IFRAME https https www www googletagmanager googletagmanager com com ns ns html html id id GTM GTM MHVZTPR MHVZTPR CLOSE CLOSE PhilosophySciencePsychologySocietyCulture PhilosophySciencePsychologySocietyCulture EssaysVideosAudio EssaysVideosAudio Popular Popular About About DonateNewsletter DonateNewsletter Menu Menu DonateNewsletter DonateNewsletter SIGN SIGN IN IN Off Off beat beat Zen Zen Aeon Aeon Alan Alan Watts Watts Half Half monk monk and and half half racecourse racecourse operator operator Illustration Illustration by by Stephen Stephen Collins Collins i i Off Off beat beat Zen Zen How How I I found found my my way way out out of of depression depression thanks thanks to to the the writings writings of of the the English English priest priest who who brought brought Buddhism Buddhism to to the the West West by by Tim Tim Lott Lott BIO BIO Alan Alan Watts Watts Half Half monk monk and and half half racecourse racecourse operator operator Illustration Illustration by by Stephen Stephen Collins Collins Tim Tim Lottis Lottis the the author author of of The The Scent Scent of of Dried Dried Roses Roses Penguin Penguin Modern Modern Classics Classics and and Under Under the the Same Same Stars Stars Simon Simon and and Schuster Schuster Edited Edited byLizzie byLizzie Kirkwood Kirkwood words words commentsSave commentsSave curio curio logo logo Listen Listen here here Brought Brought to to you you by by Curio Curio an an Aeon Aeon partner partner Listen Listen to to more more Aeon Aeon Essays Essays here here Syndicate Syndicate this this Essay Essay Comments Comments Email Email Save Save Tweet Tweet Share Share Love Love Aeon Aeon Support Support our our work work Donate Donate Ever Ever since since I I was was a a child child I I have have been been acutely acutely sensitive sensitive to to the the idea idea in in the the way way that that other other people people seem seem to to feel feel only only after after bereavement bereavement or or some some shocking shocking unexpected unexpected event event that that the the human human intellect intellect is is unable unable finally finally to to make make sense sense of of the the world world everything everything is is contradiction contradiction and and paradox paradox and and no no one one really really knows knows much much for for sure sure however however loudly loudly they they profess profess to to the the contrary contrary It It is is an an uncomfortable uncomfortable mindset mindset and and as as a a result result I I have have always always felt felt the the need need to to build build a a conceptual conceptual box box in in my my mind mind big big enough enough to to fit fit the the world world into into Most Most people people seem seem to to have have a a talent talent for for denying denying or or ignoring ignoring life life s s contradictions contradictions as as the the demands demands of of work work and and life life take take them them over over Or Or they they fall fall for for an an ideology ideology perhaps perhaps religious religious or or political political that that appears appears to to render render the the world world a a comprehensible comprehensible place place I I have have never never been been able able to to support support either either strategy strategy A A sense sense of of encroaching encroaching mental mental chaos chaos was was always always skulking skulking at at the the edges edges of of my my life life Which Which is is perhaps perhaps why why I I fell fell into into an an acute acute depression depression at at the the age age of of and and didn didn t t recover recover for for several several years years The The consequence consequence of of this this was was my my first first book book a a memoir memoir called called The The Scent Scent of of Dried Dried Roses Roses While While I I was was researching researching it it I I read read the the work work of of the the psychologist psychologist Dorothy Dorothy Rowe Rowe a a quiet quiet almost almost secret secret follower follower of of Buddhist Buddhist philosophy philosophy Secret Secret because because Rowe Rowe knew knew what what the the term term Buddhist Buddhist implied implied to to the the popular popular imagination imagination as as it it did did to to me me magical magical thinking thinking Tibetan Tibetan bell bell ringing ringing and and sticking sticking gold gold flakes flakes on on statues statues of of the the Buddha Buddha Truth Truth is is not not to to be be found found by by picking picking everything everything to to pieces pieces like like a a spoilt spoilt child child It It was was through through Rowe Rowe s s writing writing that that I I first first came came across across Alan Alan Watts Watts and and he he sounded sounded like like an an unlikely unlikely philosopher philosopher His His name name evoked evoked the the image image of of a a paper paper goods goods sales sales rep rep on on a a small small regional regional industrial industrial estate estate But But through through Watts Watts and and his his writing writing I I was was exposed exposed directly directly to to the the ideas ideas of of Zen Zen Buddhism Buddhism I I was was suspicious suspicious at at first first perceiving perceiving Zen Zen Buddhism Buddhism to to be be a a religion religion rather rather than than a a philosophy philosophy I I wasn wasn t t interested interested in in the the Four Four Noble Noble Truths Truths or or the the Eightfold Eightfold Path Path and and I I certainly certainly didn didn t t believe believe in in karma karma or or reincarnation reincarnation All All the the same same I I read read a a couple couple of of Watts Watts s s books books They They made made a a significant significant impact impact on on me me The The Meaning Meaning of of Happiness Happiness and and The The Wisdom Wisdom of of Insecurity Insecurity are are striking striking primers primers to to his his work work and and they they