6 months clean off meth today! I shaved my head to release all that horrible past and I feel so positive! NA and a sponsor helped me. Breaking up with my ex who introduced meth to me, ditching those friends, ditching all that. Starting anew.
Isn’t it a miraculous feeling to know that when your day comes you will enter with a more ‘together’ you. I think you understand because it’s not easy to articulate what we know!! God’s speed
It's because your decision and your will is what created the problem, of drinking to much... that's why I have a power greater than myself, which allows me to overcome drinking by surrendering to his will. God I offer myself to thee -- to build with me and to do with me as thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love, and Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always!
This is spot on. You just realise one day that you can't do it - your will, your ego, cannot do it. You surrender to this powerlessness. You open yourself to the help of a power greater than yourself, whatever that may mean. Suddenly power is available to you. You had to give in to win.
I did it. I quit smoking. exactly as he says here. without deciding to do it. one evening I realized while smoking that it wasn't actually helping my anxiety issues anymore. So I thought upon realizing this, "Oh! I see....." And that's it. I hangout with my friends who all smoke, but I just don't, I drink the tea but don't pick up the cigarette anymore. RIP Alan. The world needs more of you.
I suffered from addictive patterns and behaviors for about four years when I had my awakening. The longer I kept identifying with the false identification of my ego, it created a hamster wheel for more of my suffering and struggles. It left me feeling completely powerless. When you are in this illusion of ego (the mind), you feel inclined to look everywhere else but within yourself, always looking for and chasing this “better version of yourself” that you’ll always be in desperate search of. So technically there isn’t an answer or a formula you could apply to eliminate any form of addiction or end your sufferings, it’s really just bringing your awareness that the ego (which is causing the addiction) has only been created through our programming and conditioning as a human consciousness so therefore, it’s just illusion and it’s limiting you on who and what you really are and holding you back on freeing yourself from it. It’s a form of surrender, like he speaks about. Letting go of who you thought you were and what you let control you and your life to bringing your awareness to a place within, recognizing the truth of who you are, freeing yourself from the confinements of who and what you used to identify with. Unlocking your potential… Alan Watts and Eckharts teachings saved me from this and my sufferings. It’s a lot but once you resonate with it, you just get it. 👁
In esoteric teachings, the statement "In silence and self-confidence, you will find salvation" holds deep significance and can be explored from a spiritual perspective. Let's delve into an esoteric expansion of this statement: Silence as Inner Stillness: Silence is not merely the absence of external noise but also a state of inner stillness. It represents the quieting of the mind, the cessation of incessant mental chatter, and the cultivation of a serene and receptive inner space. Through silence, one can connect with the deeper aspects of oneself and attune to the subtle realms of consciousness. Self-Confidence as Spiritual Trust: Self-confidence in this context refers to a profound trust in one's own inherent divinity and spiritual nature. It is a recognition of the infinite potential and wisdom that resides within. This self-confidence arises from a deep knowing that one is connected to a greater spiritual reality and possesses the inner resources to navigate life's challenges and seek spiritual growth. Salvation as Liberation and Wholeness: In esoteric philosophy, salvation encompasses the liberation of the soul from the limitations of the egoic self and the realization of its true nature. It is the journey towards wholeness, inner harmony, and alignment with higher spiritual truths. Salvation is not external deliverance but an internal process of awakening and self-realization. The Power of Silence: Silence has the ability to quiet the noise of the external world and the distractions of the egoic mind. In the stillness of silence, one can access deeper levels of consciousness, intuition, and spiritual insight. It is within this sacred space that profound wisdom, guidance, and inner transformation can unfold. Self-Confidence as Inner Knowing: Self-confidence, rooted in spiritual trust, allows one to tap into their intuition and inner knowing. It enables the recognition of one's unique path and purpose, empowering them to make aligned choices and take courageous steps towards spiritual growth and self-realization. In summary, the esoteric expansion of the statement suggests that through the cultivation of inner silence and self-confidence, one can find salvation-a deep spiritual liberation and wholeness. By embracing silence, stillness, and self-trust, individuals can access their inner wisdom, connect with higher spiritual truths, and embark on a transformative journey towards self-realization and spiritual awakening.🤔🤔
I am celebrating 1 yr, 7 months of sobriety today. Everyday is a recovery day, it is a lifetime and its difficult yet I remain and will not fall back to that life ever again. Too much at risk, too much to lose. To all those struggling with sobriety, I pray for your recovery as well 🙏🏽❤💪🏽 Never give up
I'm almost 8 years without a drink. In a way, I feel as though I'm getting to a point like the Archer descibrd in the video. Quick and easily avoiding drinking without thinking much of it. Yet sometimes emotions almost overtake me. I also smoke cigarettes like an expert archer, hopefully I can master not smoking soon.
