Reality, Art and Illusion

by Alan W. Watts

Alan Watts discusses the Indian philosophy of the world as maya—under its multiple meanings as illusion, art, magic, creative power, measure, etc. Various techniques in the arts are used to illustrate the delicate and vibrational character of the material world, and to suggest a new approach to the old philosophy that the universe is "mind" only.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion, Art, Spirituality, Audiobook

MP3 CD

First published January 6, 2015

About the author

Alan Wilson Watts was a British philosopher, writer and speaker, who held both a Master's in Theology and a Doctorate of Divinity. Famous for his research on comparative religion, he was best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Asian philosophies for a Western audience. He wrote over 25 books and numerous articles on subjects such as personal identity, the true nature of reality, higher consciousness, the meaning of life, concepts and images of God and the non-material pursuit of happiness. In his books he relates his experience to scientific knowledge and to the teachings of Eastern and Western religion and philosophy.

Reviews

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learnt nothing, which I guess was more or less the point.

[Christina Schnee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It isn’t serious and you are it”

[Luca Di Lieto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice to listen to Alan Watts, not just for his iconic voice and cadence but he takes you on a journey and makes good use of examples to see things differently (often a more eastern perspective).

Here, he unpacks the concept of ‘Maya’, an idea commonly associated with the world being an illusion. He shows goes through all its meanings from measurement, play, magic, art etc.
He shows through common thread of philosophical thought how there are illusions of division, where we divide the world so we can measure it, but those separations are arbitrary. Or how we group things together in abstractions which are equally arbitrary, like water running through a whirlpool, is in constant motion but staying in one place. He separates these ideas and shows can either extreme can lead to error. The answer is a balance.

“You cannot use the language of illusion. That is to say, the language of accurate separative description too far without getting into confusion. Push your nominalism and it becomes realism. Push your scientific materialism and it becomes mysticism.”

His conclusion is a Buddhist one. That all is one. Maya suggests two conclusions:
1) life is not ultimately serious.
2) you in your heart of hearts are god.

I think this is an example of how you can get overexcited from analysing the limits of philosophy. I do enjoy how he balances both extremes and shows the problem in each view but it’s is almost like his philosophy is to do away with the tension by delving into mysticism. It is a psychological resolution but not a complete one. Removing responsibility can be liberating but will also leave us ‘unmoored’ in the sense of Nietzsche’s madman.

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. You’re not gonna get any sort of definitive answer to your questions about life, the universe, and everything with Alan Watts because the indefiniteness of it all is the very thing he finds so thrilling. This talk of his really hammers home just how much we think we’ve got figured out about reality and ourselves but really don’t. I feel like I’ve got a gag reflex with a lot of even vaguely New Agey stuff, but Watts is just a great communicator and, as science and psychology have progressed, it seems like the Eastern religious thought accurately predicted a lot of what we’re coming to know about the evasive nature of the universe and the self through more modern and skeptical methods.

[Jacob Figueroa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nada existe por sí mismo, todo existe en relación con algo más. Maya es la ilusión de separación, creer que somos seres separados de los demás e independientes del resto del cosmos. Apegarnos a verdades absolutas puede llevarnos a Maya, que se reflejaría en pensamientos y comportamientos rígidos hacia otros. Hay quienes dicen que todo este pensamiento liberal es vago y de cobardes, y por tanto para demostrar que tienes valor debes creer algo absurdo y aferrarte a ello, pero cambiar nuestra forma de vernos y de ver a los demás como no separados requiere del mayor esfuerzo y valor.

[Laureena Mardini · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compilation of several lectures by Alan Watts on reality.
A great guide for people who sense that they, in their nature, are nearing a realization that might tear apart the reality they live.
An exceptionally enjoyable journey towards questioning the duality of things, and approaching life philosophically, and enlightenment.

"If you push anybody far enough philosophically, they will all arrive at the same place."

"How to be a genuine mask? A really successful fraud? That's Maya! Magic. The next meaning of Maya is art. Art or, indeed, skill."

[Dr. Ashori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool to hear such unique perspectives from so many years ago. He created this audio piece in the 60s, when the world's perspective was so different from today. You can hear some of his time's racial and cultural remarks. But in the end, he had a realization that echoes in contemporary philosophers and will be something many generations in the future will read or listen from their own philosophers. Very cool.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disjointed intro to Watts.

These bits and pieces drawn from Watts’ deep study of Eastern Religions and Culture don’t really provide much understanding of his Philosophy.

There are some gems included and it’s great to hear his delivery in his own voice. If you want to learn more read his books. Three Stars for his presentation. ***

[Cali · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 - unavoidably measuring Watts' conception of representations of the world against Kantian idealism. interesting reflections here on ma, maya,and illusion. the mind will create illusions as long as it can measure. less sold on the world as "bits", though the thought experiment is useful insofar as it contextualizes the Eastern theophilosohical position.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say, most everything Alan Watts wrote or said is so simple, funny, mind-blowing. And each book continues to be so. Through these writings, I understand the meaning of Maya, the illusion, much better.

[Kieron · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Maggie Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite anything by Alan Watts. Disappointing

[Elham Sarikhani · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the intersection of Eastern and Western thought.

[Mejix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of intriguing ideas presented in a casual and occasionally sloppy way. Very few ideas related to art. Good primer though. Wouldn't mind revisiting it in the future.

[Teo · Rating 3 out of 5]

2017.02.11–2017.02.11

Watts A (2015) (03:30) Reality, Art and Illusion