underlined underlined what what Rowe Rowe was was already already teaching teaching me me that that life life had had no no intrinsic intrinsic meaning meaning any any more more than than a a piece piece of of music music had had an an intrinsic intrinsic point point Life Life was was in in Zen Zen parlance parlance yugen yugen a a kind kind of of elevated elevated purposelessness purposelessness Watts Watts like like Rowe Rowe showed showed me me how how we we construct construct our our own own meanings meanings about about life life That That nothing nothing is is a a given given and and since since everything everything is is uncertain uncertain we we must must put put together together a a world world view view that that might might fit fit roughly roughly with with the the facts facts but but is is never never anything anything other other than than a a guess guess a a working working fiction fiction This This too too is is a a typical typical Zen Zen understanding understanding that that life life cannot cannot be be described described only only experienced experienced Trying Trying to to see see all all of of life life is is like like trying trying to to explore explore a a vast vast cave cave with with a a box box of of matches matches Impressed Impressed though though I I was was I I more more or or less less forgot forgot about about Watts Watts after after I I finished finished his his books books and and pursued pursued my my career career as as a a fiction fiction writer writer I I was was weary weary of of introspection introspection Then Then years years later later a a bad bad spell spell in in my my life life propelled propelled me me back back into into a a chasm chasm In In three three close close friends friends died died in in sudden sudden succession succession One One died died in in front front of of my my eyes eyes Another Another was was murdered murdered A A third third succumbed succumbed to to cancer cancer My My depression depression and and that that original original sense sense of of meaninglessness meaninglessness resurfaced resurfaced I I turned turned to to Watts Watts again again This This time time it it was was as as if if I I was was reading reading for for dear dear life life No No time time for for received received wisdom wisdom a a young young Alan Alan Watts Watts L L and and friends friends reading reading haiku haiku poems poems written written for for a a contest contest Photo Photo by by Nat Nat Farbman Farbman Time Time Life Life Pictures Pictures Getty Getty Alan Alan Watts Watts had had been been prolific prolific in in his his years years He He died died in in after after producing producing not not only only books books but but also also scores scores of of lectures lectures all all of of which which were were available available online online They They had had intriguing intriguing titles titles such such as as On On Being Being Vague Vague Death Death Nothingness Nothingness and and Omnipotence Omnipotence I I stopped stopped writing writing novels novels and and worked worked my my way way through through every every one one of of them them instead instead I I found found a a DVD DVD of of an an animation animation of of Watts Watts by by Trey Trey Parker Parker and and Matt Matt Stone Stone of of South South Park Park fame fame I I discovered discovered that that Van Van Morrison Morrison had had written written a a song song about about him him and and that that Johnny Johnny Depp Depp was was a a follower follower But But he he remained remained largely largely unknown unknown in in Britain Britain even even though though he he was was English English albeit albeit an an expatriate expatriate Watts Watts was was born born in in in in Chislehurst Chislehurst Kent Kent His His father father had had been been a a sales sales rep rep for for the the Michelin Michelin tyre tyre company company and and his his mother mother was was a a housewife housewife whose whose father father had had been been a a missionary missionary In In later later life life Watts Watts wrote wrote of of mystical mystical visions visions he he d d had had after after suffering suffering fever fever as as a a child child During During school school holidays holidays while while he he was was a a scholar scholar at at King King s s School School in in Cambridge Cambridge he he went went on on trips trips with with the the Buddhism Buddhism enthusiast enthusiast Francis Francis Croshaw Croshaw who who first first developed developed his his interest interest in in Eastern Eastern religion religion With With penetrating penetrating eyes eyes like like Aleister Aleister Crowley Crowley s s he he described described himself himself as as a a spiritual spiritual entertainer entertainer By By the the age age of of Watts Watts was was the the secretary secretary of of the the London London Buddhist Buddhist Lodge Lodge which which was was run run by by the the barrister barrister Christmas Christmas Humphreys Humphreys But But Watts Watts spoiled spoiled his his chances chances of of a a scholarship scholarship to to Oxford Oxford because because one one examination examination essay essay was was judged judged presumptuous presumptuous and and capricious capricious And And despite despite his his obviously obviously brilliant brilliant mind mind Watts Watts never never achieved achieved a a British British university university degree degree This This perhaps perhaps is is another another of of his his qualities qualities that that chimes chimes with with my my own own spirit spirit I I too too left left school school with with only only two two A A levels levels and and am am like like Watts Watts an an autodidact autodidact As As a a young young man man Watts Watts worked worked in in a a printing printing house house and and then then a a bank bank During During this this time time he he hooked hooked up up with with the the Serbian Serbian rascal rascal guru