@@itsirrelevant4565I recommend Allen Carr's book Easy way to stop smoking. By the time I finished that book I was free. It's been nine years and I've not missed cigarettes since, instead when I see someone smoking I think to myself how glad I am that I no longer have to do it. Best luck to ya.
I've been sober since December 1984. It's not impossible, and I don't attend any 12 step programs. What I do have is a deep abiding respect for myself and those I care about. No God is necessary for me to achieve this at least for me, but there are many that claim it can be no other way. It's a personal choice in the end. Good luck to you in all your endeavors 👍
Someone who really loves me shared this with me tonight. I've listened to it 10x now, and I can't stop crying. Tomorrow is my 32 birthday and as a gift to myself I've decided to never touch alcohol again. I have struggled with alcohism for a very long time. Im ready to let it go.
I wish you every success, but don't be too hard on yourself, it's one day at a time, if you done better today than yesterday - congratulate yourself and set your own marker 💫
Alan Watts was a giant. But he was also a human, no better than you or myself. His alcoholism killed him. In moments of sobriety, he may have thought *he* was electing to drink but that is the thing about addiction: it takes away any kind of clear decision making. His point about Zen is everywhere else in his lectures, so I'll not comment on that. I just want to say, he was human, guys. He had foibles. You don't have to defend them. You have to learn to accept them and, guess what, still see him as a giant.
Yes. Like Trungpa, Watts was an alcoholic, who died of alcoholism. (And I don't buy any of that 'crazy wisdom' crap to excuse either man's behaviour. Trungpa was a lot worse than Watts in his addictions and behaviour, by all accounts.) This is a reminder of the classic Zen advice: do not confuse the finger pointing at the Moon with the Moon itself.
I used to love listening to Watts but I realized that Watts speeches are to the intellect what meditation is to our own inner knowing that is latent in all of us. If people just meditated many of the profound thoughts that Watts expertly communicated would arise naturally within themselves.
Many years ago I was an aid in an alcohol rehab. I saw firsthand that people often quit suddenly. They just woke up one day and something had clicked in their psyche that said they were done drinking. Most of them, that I had the privilege of following, never drank again. I have known friends and relatives who experienced the same phenomenon. I have experienced it myself. Having had many conversations about this with others who shared the experience, none of us could ever come up with a reason that this occurred. I firmly believe that there is no outside force or inside force that can make someone turn around. There is some unknown force that we do not yet understand. Yet another one of life's many mysteries.😀
Alcoholism is a socially constructed label. Whether we think he was an "alcoholic" or not, or whether he tried to quit or not is irrelevant. It's not about alcoholism, it's about letting go and this was his message. We cannot be graced into nirvana by quitting "bad" habits and being "good" but rather by abandoning all efforts to be "good" and allowing ourselves to know and become who we really are. Enlightened people still eat, drink, sleep, laugh and smile.
@@hbrotha1866 Good luck to both of you. I'm sorry you're going through alcohol problems. I have a family member with a very serious alcohol problem who I have been trying to help. I wish you guys the best, and I know you can definitely stop drinking and I hope you do. Good luck to you and all the others battling alcohol or any other addictions, you guys got this.
