, and their work.

Watts likened self-improvement to a dog chasing its tail. He questioned how one can improve when they do not truly know what needs to be improved. He observed that followers of self-improvement movements often do not benefit, while the originators of these movements do. Watts believed that the self-improvement industry, with its focus on ulterior motives and future goals, distracts from the true purpose of meditation, which is to be fully present in the now.

Watts suggested that instead of striving for self-improvement, one should focus on self-awareness and self-knowledge. By increasing their understanding of their internal processes and actions, individuals can learn to respond better to their environment and live a more fulfilling life. This shift in perspective, from seeking improvement to cultivating awareness, is key to Watts' philosophy on meditation and self-development.

In conclusion, Alan Watts' perspective on meditation and self-improvement challenges conventional notions. By emphasising the importance of being present and aware, Watts offers a path to personal growth that is not driven by ulterior motives or future goals. His teachings encourage individuals to embrace the present moment and recognise their interconnectedness with the world around them, ultimately leading to a more authentic and fulfilling existence.

Stop thinking about thinking

The concept of meditation, as explained by Alan Watts, is often misconstrued. Watts' philosophy on meditation is simple: it is about experiencing the present moment by focusing on the now. However, this straightforward idea is complicated by our minds, which won't stop chattering and labelling experiences.

Meditation is not about focusing on your breath or repeating a mantra, as is commonly taught. Instead, it is about simply listening to the sounds around you without trying to identify or judge them. It is about observing your thoughts without trying to control or attach to them.

Step 1: Listen

Close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you. Listen to the general hum and buzz of the world, just as you would listen to music. Don't try to identify or name the sounds. Allow the sounds to play with your eardrums without judgement.

Step 2: Observe Your Breath

While you are listening to the sounds, observe your breath. Notice that your body has been breathing naturally, without any effort or task. See if you can start breathing more deeply, without forcing it.

Step 3: Observe Your Thoughts

Now, apply the same approach to your thoughts. Thoughts will enter your mind, just like the sounds outside your window. Don't try to control or judge your thoughts. Simply observe them and let them go.

Step 4: Experience the Present Moment

Over time, the outside world and your inner world will come together. You will find yourself experiencing the present moment without thinking about it. You will be in a state of just "being" rather than "doing".

Remember, meditation is not something to "do" or focus on. It is about experiencing the present moment without judgement. It is about discovering your basic inseparability from the whole universe, which requires you to “shut up” and cease the constant chatter in your mind.

So, the next time you meditate, keep it simple. Just listen, observe, and experience the present moment without thinking about it.

Meditation is about being, not doing

Meditation is often misunderstood as an activity that requires intense focus and a rigorous mindset. However, Alan Watts, a renowned philosopher and Zen enthusiast, offers a different perspective. According to Watts, meditation is not about "doing" or focusing on a task; it is about ""being" and experiencing the present moment without judgment.

Watts emphasizes that the point of meditation is to discover the true meaning of life, which can only be found in the immediate moment. He argues that if one meditates with an ulterior motive, such as self-improvement or increased efficiency, they are not truly meditating. Instead, meditation is about divorcing oneself from symbolic language and the hang-ups of time, fully immersing oneself in the present.

So, how does one achieve this state of "being" during meditation? Watts suggests a simple trick: start by listening. Close your eyes and pay attention to the sounds around you. Listen to the hum and buzz of the world, just as you would listen to music. Don't try to identify or label the sounds; simply let them play like music to your ears.

As you do this, you will likely find yourself naturally labelling and judging the sounds. That's okay and completely normal. Over time, you'll start to experience the sounds differently. They will become part of the general noise, and you'll realize that you have no control over them. This realization is crucial because it helps you understand that your breathing and thoughts are also things that happen naturally, without you having to "do" anything.

When you approach meditation with this mindset, it becomes a transformative experience. It's no longer a chore or a task; it's an opportunity to connect with the present moment and observe your thoughts without judgment. This shift from "doing" to "being" is what meditation is truly about, according to Watts.

By following Watts' guidance, you can demystify the experience of meditation and make it more accessible and enjoyable. So, the next time you meditate, remember: it's not about focusing or controlling your breath or thoughts. It's about observing and experiencing the present moment, just as it is.

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