guru Dimitrije Dimitrije Mitrinović Mitrinović a a follower follower of of the the Armenian Armenian spiritual spiritual teacher teacher GI GI Gurdjieff Gurdjieff and and the the Russian Russian esotericist esotericist PD PD Ouspensky Ouspensky who who became became a a major major influence influence on on his his thinking thinking At At the the age age of of in in he he attended attended the the World World Congress Congress of of Faiths Faiths at at the the University University of of London London There There he he heard heard the the renowned renowned Zen Zen scholar scholar DT DT Suzuki Suzuki speak speak and and was was introduced introduced to to him him Later Later that that year year Watts Watts published published his his first first book book The The Spirit Spirit of of Zen Zen That That same same year year he he met met the the American American heiress heiress Eleanor Eleanor Everett Everett whose whose mother mother was was involved involved with with a a traditional traditional Zen Zen Buddhist Buddhist circle circle in in New New York York He He married married Eleanor Eleanor in in and and they they moved moved to to America America where where he he trained trained as as an an Episcopal Episcopal priest priest before before leaving leaving the the ministry ministry in in thus thus separating separating once once and and for for all all from from his his Christian Christian roots roots From From then then on on he he concentrated concentrated on on the the study study and and communication communication of of Eastern Eastern philosophical philosophical ideas ideas to to Western Western audiences audiences I I felt felt powerfully powerfully attracted attracted to to Alan Alan Watts Watts Not Not only only to to his his ideas ideas but but to to him him personally personally Watts Watts was was no no dry dry academic academic philosopher philosopher With With eyes eyes hooded hooded and and penetrating penetrating like like Aleister Aleister Crowley Crowley s s he he was was a a jester jester as as well well as as a a thinker thinker describing describing himself himself as as a a spiritual spiritual entertainer entertainer Aldous Aldous Huxley Huxley described described him him as as a a curious curious man man Half Half monk monk and and half half racecourse racecourse operator operator Watts Watts wholeheartedly wholeheartedly agreed agreed with with Huxley Huxley s s characterisation characterisation He He carried carried a a silver silver cane cane for for pure pure swank swank he he hung hung out out with with Ken Ken Kesey Kesey and and Jack Jack Kerouac Kerouac he he is is even even parodied parodied in in On On the the Road Road as as Arthur Arthur Whale Whale His His English English public public school school educated educated voice voice was was rich rich and and deep deep like like a a prophet prophet s s and and his his laugh laugh juicy juicy and and contagious contagious But But it it was was his his thinking thinking that that most most excited excited me me He He was was if if not not the the earliest earliest then then certainly certainly the the foremost foremost translator translator of of Eastern Eastern philosophical philosophical ideas ideas to to the the West West In In some some ways ways his his interpretations interpretations were were radical radical for for instance instance he he dismissed dismissed the the core core Zen Zen idea idea of of zazen zazen which which meant meant spending spending hours hours seated seated in in contemplative contemplative meditation meditation as as unnecessary unnecessary A A cat cat sits sits until until it it is is tired tired of of sitting sitting then then gets gets up up stretches stretches and and walks walks away away was was his his forgiving forgiving interpretation interpretation of of zazen zazen Slightly Slightly less less forgiving forgiving was was his his comment comment on on Western Western Zen Zen enthusiasts enthusiasts whom whom he he mocked mocked as as The The uptight uptight school school who who seem seem to to believe believe that that Zen Zen is is essentially essentially sitting sitting on on your your ass ass for for interminable interminable hours hours It It was was a a great great relief relief to to read read this this for for someone someone like like me me who who found found the the idea idea of of excessive excessive meditation meditation as as unhealthy unhealthy as as the the idea idea of of excessive excessive masturbation masturbation Watts Watts also also rejected rejected the the conventional conventional ideas ideas of of reincarnation reincarnation and and the the popular popular understanding understanding of of karma karma as as a a system system of of rewards rewards and and punishments punishments carried carried out out lifetime lifetime after after lifetime lifetime It It was was this this radical radical approach approach that that made made his his ideas ideas so so fresh fresh he he had had no no time time for for received received wisdom wisdom even even from from those those who who claimed claimed to to know know Zen Zen inside inside out out The The idea idea of of walking walking around around with with a a metaphorical metaphorical stick stick to to whack whack yourself yourself with with is is foreign foreign to to a a Zen Zen master master Many Many Zen Zen ideas ideas have have become become debased debased into into new new age age philosophy philosophy basely basely transmuted transmuted into into wishful wishful thinking thinking quasi quasi religious religious mumbo mumbo jumbo jumbo and and the the narcissistic narcissistic fantasies fantasies of of the the me me generation generation But But before before the the beatniks beatniks and and the the hippies hippies got got hold hold of of it it Zen Zen philosophy philosophy as as described described by by Watts Watts was was hard hard edged edged practical practical logical logical and and in