Alan Watts

""It is essential to understand this point thoroughly: that the thing-in-itself, whether animal, vegetable, or mineral, is not only unknowable-it does not exist. This is important not only for sanity and peace of mind, but also for the most "practical" reasons of economics, politics, and technology.. This is not to say only that things exist in relation to one another, but that what we call "things" are no more than glimpses of a unified process. Certainly, this process has distinct features which catch our attention, but we must remember that distinction is not separation.""

3 likes

Source: Alan Watts (2011). “The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are”, p.37, Souvenir Press

About the author

Alan Watts

Alan Watts

Philosopher, Writer

Alan Watts was a British philosopher known for interpreting Eastern philosophy for Western audiences, particularly through his work 'The Way of Zen.'

All quotes by Alan Watts →

Same author

More quotes by Alan Watts

See all →
Alan Watts Philosopher, Writer

"The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves."

Read quote
Alan Watts Philosopher, Writer

"By replacing fear of the unknown with curiosity we open ourselves up to an infinite stream of possibility. We can let fear rule our lives or we can become childlike with curiosity, pushing our boundaries, leaping out of our comfort zones, and accepting what life puts before us."

Read quote
Alan Watts Philosopher, Writer

"This is the real secret of life -- to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play."

Read quote
Alan Watts Philosopher, Writer

"The future is a concept, it doesn't exist. There is no such thing as tomorrow. There never will be, because time is always now. That's one of the things we discover when we stop talking to ourselves and stop thinking. We find there is only present, only an eternal now."

Read quote