Alan Watts: Zen Reconsidered – Being in the Way Podcast Ep. 33

Re-familiarizing us with Zen traditions, Alan Watts inspires listeners to move beyond going through the motions of practice.

In this episode of Being in the Way, Alan Watts explains:
Our lack of awareness of the basic structure of the world
The world itself as meaningless (non-symbolic)
Realizing fundamental energy and Zen as the religion of no religion
The metaphysical in terms of the everyday
The composition of Zen practice
How westerners are bothered by ritual and splendor
How Buddhism has degenerated over the years
A re-familiarization with Buddhism for modernity

“There is this tremendous problem, unless the Buddhist tradition is to go down the drain completely, of re-familiarizing the Japanese with what it’s all about. Over the years it has degenerated into going through the motions and into being something which is just a kind of magic.” – Alan Watts

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Alan Watts: Zen Reconsidered – Being in the Way Podcast Ep. 33

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[DavidRogers-ih]

Yes Mark! Thank you for addressing the AI stuff. Absolutely recognizable every time. Your Dad is so unique. He, many times, has reached through time and space and connected with me, saying words of signs that im looking at. Or saying what I'm doing. He is very much still here. Thank you for continuing to give us stuff from him.

[drm]

Thank you Mark! Humanity is so blessed to have all these Real recordings from your father. Such a wonderful speaker. I could just sit and listen to him for hours and it never gets old.

[cathyharris-cztu]

Hate Al. LOVE ur father's lectures. I been listening to them since end of 80s. Thanks

[robweeden]

Appreciate the work in putting the genuine stuff out. Good man

[marksweet]

The AI stuff is highly annoying. It has no soul. Thanks so much for providing the priceless lectures. We are blessed to have them.

[Chealey]

Thank you for commenting on the AI Alan Watts stuff out there that rings offbeat and for providing your perspective as well as context. I think it’s especially important coming from someone in his lineage who can speak of the familial soul. 🌀🙏🏻

[yvonnegreenberg]

Thank you Mark for keeping alive your father’s legacy, by keeping his voice alive. I’m grateful that you addressed AI and its limitations.

[Av-yfnn]

Mark, you dad came to my life when I needed him the most. I am just a young female in my 30s, and English is not even my native language. But I found him when I had a mystical experience - what he said like a tons of knowledge downloading into my consciousness all of the sudden, it all makes sense. I do believe in the saying : when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. He guided my soul united with the universe. We’re all One. ❤

[jackmedcalf]

I've been so upset about the AI stuff. Hearing that you know about it and hearing your take on it makes me feel a lot better. Thank you for all you do .

[agsrd]

Thanks for this. Through this medium Alan Watts will now be listened to for as long as humanity exists. That is a wonderful thing.

[baggervance]

Keep it in the family. The the black screen night options have some merit I will say. Keep the content coming.

[BrianBentley-zlxv]

I am listening to alan talking about the vocation of zen being selected by a rigid structure which makes it kinda not zen, i am guessing that you share the knowledge of your father's wisdom by freedom of choice and this is appreciated

[LuisMauricio-ce]

really enjoyed this episode! Alan Watts always brings such a unique perspective. but I have to say, I’m not entirely sold on the idea that Zen can be fully understood through words alone. sometimes it feels like we're just skimming the surface of a much deeper experience. what do you all think?

[Carbonbank]

Hit the Nail on the head Mark. Nicely put

[franklinwilkerson]

The AI stuff used to be easy to identify because it made me feel slightly nervous and tense which has never happened over the thousands of hours of AW lectures I've listened to since discovering KPFK in '88. But now, other than the audio being cleaned up (sterilized) it's getting harder to spot. I'm not into it. AI is not our friend!

[DihelsonMendonca]

💥 I'd like to know if the reality in Japan is still that described in this Alan Watts lecture. Probably it has changed over the decades, or are still japanese people not interested much in religion, Buddhism ? 😮😮😮

[curtispaul]

Did your father write that book he was talking about potentially writing in this lecture?

[Brightfur]

Mark, do you have any thoughts on the rampant AI speeches using your father's voice?

Edit: Nevermind lol. I personally hate it

[KaddyFeast]

"Brown nosing graduate student " Ha!!! Have though the same

[gregstewart]

The AI is instantly recognizable as not Alan