in some some ways ways oddly oddly English English in in tone tone as as it it had had deep deep strands strands of of scepticism scepticism and and humour humour You You ll ll never never see see Christian Christian saints saints laughing laughing But But most most of of the the great great sages sages of of Zen Zen have have smiles smiles on on their their faces faces as as does does Buddha Buddha Zen Zen and and Taoism Taoism are are more more akin akin to to psychotherapy psychotherapy than than to to religion religion as as Watts Watts explained explained in in his his book book Psychotherapy Psychotherapy East East and and West West They They are are about about finding finding a a way way to to maintain maintain a a healthy healthy personality personality in in a a culture culture that that tends tends to to tangle tangle you you up up in in a a lot lot of of unconscious unconscious logical logical binds binds On On the the one one hand hand you you are are told told to to be be free free and and on on the the other other that that you you should should follow follow the the demands demands of of the the community community Another Another example example is is the the instruction instruction that that you you must must be be spontaneous spontaneous These These kinds kinds of of snags snags or or double double binds binds according according to to Zen Zen writings writings produce produce inner inner tension tension frustration frustration and and neurosis neurosis what what Buddhism Buddhism calls calls dukkha dukkha Watts Watts saw saw his his job job via via Zen Zen philosophy philosophy to to teach teach you you to to think think clearly clearly so so that that you you could could see see through through conventional conventional thinking thinking to to a a place place where where your your mind mind could could be be at at peace peace inside inside a a culture culture that that could could have have been been designed designed to to generate generate anxiety anxiety But But although although he he was was an an entertaining entertaining writer writer who who presented presented his his ideas ideas with with a a brilliant brilliant clarity clarity Watts Watts had had a a difficult difficult job job on on his his hands hands mainly mainly because because Zen Zen and and Taoism Taoism are are so so fundamentally fundamentally counter counter intuitive intuitive to to the the Western Western mind mind Western Western philosophers philosophers and and laymen laymen find find Eastern Eastern thinkers thinkers frustrating frustrating because because Buddhist Buddhist sages sages don don t t have have the the same same emphasis emphasis on on the the power power of of language language reason reason and and logic logic to to transform transform the the self self or or to to know know in in the the way way Westerners Westerners think think of of the the word word The The riddles riddles or or koans koans that that Zen Zen thinkers thinkers speak speak in in are are intended intended to to trip trip you you up up and and make make you you realise realise how how inadequate inadequate words words either either spoken spoken or or inner inner dialogue dialogue are are in in making making sense sense Zen Zen emphasises emphasises intuition intuition and and mushin mushin that that is is an an empty empty mind mind over over planning planning and and thought thought The The ideal ideal is is that that your your mind mind can can be be unblocked unblocked from from maya maya which which means means both both illusion illusion and and play play and and thus thus acquire acquire a a kind kind of of resonance resonance or or instant instant reflection reflection or or munen munen which which translates translates awkwardly awkwardly as as now now mind mind heart heart This This makes makes it it alien alien to to Western Western philosophical philosophical traditions traditions which which tend tend to to distrust distrust spontaneity spontaneity since since it it supposedly supposedly clears clears the the way way for for the the dominance dominance of of brute brute animal animal instincts instincts and and dangerous dangerous passions passions But But the the idea idea of of walking walking around around with with a a metaphorical metaphorical big big stick stick with with which which to to whack whack yourself yourself if if you you make make a a mistake mistake or or get get carried carried away away by by your your emotions emotions is is foreign foreign to to a a Zen Zen master master Zen Zen after after all all was was used used by by the the Samurai Samurai warriors warriors who who had had to to strike strike immediately immediately without without reflection reflection or or die die Intuition Intuition in in a a healthy healthy soul soul is is more more important important than than conscious conscious reflection reflection Millions Millions of of years years of of evolution evolution have have made made the the human human unconscious unconscious wise wise not not reckless reckless You You can can find find similar similar ideas ideas in in modern modern books books such such as as Blink Blink by by Malcolm Malcolm Gladwell Gladwell which which emphasises emphasises the the value value of of gut gut reactions reactions Zen Zen started started as as a a reaction reaction against against the the highly highly conventionalised conventionalised and and ritualised ritualised Japanese Japanese society society from from which which it it emerged emerged This This must must have have struck struck a a chord chord with with Watts Watts who who grew grew up up at at a a time time when when British British society society hidebound hidebound introverted introverted and and conventional conventional was was not not so so different different from from the the self self controlled controlled uptight uptight world world of of the the Japanese Japanese In In such such a a society society