The very first step to recovery is being truthful about your dependency. Once you end the denial then excuses lying and manipulation will begin to diminish and you’ll be ready to change. However, if you continue to use past issues, whatever they may be to justify continuing on with using, then you will be controlled by the maelstroms of your own making. Don’t let your wake drive the boat. Being in the present by doing the contrary actions will help end the cycle. One moment, hour,day at a time will make the difference. Be sure and seek out others who also are willing to change because this gives you hope. I would be lying if I said it was easy, but it is very much possible. I have over 5 years of sobriety and I can say without hesitation I have never been more contented connected and happy. I never thought in my wildest dreams this would come to pass. I am grateful every day that I’m not a slave to my addiction anymore.
Interesting how great minds like Alan had advice for others on many subjects of their sorrow, and how to overcome it easily, yet they somehow failed to apply the same advice to themselves.
@max bryan There are some unanswerable questions which lead us to some unanswerable behaviors. Those who stop can really never know why just as those who don't will never really know why. I know that because I really don't know me. I'm an unanswerable question.
I think it’s important to note that Watts was a spiritual entertainer by his own description. If you’re addicted, depending on the specifics of your context, there’s probably a good chance you can change your behaviour. Watts’ sole intention was to entertain. The editor of a lot of these hyper theatrical videos, their intention is to entertain. The actual process of modulating one’s own behaviour can be simple or complex and can’t be figured out in four minutes with an excerpt of a monologue and cinematic music.
❤wow I pray for my man to let go of the drinking and become awakened spiritually awakened to understand how much he is loved and how much that he needs to let that burden go at the drinking is an addiction that he's got to let go not only to realize it's harming his mind his body his Spirit but it's harming the others around him❤❤❤
the paradoxical aspect of all of this is the fact that Alan Watts was a lifelong alcohol drinker and later in his life- an alcohol addict, and he never got rid of it. People close to him apparently used to be very concerned over it aswell.
It's because your decision and your will are what created the problem of drinking too much... that's why I have a power greater than myself, which allows me to overcome drinking by surrendering to his will. God I offer myself to thee -- to build with me and to do with me as thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love, and Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always!
I don't agree. Addictions are so powerful. He never says, 'Here is how I stopped my addiction,' he simply talks about the difficulty in stopping and how it can happen. I mean I can tell you how a famous artist got his inspiration to paint a masterpiece, even what material he used and what technique he used, where he practiced, etc. And you could find that information helpful, even though I don't have any works hanging in a large museum.
The thing is no one ever overcomes addiction in the same sense the no one ever becomes enlightened. "Who" is it that is overcoming anything, who is it that is becoming enlightened. That is the understanding that can free "you" from the illusion of control.
This is working for me. I have recently started to take part in 12 step programs for sex addiction and overeating. The first step is admitting we are powerless over our addiction and our lives are unmanageable. Now that I am beginning to acknowledge that no matter how much I try I simply cannot overcome my addictions, they are now beginning to fade away. Im 'letting go' and trusting that God will free me. I no longer try to control anything, I just pray to God asking Him to do it for me. For the first time in the past 30 years I now go days at a time without any urges or desire to act out. Of course it hasnt been 100% perfect since day one. When my ego gets in the way and I start fighting again it gets me. But now I feel more trusting in that God will do what I can't, I no longer feel a slave to my addictions. To not even feel tempted or feeling like I have to white knuckle and grit my teeth trying to resist is mindblowing. Theres countless people in my programs who are sober for decades all because they admitted they cant fight it.
The music really takes away from the ability to really LISTEN to the message,which is unfortunate, because the message is profound and truly the KEY to living.
Can someone please link me to this lecture WITHOUT the damn music please? I don't understand why so many people place unnecessary background music to alan watts lectures!,
My oldest brother was what I'd call a functioning alcoholic. However, he absolutely enjoyed his drink and to my knowledge he never had the desire to give up alcohol.
