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Quote by Alan Watts

“We are not clear as to the role in life of these chemicals; nor are we clear as to the role of the physician. You know, of course, that in ancient times there was no clear distinction between priest and physician.”

Quote by Alan Watts

Author

Alan Watts was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker known for his exploration of the relationship between Eastern and Western thought, particularly focusing on Zen Buddhism and its influence on Western culture. His work has influenced many in the areas of spirituality, psychology, and the philosophy of science. more

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“Zen is really extraordinarily simple as long as one doesn't try to be cute about it or beat around the bush! Zen is simply the sensation and the clear understanding ... that there is behind the multiplicity of events and creatures in this universe simply one energy -- and it appears as you, and everything is it. The practice of Zen is to understand that one energy so as to "feel it in your bones.”

Feels Trying Long Universe Energy Understanding Simple Behinds Practice Clear Events Creatures Beats Bones Cute Sensations Multiplicity

Author:Alan Watts

“I have suggested that behind almost all myth lies the mono-plot of the game of hide-and-seek.”

Lying Games Behinds Myth Plot Hide And Seek Mono

Author:Alan Watts

“Religion is always falling apart.”

Fall Falling Apart

Book:Buddhism the Religion of No-Religion

Source: Buddhism the Religion of No-Religion

“Complete possession is proved only by giving. All you are unable to give possesses you.”

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Book:Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality

Source: Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality

“I am amazed that Congressmen can pass a bill imposing severe penalties on anyone who burns the American flag, whereas they are responsible for burning that for which the flag stands: the United States as a territory, as a people, and as a biological manifestation. That is an example of our perennial confusion of symbols with realities.”

People States Reality United United States Example Responsible Bills Confusion Symbols Burning Manifestation Territory Flags Penalties Amazed Severe Imposing Congressman American Flag

Author:Alan Watts

“Now, you see, if you understand what I'm saying, with your intelligence, and then take the next step and say "But I understood it now, but I didn't feel it." Then, next I raise the question: Why do you want to feel it? You say: "I want something more", because that's again that spiritual greed. And you could only say that because you didn't understand it.”

Ifs Want Feels Spiritual Next Steps Understood Raises Greed Want Something Next Steps

Author:Alan Watts

“Buddhism ... is not a culture but a critique of culture, an enduring nonviolent revolution or "loyal opposition" to the culture in which it is involved.”

Culture Revolution Buddhism Involved Endure Opposition Loyal Critique

Author:Alan Watts

“The psychotherapist ... tries to help the individual to be himself and to go it alone without giving unnecessary offense to his community, to be in the world (of social convention) but not of the world.”

World Giving Trying Helping Individual Social Community Conventions Unnecessary Offense Psychotherapists

Author:Alan Watts

“Sex is no longer a serious taboo. Teenagers sometimes know more about it than adults.”

Knows Sometimes Sex Serious Adults Teenager Taboo

Book:The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

Source: The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

“I seem to be a brief light that flashes but once in all the aeons of time a rare, complicated, and all-too-delicate organism on the fringe of biological evolution , where the wave of life bursts into individual, sparkling, and multicolored drops that gleam for a moment... only to vanish forever.”

Moments Light Seems Individual Forever Evolution Wave Complicated Delicate Flash Organisms Fringe Gleam Sparkling Biological Evolution Wave Of Life

Book:The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

Source: The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are