spontaneous spontaneous behaviour behaviour becomes becomes impossible impossible The The word word Zen Zen is is a a Japanese Japanese way way of of pronouncing pronouncing chan chan which which is is the the Chinese Chinese way way of of pronouncing pronouncing the the Indian Indian Sanskrit Sanskrit dhyana dhyana or or sunya sunya meaning meaning emptiness emptiness or or void void This This is is the the basis basis of of Zen Zen itself itself that that all all life life and and existence existence is is based based on on a a kind kind of of dynamic dynamic emptiness emptiness a a view view now now supported supported by by modern modern science science which which sees sees phenomena phenomena at at a a subatomic subatomic level level popping popping in in and and out out of of existence existence in in a a quantum quantum froth froth In In this this view view there there is is no no stuff stuff no no difference difference between between matter matter and and energy energy Look Look at at anything anything closely closely enough enough even even a a rock rock or or a a table table and and you you will will see see that that it it is is an an event event not not a a thing thing Every Every thing thing is is in in truth truth happening happening This This too too accords accords with with modern modern scientific scientific knowledge knowledge Furthermore Furthermore there there is is not not a a multiplicity multiplicity of of events events There There is is just just one one event event with with multiple multiple aspects aspects unfolding unfolding We We are are not not just just separate separate egos egos locked locked in in bags bags of of skin skin We We come come out out of of the the world world not not into into it it We We are are each each expressions expressions of of the the world world not not strangers strangers in in a a strange strange land land flukes flukes of of consciousness consciousness in in a a blind blind stupid stupid universe universe as as evolutionary evolutionary science science teaches teaches us us IFRAME IFRAME https https www www youtube youtube com com embed embed aufuwMiKmE aufuwMiKmE The The emphasis emphasis on on the the present present moment moment is is perhaps perhaps Zen Zen s s most most distinctive distinctive characteristic characteristic In In our our Western Western relationship relationship with with time time in in which which we we compulsively compulsively pick pick over over the the past past in in order order to to learn learn lessons lessons from from it it and and then then project project into into a a hypothetical hypothetical future future in in which which those those lessons lessons can can be be applied applied the the present present moment moment has has been been compressed compressed to to a a tiny tiny sliver sliver on on the the clock clock face face between between a a vast vast past past and and an an infinite infinite future future Zen Zen more more than than anything anything else else is is about about reclaiming reclaiming and and expanding expanding the the present present moment moment It It tries tries to to have have you you understand understand without without arguing arguing the the point point that that there there is is no no purpose purpose in in getting getting anywhere anywhere if if when when you you get get there there all all you you do do is is think think about about getting getting to to some some other other future future moment moment Life Life exists exists in in the the present present or or nowhere nowhere at at all all and and if if you you cannot cannot grasp grasp that that you you are are simply simply living living a a fantasy fantasy For For all all Zen Zen writers writers life life is is as as it it was was for for Shakespeare Shakespeare akin akin to to a a dream dream transitory transitory and and insubstantial insubstantial There There is is no no rock rock of of ages ages cleft cleft for for thee thee There There is is no no security security Looking Looking for for security security Watts Watts said said is is like like jumping jumping off off a a cliff cliff while while holding holding on on to to a a rock rock for for safety safety an an absurd absurd illusion illusion Everything Everything passes passes and and you you must must die die Don Don t t waste waste your your time time thinking thinking otherwise otherwise Neither Neither Buddha Buddha nor nor his his Zen Zen followers followers had had time time for for any any notion notion of of an an afterlife afterlife The The doctrine doctrine of of reincarnation reincarnation can can be be more more accurately accurately thought thought about about as as a a constant constant rebirth rebirth of of death death throughout throughout life life and and the the continual continual coming coming and and going going of of universal universal energy energy of of which which we we are are all all part part before before and and after after death death Another Another challenge challenge for for Western Western thinkers thinkers when when struggling struggling with with Zen Zen is is that that unlike unlike Western Western religion religion and and philosophy philosophy it it has has no no particular particular moral moral code code The The Noble Noble Truths Truths are are not not moral moral teachings teachings Zen Zen unlike unlike Mahayana Mahayana Buddhism Buddhism with with its its Eightfold Eightfold Path Path makes makes no no judgment judgment about about good good or or bad bad except except to to say say that that they they are are both both necessary necessary to to make make the the universe universe dynamic dynamic Like Like the the Greek Greek philosopher philosopher Heraclitus Heraclitus said said there there is is no no idea idea of of good good out out to to destroy destroy evil evil or or vice vice versa versa Evil Evil cannot cannot be be destroyed destroyed any any more more than than good good can can because