I believe that there is really no answer there just is and we are masters of our own life only if we choose to be or not to be at the end of the day it's our choice and we will own whatever that choice is goddamn it. Stay blessed and truthful
@seektoavoidfinding brother, when I was in my 20s I was listening to Alan watts and guided meditations from eckhart tolle and searching for answers. In my 30s I lost that interest. I drank alcohol in excess and it has done serious spiritual damage. Let go, no think is coming back.
😂😂😂😂 you poor thing. So what you’re saying here is people CHOOSE to end up in jails, hospitals, institutions, prisons, lose their families, friends, go broke, end up homeless, prostitute themselves, commit crimes, die and or go insane. All of that and so much more is people choosing that? I can assure you both as a 10 year sober person and and alcohol and addiction therapist, no one chooses that for themselves. Alcoholism and addiction are thankfully now in the DSM 5 listed as a mental illness. What you’re saying is the same as saying “cancer is a choice. Homelessness is a choice. Sucking dick for drugs and alcohol is a choice.” Riiiiiight. It’s powerlessness. We can’t not do what we do and most people pursue it into the gates of insanity and death, but, many also found a solution in 12 step process. It works when nothing else does or will.
@@plotofland2928yep. We can seemingly choose what we will do but we cannot choose what we will choose. Choice has been documented and researched as occurring 6-8 seconds before the egoic mind claims to have “made a choice.”
Andrew. You listen to him perhaps because you know something intuitively that you are yet to know consciously. And that is, booze or a drug is not the addiction. Those are the symptoms of the addiction. The real addiction is to avoidance - the avoidance of pain. So we can never judge because we have no idea of another's pain. And that becomes even more truthful when we recognize that most often we ourselves do not recognize the existence and origin of our own pain.
We all know the "answers" and "solutions" intellectually, but to put the theory into practice..that's the hard part.That's when you really meet yourself and find that you're not as wise and clever as you've deluded yourself to believe.
Addict knows how to overcome the addiction but they couldn't, I don't care about him addicted to something but he knew the way to get rid of addiction..May be it wouldn't help him but for some like the starters, sure it will work.
In esoteric teachings, the statement "In silence and self-confidence, you will find salvation" holds deep significance and can be explored from a spiritual perspective. Let's delve into an esoteric expansion of this statement: Silence as Inner Stillness: Silence is not merely the absence of external noise but also a state of inner stillness. It represents the quieting of the mind, the cessation of incessant mental chatter, and the cultivation of a serene and receptive inner space. Through silence, one can connect with the deeper aspects of oneself and attune to the subtle realms of consciousness. Self-Confidence as Spiritual Trust: Self-confidence in this context refers to a profound trust in one's own inherent divinity and spiritual nature. It is a recognition of the infinite potential and wisdom that resides within. This self-confidence arises from a deep knowing that one is connected to a greater spiritual reality and possesses the inner resources to navigate life's challenges and seek spiritual growth. Salvation as Liberation and Wholeness: In esoteric philosophy, salvation encompasses the liberation of the soul from the limitations of the egoic self and the realization of its true nature. It is the journey towards wholeness, inner harmony, and alignment with higher spiritual truths. Salvation is not external deliverance but an internal process of awakening and self-realization. The Power of Silence: Silence has the ability to quiet the noise of the external world and the distractions of the egoic mind. In the stillness of silence, one can access deeper levels of consciousness, intuition, and spiritual insight. It is within this sacred space that profound wisdom, guidance, and inner transformation can unfold. Self-Confidence as Inner Knowing: Self-confidence, rooted in spiritual trust, allows one to tap into their intuition and inner knowing. It enables the recognition of one's unique path and purpose, empowering them to make aligned choices and take courageous steps towards spiritual growth and self-realization. In summary, the esoteric expansion of the statement suggests that through the cultivation of inner silence and self-confidence, one can find salvation-a deep spiritual liberation and wholeness. By embracing silence, stillness, and self-trust, individuals can access their inner wisdom, connect with higher spiritual truths, and embark on a transformative journey towards self-realization and spiritual awakening.🤔🤔
