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The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts

The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts

★ 10.0/10•1972•5h 42m•TV-Y7•Reality•Talk•Documentary
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The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts video series was recorded in 1971 above Muir Woods, California, and in 1972 aboard the ferryboat the SS Vallejo in Sausalito. Produced by his son Mark and directed by long-time archivist Henry Jacobs, the series explores core philosophical themes that spawned over Watts' career.

StatusEnded
Runtime5h 42m
LanguageEN
First Air DateDec 31, 1972

Episodes

Episode 1 - NothingE1342m

Nothing

Basing his ideas on sensory perception and physical experience, Alan Watts makes a compelling argument that everything actually depends upon nothing for its very existence.

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 2 - EgoE2342m

Ego

Alan Watts was concerned with the way we trap ourselves in words. He considered it unfortunate that we separate the "I" from reality and think of "I" in terms of how others see us or the image that we want to project. What is the answer?

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 3 - MeditationE3342m

Meditation

As Alan Watts explains, "A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts and loses touch with reality." He covers basic mediation techniques, including listening without naming and mantras or sonic meditations.

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 4 - GodE4342m

God

To many of us the image of God as a gray-bearded omnipotent and omnipresent supreme being has become implausible, yet the common sense notions of divine authority surrounding that image persist.

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 5 - Cosmic DramaE5342m

Cosmic Drama

Alan Watts further explores the Hindu dramatic view of the universe, in which God plays all of the parts - all the while pretending not to know who he/she/it is!

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 6 - TimeE6342m

Time

Here Alan Watts points out that our insistence that the past determines the present is nonsensical.

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 7 - Work & PlayE7342m

Work & Play

Alan Watts swirls an orange on a string and shoots an arrow high into the air before explaining why the art of living is being paid to play - and to the extent that we feel compelled to work and survive, life becomes a drag.

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 8 - DeathE8342m

Death

Alan Watts comments on the circle of life and our response to the surprising event of being born in the first place.

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 9 - The More It ChangesE9342m

The More It Changes

Alan Watts speaks on our fascination with reproduction through media, and on the far out notion that human beings may just be one star's way of becoming another star!

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 10 - ClothingE10342m

Clothing

After talking about growing up near London, Alan Watts demonstrates a variety of cultural garb and points out how each influences the way we live and feel. His choices of attire include a western business suit and a kimono.

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 11 - Do You Smell?E11342m

Do You Smell?

Alan Watts speaks about our most repressed sense. Here he introduces viewers to the intricacies of incense in front of a small Buddhist altar, while commenting on the types of incense used in Church rituals and all across Asia.

Dec 31, 1972

Episode 12 - Conversation with MyselfE12342m

Conversation with Myself

While walking in a field above Muir Woods, Alan Watts points to humankind's attempts to straighten out a wiggly world as the root of our ecological crisis.

Dec 31, 1971

Actors

Alan Watts

Alan Watts

Alan Watts

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