because they they are are polar polar opposites opposites of of the the same same thing thing like like poles poles of of a a magnet magnet Destruction Destruction is is as as necessary necessary as as creation creation Chaos Chaos must must exist exist if if we we are are to to know know what what order order is is Both Both aspects aspects of of reality reality in in tension tension with with one one another another are are necessary necessary to to keep keep the the whole whole game game going going the the unity unity of of opposites opposites This This can can lead lead to to some some fairly fairly shocking shocking moral moral reasoning reasoning When When the the American American composer composer and and Zen Zen follower follower John John Cage Cage was was asked asked Don Don t t you you think think there there s s too too much much suffering suffering in in the the world world he he answered answered I I think think there there s s just just the the right right amount amount This This encapsulates encapsulates and and yet yet somewhat somewhat satirises satirises the the Zen Zen world world view view that that the the dark dark and and the the light light the the negative negative and and the the positive positive the the yin yin and and the the yang yang are are all all necessary necessary parts parts of of the the overall overall whole whole Behind Behind this this thinking thinking is is the the idea idea that that for for the the accomplished accomplished follower follower of of Zen Zen moralists moralists are are dangerous dangerous because because they they will will destroy destroy everything everything in in pursuit pursuit of of their their vision vision of of the the good good Straightforward Straightforward greed greed might might result result in in the the destruction destruction of of the the local local village village to to get get their their wealth wealth and and their their women women but but that that won won t t be be too too bad bad because because it it will will preserve preserve the the wealth wealth and and the the women women A A cutting cutting up up attitude attitude to to life life gives gives us us dead dead knowledge knowledge not not live live knowledge knowledge However However if if you you are are on on a a moral moral crusade crusade you you will will destroy destroy everything everything in in your your wake wake And And who who can can deny deny that that the the history history of of the the th th century century bears bears out out this this view view with with Nazi Nazi and and Communist Communist ideologies ideologies causing causing such such havoc havoc After After all all Hitler Hitler was was an an idealist idealist too too So So Confucius Confucius who who was was not not admittedly admittedly part part of of the the Zen Zen tradition tradition though though he he influenced influenced it it puts puts the the greatest greatest value value not not on on absolute absolute good good but but on on human human heartedness heartedness or or jen jen If If you you are are human human hearted hearted you you are are unlikely unlikely to to want want to to do do any any great great ill ill even even without without a a great great moral moral vision vision to to guide guide you you And And even even if if you you do do the the damage damage you you cause cause will will be be limited limited by by your your own own self self interest interest This This lack lack of of a a clear clear moral moral code code is is perhaps perhaps why why Zen Zen is is not not a a philosophy philosophy wholly wholly appropriate appropriate for for the the young young or or immature immature mind mind In In the the s s Watts Watts critiqued critiqued the the Beatnik Beatnik appropriation appropriation of of Zen Zen in in his his book book Beat Beat Zen Zen Square Square Zen Zen and and Zen Zen The The apparent apparent fatalism fatalism of of Zen Zen seemed seemed to to open open the the door door for for an an individual individual to to do do whatever whatever they they like like Watts Watts thought thought the the Beats Beats were were childish childish although although he he did did suggest suggest that that their their behaviour behaviour also also revealed revealed a a clever clever paradox paradox that that absolute absolute fatalism fatalism implies implies absolute absolute freedom freedom Again Again you you can can look look at at it it both both ways ways In In fact fact Zen Zen isn isn t t fatalistic fatalistic Rather Rather it it accepts accepts something something that that Western Western philosophy philosophy finds finds hard hard to to grasp grasp that that two two contradictory contradictory truths truths are are possible possible at at the the same same time time It It just just depends depends on on which which way way you you look look at at it it The The world world is is not not a a logically logically consistent consistent one one but but a a profoundly profoundly paradoxical paradoxical one one Again Again this this is is illustrated illustrated in in science science which which shows shows that that two two things things can can be be one one at at the the same same time time light light for for instance instance acts acts as as both both a a particle particle and and a a wave wave The The Zen Zen masters masters say say the the same same thing thing about about human human life life Perhaps Perhaps you you are are doing doing it it Perhaps Perhaps it it is is doing doing you you There There is is no no way way of of knowing knowing which which is is which which It It is is like like a a formal formal dance dance so so deft deft that that you you cannot cannot tell tell who who is is leading leading and and who who is is following following While While it it is is refreshing refreshing that that Zen Zen philosophy philosophy is is supported supported in in many many ways ways by by present present scientific scientific knowledge