In esoteric teachings, the statement "In silence and self-confidence, you will find salvation" holds deep significance and can be explored from a spiritual perspective. Let's delve into an esoteric expansion of this statement: Silence as Inner Stillness: Silence is not merely the absence of external noise but also a state of inner stillness. It represents the quieting of the mind, the cessation of incessant mental chatter, and the cultivation of a serene and receptive inner space. Through silence, one can connect with the deeper aspects of oneself and attune to the subtle realms of consciousness. Self-Confidence as Spiritual Trust: Self-confidence in this context refers to a profound trust in one's own inherent divinity and spiritual nature. It is a recognition of the infinite potential and wisdom that resides within. This self-confidence arises from a deep knowing that one is connected to a greater spiritual reality and possesses the inner resources to navigate life's challenges and seek spiritual growth. Salvation as Liberation and Wholeness: In esoteric philosophy, salvation encompasses the liberation of the soul from the limitations of the egoic self and the realization of its true nature. It is the journey towards wholeness, inner harmony, and alignment with higher spiritual truths. Salvation is not external deliverance but an internal process of awakening and self-realization. The Power of Silence: Silence has the ability to quiet the noise of the external world and the distractions of the egoic mind. In the stillness of silence, one can access deeper levels of consciousness, intuition, and spiritual insight. It is within this sacred space that profound wisdom, guidance, and inner transformation can unfold. Self-Confidence as Inner Knowing: Self-confidence, rooted in spiritual trust, allows one to tap into their intuition and inner knowing. It enables the recognition of one's unique path and purpose, empowering them to make aligned choices and take courageous steps towards spiritual growth and self-realization. In summary, the esoteric expansion of the statement suggests that through the cultivation of inner silence and self-confidence, one can find salvation-a deep spiritual liberation and wholeness. By embracing silence, stillness, and self-trust, individuals can access their inner wisdom, connect with higher spiritual truths, and embark on a transformative journey towards self-realization and spiritual awakening.🤔🤔
In hindsight the music is a little loud, my bad on that. But beyond that it goes well with the talk and video imo. Also Alan Watts did drink, but he didn't make it into a problem.
I agree with Alan when he said he's just an entertainer. The video is proof of it. It amazes me how he twisted ZEN IN THE ART OF ARCHERY to fulfill his spun message.
The best defence for an addict is an ex addict. Everyone can give advice Alan but you died an addict. Thanks to the person who leftva commemt with real recovery talk. "Ego"
When he died in his 50s, Alan Watts was downing at least a whole bottle of vodka a day. He had been an alcoholic (& heavy smoker) for many years. According to his daughter he ended up in the hospital a few times with delirium tremens. While he never attempted a full philosophical justification of his alcoholism (he actually hid it from the public), he *did* covertly attempt a partial justification of it via a defense of hedonism in the context of eastern thought. This would provide just enough justification to protect his sense of self from the low status afforded to alcoholics and thus protect the rest of his valuable output - his intelligent exposition, interpretation and modern application of at least some aspects of eastern philosophy to a western public. Aided of course by his mesmerizing voice and articulation. It wasn’t that Alan Watts’ hedonistic (mis)interpretations of eastern thought were the main motivator behind his alcoholism (+heavy smoking). It was the other way around It was his alcoholism (+heavy smoking) that were the main motivator behind his specious interpretations of (certain aspects of) ascetic philosophies like Buddhism & Taoism; of rationalizations amounting to “oh well you can’t improve yourself anyways (so let me drink up)”. The issue is further complicated by the fact that drug addiction generally, including alcoholism, do have some arguably Taoistic elements (or potential), in the sense that they can indeed diminish worldly ambition and material pursuits, which are reductions in very problematic areas of desire. After all, the Taoist way: **Empties people’s hearts Fills their bellies Weakens their ambitions.