Don't Take Life too Seriously | Alan Watts

About this video

• Video Title: Don't Take Life too Seriously | Alan Watts
• Channel: Alan Watts & Wisdom
• Speakers: Alan Watts
• Duration: 00:25:51

Overview

This video features Alan Watts discussing the human tendency to take life too seriously, viewing it as a journey with a final goal. He contrasts this with a more playful, music-like or dance-like experience of life, where the meaning is found in the present moment rather than a future accomplishment. Watts encourages a shift from striving and control to effortless action and embracing life's inherent playfulness, drawing parallels with nature and Eastern philosophies.

Key takeaways

• Life as a Play, Not a Problem: We often treat life as a problem to be solved or a journey to a destination, leading to anxiety and a missed experience of the present. The alternative is to see life as a dance or music, where the meaning is in the act itself.
• The Illusion of the Serious Self: The "ego" or the idea of a solid, enduring self is a concept, a story we tell ourselves, not a fixed entity. Taking this "mask" too seriously turns the game of life into a prison.
• Embracing Purposelessness: True purposelessness, as understood in some Eastern philosophies, isn't about doing nothing but acting without strain or forcing. It's about flowing with life, like water, and finding beauty and meaning in existence itself, not in achieving external goals.
• The Power of Play: The opposite of seriousness is not frivolity, but playfulness. Engaging in activities without a utilitarian purpose, for the sheer joy of it, is essential for a healthy and fulfilling life.
• Trust and Letting Go: Real trust involves letting go of control and accepting the flow of life, much like throwing a ball. This contrasts with a world built on mistrust, control, and rigid systems.