knowledge it it is is also also a a critique critique of of scientific scientific thought thought The The scientific scientific tradition tradition requires requires things things up up to to be be cut cut up up both both mentally mentally and and physically physically into into smaller smaller and and small small pieces pieces to to investigate investigate them them It It suggests suggests that that the the only only kind kind of of knowledge knowledge is is empirical empirical and and that that the the rigid rigid laws laws of of scientific scientific method method are are the the only only kind kind that that are are valid valid Zen Zen implies implies that that this this is is like like throwing throwing the the baby baby out out with with the the bathwater bathwater scientific scientific thinking thinking might might be be immensely immensely useful useful but but it it also also does does violence violence to to a a meaningful meaningful conception conception of of life life It It tends tends to to screen screen out out the the essential essential connectedness connectedness of of things things We We live live in in an an imprecise imprecise world world Nature Nature is is extraordinarily extraordinarily vague vague Science Science promotes promotes the the idea idea of of hard hard clear clear brute brute facts facts but but some some facts facts are are soft soft A A cutting cutting up up attitude attitude to to life life gives gives us us dead dead knowledge knowledge not not live live knowledge knowledge The The fundamental fundamental nature nature of of the the world world is is not not something something you you can can get get too too precise precise about about The The basis basis of of one one s s life life and and thought thought must must always always remain remain undefined undefined Some Some ideas ideas such such as as the the Tao Tao the the way way of of things things come come to to us us we we can can t t just just go go out out and and get get them them They They are are mysterious mysterious and and unknown unknown This This kind kind of of thinking thinking is is anathema anathema to to the the modern modern scientist scientist who who thinks thinks that that everything everything can can be be known known and and finally finally will will be be known known But But Watts Watts argued argued it it is is impossible impossible to to appreciate appreciate the the universe universe unless unless you you know know when when to to stop stop investigating investigating Truth Truth is is not not to to be be found found by by picking picking everything everything to to pieces pieces like like a a spoilt spoilt child child It It is is impossible impossible of of course course to to summarise summarise Zen Zen in in a a few few thousand thousand words words In In fact fact it it doesn doesn t t ask ask to to be be summarised summarised The The first first principle principle of of Zen Zen voiced voiced by by the the philosopher philosopher Lao Lao Tzu Tzu is is Those Those who who know know don don t t say say and and those those who who say say don don t t know know Zen Zen is is not not proselytising proselytising quite quite the the reverse reverse It It asks asks you you to to come come to to it it in in supplication supplication and and to to tease tease it it out out Another Another Zen Zen saying saying is is He He who who seeks seeks to to persuade persuade does does not not convince convince But But it it convinced convinced me me After After spending spending nearly nearly two two years years studying studying Zen Zen Taoism Taoism and and the the works works of of Alan Alan Watts Watts I I think think I I genuinely genuinely achieved achieved a a sort sort of of satori satori a a freedom freedom from from the the inner inner weights weights and and contradictions contradictions of of ordinary ordinary life life When When a a student student asked asked Watts Watts what what enlightenment enlightenment felt felt like like he he said said if if felt felt very very ordinary ordinary but but like like walking walking slightly slightly in in the the air air an an inch inch above above the the ground ground And And that that is is exactly exactly how how I I felt felt every every day day I I don don t t know know how how long long the the experience experience lasted lasted Perhaps Perhaps as as long long as as a a year year perhaps perhaps even even longer longer All All that that time time Watts Watts and and the the Zen Zen idea idea were were there there in in my my head head informing informing my my thoughts thoughts and and actions actions The The background background noise noise the the static static of of worry worry and and gabble gabble that that informed informed my my old old life life had had disappeared disappeared My My head head was was clear clear The The philosophy philosophy entirely entirely permeated permeated me me My My life life was was truly truly more more joyful joyful than than it it had had ever ever been been Nothing Nothing bothered bothered me me I I felt felt full full of of energy energy and and optimism optimism Then Then one one day day I I lost lost the the vision vision I I don don t t know know how how it it happened happened A A period period of of stress stress and and clinical clinical depression depression took took me me under under and and when when I I surfaced surfaced again again Watts Watts and and the the Tao Tao had had left left my my thoughts thoughts I I was was alone alone again again puzzled puzzled and and conflicted conflicted I I knew knew the the words words but but I I couldn couldn t t hear hear the the music music anymore anymore The The old old thoughts thoughts and and habits habits I I had had been been conditioned conditioned into into since since birth birth reasserted reasserted themselves themselves Once Once more more I I worried worried about about things things pointlessly pointlessly