** (Tao Te Ching ch. 3) We could imagine a world where everyone was a junkie just growing food, opium and fermenting alcohol- focused mostly on their next fix or their next drink-with all other ambitions and projects discarded or greatly subdued. Such a world might sound dystopian, but it would lead to far smaller environmental footprint, greatly diminishing the colossal suffering associated with countless species extinctions. Thus it would be far more in “harmony with nature”, and by virtue of its focus on “visceral hedonism” more embracing of “simplicity” - rejecting many categories of desire. And while this “narcotized” world would come at the cost of a great decrease in human lifespan (& population), it is perhaps even arguable that such a world would amount to no greater human suffering than the one we currently have. Whatever the ostensibly Taoist aspects of this unlikely and imaginary world of viscerally hedonic individuals, the Taoist potential of “viscerally hedonic” tendencies in the real world is far more partial and ambiguous- whether at the individual or collective level. And more to the point, it is by and large incompatible with the actual content of Taoist and Buddhist texts, all of which have an ascetic emphasis. What Watts does is downplay or reframe the ascetic aspects of these philosophies, which then lends related aspects (like Wu Wei) to a hedonistic re-interpretation. He might, for instance, reframe the notion of reducing desire as an attempt to *completely* get rid of desire- then adding the facile “aha” observation that it’s a contradiction to “desire getting rid of desire”. From this he will imply that reducing desire is self-defeating (even though ch. 64 of the Tao Te Ching says “sages desire not to desire”). The flaw of this “argument” is obvious once we translate it into real world situations: e.g. the desire to drink less than the whole bottle of vodka Watts used to drink daily was self-defeating because it’s as much of a “desire” as the “desire” to drink the whole bottle. Watts even implied that his binge drinking + chain smoking were actually a “triumph of humanity“ and “full humanness”, the honest realization of “irreducible rascality”, of “being both angel and devil, both reasonable and passionate, both mystic and sensuous”-dropping false and harmful “pretenses [to] sainthood”. In other words, he better not abstain from drinking that whole bottle of vodka or he would be pretending to be some fictitious enlightened saint and missing out on this “triumph of humanity” and “full humanness”. This hedonic “full humanness” can now be made compatible with parts of ch. 19 of the Tao Te Ching: **Throw away holiness and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times happier. Throw away morality and justice, and people will do the right thing.** Watts’ apparent translation: “If I throw away sobriety, binge drink & chain smoke I’ll do the right thing & be 100 times happier.” Even if we optimistically assumed a reduction in harmful wordly ambitions brought about by a focus on visceral hedonism, there are familiar pitfalls such as hedonic treadmills & collateral damage from the resulting heedlessness. Certainly in areas like alcoholism + smoking we have pretty solid medical evidence of the reduction in calming brain chemicals like GABA overtime leading to greater anxiety- as well as the negative pain-to-pleasure ratio (hyperalgesia) brought about by the physical damage caused by alcohol (+ tobacco). And of course some individuals become more prone to violence when under the influence of alcohol. Watts dowplayed this violent tendency as well, praising the “civilizing” social lubricant role that wine drinking had in Mediterranean regions- indirectly legitimizing his own excessive drinking by framing it in terms of pro-social behavior. This was also self-serving in a different way, because his alcoholism was not representative of that of an average individual. Watts was said to be a social “happy drunk”. Many alcoholics are of course not necessarily social and not necessarily peaceful when they drink. Most do not have the wit and charisma of an Alan Watts, nor the social status that would allow them to avoid social stigma. In any case, on the positive side one can say that even with his bias for visceral (& aesthetic) hedonism -as evident by his comments on a preferable “robust material culture” in this video th-cam.com/video/jgqL9n6kZc8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wVAIjliyYNRghTTB Watts’ critique of modern society is largely valid-even while he downplays the fact that our addiction to what he calls the “contemplation of a twittering screen” stems largely from the same escapism as his alcoholism. Furthermore, as Watts knew, it is unrealistic and even unnatural to expect the masses to become ascetic. And given his preference for a more participatory (anarcho-communist Kropotkin-esque) society, he thought the best form of hedonism would be of a more pro-social character, leaning toward things like celebration, music and alcohol. This political consideration was likely also a factor in his downplaying of Taoist & Buddhist asceticism, although it ranked, in my estimation, substantially below his own alcoholism. If we consider the work of Ernest Becker, we can conclude that humans do indeed need to escape into some other reality in order to avoid the insignificance represented by death. In primitive society, the natural asceticism brought about by material scarcity facilitated a strong sense of spirituality or cosmic significance- of course aided by religious myth. Despite our scientific disillusionment with religious myths, the ascetic practices of eastern thought may still be able to facilitate a certain sense of spirituality or cosmic significance which may constitute our best form of escapism in the modern era.
