TELEVISION

Alan Watts on Eastern Wisdom & Modern Life - Season 1

Series: Alan Watts on Eastern Wisdom & Modern Life
4.8
(152)
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Episodes
18
Rating
NRC
Year
1959
Language
English
Publisher
Gaiam TV

About

Watts wrote and anchored two seasons of the Eastern Wisdom and Modern life public television series, in which he explored the growing influence of Far Eastern ways of liberation in contemporary western culture. This fascinating 18-part series stands unequalled in its brilliant analysis of modern civilization. Filled with clear, precise, easily understood examples and explanations, this series provides keys to actualization and self-awareness. Recorded in San Francisco in 1958 through 1960.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1. Man And Nature

29m

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Alan Watts speaks on the contrast between classical Chinese and historic Western attitudes in regard to man's place in nature. Do we see ourselves as nature's conquerors or collaborators?

2. Things And Thinks

29m

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Alan Watts presents an explanation of the East Indian idea of maya: the division of the world into separate things and events is a work of human thought and not a fact of nature. Watts examines the disastrous consequences of confusing thought with fact.

3. Time

29m

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This program looks at the East Indian concept of time and the illusion of living for the future as the tomorrow that never comes. Plans for the future are only useful for those able to live fully in the present.

4. The Void

29m

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Buddhism symbolizes its basic spiritual experience as a void, but Alan Watts explains this must not be taken literally. Watts explores the void as a symbol of freedom and of a world feeling which can be described poetically though not logically as the "absolute rightness" of every moment.

5. The Silent Mind

29m

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One who talks all the time can never hear what others say. And one who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts. Alan Watts examines the value of silent-mindedness or the practice of meditation in Hinduism and Buddhism.

6. On Death

29m

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Alan Watts explores Buddhist ideas of the value of death as the great renovator, including the Wheel of Life, and the idea of reincarnation as it is understood by philosophical Buddhists.

7. Recollection

27m

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This program focuses on the East Indian idea that we have forgotten who or what we really are through identifying ourselves with the individual personality. The person or "persona" is also discussed as the social or dramatic mask assumed in daily life.

8. Queries And Sources

29m

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Alan Watts reveals his research resources for the series of Eastern Wisdom and Modern Life thus far, and he answers questions about points in the previous programs. He recommends books for further study.

9. Pain

26m

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Alan Watts discusses the Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist ideas about physical and moral pain, emphasizing the art of accepting pain by ridding it of its contextual associations.

10. Nonsense

27m

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Sense or meaning is a property ascribed to symbols rather than the real word. Alan Watts uses this differentiation as a prelude to the Taoist and Zen Buddhist idea of the perfectly "purposeless" life and its parallels in Christianity.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish

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