and and got got lost lost in in the the past past and and the the future future instead instead of of existing existing in in the the dynamic dynamic present present But But then then I I shouldn shouldn t t have have been been surprised surprised What What Alan Alan Watts Watts taught taught above above all all else else is is that that everything everything is is transitory transitory Everything Everything comes comes and and goes goes Watts Watts himself himself did did not not exist exist in in a a perpetual perpetual state state of of spiritual spiritual bliss bliss He He died died an an alcoholic alcoholic He He had had been been a a lifelong lifelong heavy heavy drinker drinker His His later later life life was was not not easy easy in in the the last last years years he he cut cut a a Dickensian Dickensian figure figure working working desperately desperately to to support support his his seven seven children children and and presumably presumably his his two two ex ex wives wives by by the the time time he he died died he he was was on on a a third third But But he he was was by by no no accounts accounts an an unhappy unhappy drunk drunk He He never never expressed expressed guilt guilt or or regret regret about about his his drinking drinking and and smoking smoking and and never never missed missed a a lecture lecture or or a a writing writing deadline deadline If If Watts Watts s s own own example example is is to to be be taken taken into into account account being being enlightened enlightened doesn doesn t t always always make make you you happy happy Yet Yet it it is is still still something something worth worth attaining attaining It It brings brings clarity clarity and and peace peace even even if if it it doesn doesn t t protect protect you you from from all all of of life life s s vicissitudes vicissitudes My My personal personal enlightenment enlightenment came came and and went went but but I I hope hope it it might might return return Perhaps Perhaps this this article article will will be be the the first first step step in in that that direction direction It It feels feels like like it it is is It It might might be be in in my my hands hands or or it it might might not not But But if if I I can can find find the the path path again again then then I I will will stay stay on on it it until until I I lose lose it it And And as as the the Zen Zen saying saying instructs instructs if if I I see see the the Buddha Buddha I I will will kill kill him him Because Because the the moment moment you you start start thinking thinking of of yourself yourself as as enlightened enlightened you you are are not not twitter twitter timlottwriter timlottwriter Consciousness Consciousness and and altered altered statesPhilosophy statesPhilosophy of of religionSpiritualityValues religionSpiritualityValues and and beliefsWellbeing beliefsWellbeing September September Syndicate Syndicate this this Essay Essay Aeon Aeon is is not not for for profit profit and and free free for for everyone everyone Make Make a a donation donation Get Get Aeon Aeon straight straight to to your your inbox inbox Join Join our our newsletter newsletter This This paradoxical paradoxical life life Aeon Aeon Save Save essay essay Logic Logic and and probability probability This This paradoxical paradoxical life life When When logic logic fails fails to to make make sense sense of of a a world world noisy noisy with with inconsistency inconsistency paraconsistent paraconsistent logics logics hold hold out out im im possible possible solutions solutions Zach Zach Weber Weber The The meaning meaning of of anger anger Aeon Aeon Save Save essay essay Mood Mood and and emotion emotion The The meaning meaning of of anger anger Is Is anger anger like like energy energy forever forever changing changing form form but but never never dissipating dissipating or or part part of of our our repertoire repertoire of of desires desires the the cry cry of of a a need need unmet unmet Josh Josh Cohen Cohen The The end end of of travel travel Aeon Aeon Save Save essay essay Travel Travel The The end end of of travel travel Driven Driven by by the the need need for for a a storied storied life life I I relished relished the the opportunity opportunity for for endless endless travel travel Is Is that that a a moment moment in in time time now now over over Henry Henry Wismayer Wismayer Stoics Stoics as as activists activists Aeon Aeon Save Save essay essay Ethics Ethics Stoics Stoics as as activists activists You You might might think think of of it it as as a a philosophy philosophy for for turning turning away away from from the the world world but but ancient ancient Stoics Stoics took took a a stand stand against against tyranny tyranny Massimo Massimo Pigliucci Pigliucci How How to to pray pray to to a a dead dead God God Aeon Aeon Save Save essay essay Philosophy Philosophy of of religion religion How How to to pray pray to to a a dead dead God God The The modern modern world world is is disenchanted disenchanted God God remains remains dead dead But But our our need need for for transcendence transcendence lives lives on on How How should should we we fulfil fulfil it it Ed Ed Simon Simon What What Big Big History History misses misses Aeon Aeon Save Save essay essay Global Global history history What What Big Big History History misses misses Sweeping Sweeping the the human human story story into into a a cosmic cosmic tale tale is is a a thrill thrill but but we we should should be be wary wary about about what what is is overlooked overlooked in in the the grandeur grandeur Ian Ian Hesketh Hesketh EssaysIdeasVideos EssaysIdeasVideos AboutContact AboutContact RSS RSS FeedDonateCommunity FeedDonateCommunity Guidelines Guidelines Follow Follow Aeon Aeon Sign Sign up up to to our our newsletter newsletter Updates Updates on on everything everything new new at at Aeon 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