What he is talking about; as hard as it seems it may well be the easiest thing to do for a certain type of ego. The 'indecisive' personality. I would often ponder and decide upon a menu item and when the waiter is taking my order , a complete different order than what I planned emerges out of my mouth... Or sometimes I am unable to decide and I reach the counter, my turn is suddenly upon me and I am surprised by what I say because I hadn't 'decided' yet. I quit alcohol by surprising myself and turning down a drink. Every time I did it , I was suprised until enough time had passed that friends started asking if i had quit drinking. I didnt know what to say because I hadn't quite done it, yet I no longer drink alcohol. There was no conscious decision apart from the in the moment action/decision to turn down a drink. I hope this makes sense and I hope it helps. Of course, I appreciate that addiction is not a simple matter. I also quit cigarettes after smoking for just over 20 years really heavily. It's been 7yrs now though I dont usually count. I don't know that smoker at all.
Congratulations! 🎉❤ Could you elaborate a little more on what happened exactly, internally and/or externally? How did you manage to stay in the state after the first day, two, three etc.?
@@jsure8786 Got sick of seeing myself all bloated and unhealthy. High blood pressure, prediabetes. Put my foot down and decided enough of letting substances control me. Gave up sugar and 90% of carbs too. TH-cam Dr Berg and learn about nutrition. Beer leached lots of nutrients out. One minute at a time, got easier week by week. Some heavy alcoholics can go into shock, so see a Dr.
I don't drink anymore (or any less lol). Seriously though, I did give up alcohol. It wasn't a red letter day, it's not even marked on a calendar. I'm not counting the days, months or years. I don't even remember when I stopped. Doesn't matter.
Yes... i'v been looking videos to overcome my adicction to pornography, and this is the only one advice that give me a solution, after struggling with this for about 3 years
Dam this is deep. It does work though I’ve done it without realising when stopping smoking. Don’t plan rather wait for the day when you just think I’m going to do it right now.
I have been addicted from the age of 16. Pretty much every day for 9 years I'm 25 and it has destroyed my life, relationships etc. Today i will stop. Ill hold myself accountable
How are you doing brother? Did you do it? If not don't be ashamed theres always today. I'm asking how you are doing because I care about you, you are me and I am you, started same age but still going at almost 30. Hope to hear from you
@@DudeOnFireee I care about you too brother. I am doing much better, i feel at peace with my mind. I walk 12,500 steps per day and I'm playing football (soccer) 3 times a week, so that keeps my busy and gives me a goal How are you doing I hope that you can overcome your demons, in fact I don't hope i know that you will.
In AW defense he accurately described himself as a 'spiritual entertainer', not as a guru to be followed. I did find that I stopped drinking tonight for 90 seconds - just like that - without even trying.
Alan would tell he you was an alchoholic and it was a concious choice. The first steps to THIS Committment of overcoming addiction is to be aware of the damage you have caused, inward and outward. The first steps is finding something to love, be that yourself or others. THEN you do what is said in this video. You aware of what will happen if you can't do it
His actual cause of death was cardiac vascular disease. Research this. Perhaps from drinking, yet not so severe it killed him. Besides something gonna get ya!!!
I did decide what day I would stop. but I think that was the only decision I made. That date came after the knowing that Alan refers to. it was just a technical drawing of a line in the sand..
![fellow fellow - พรุ่งนี้ไม่มีใครรู้ feat. INK WARUNTORN [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QP6JyjYx_W0/mqdefault.jpg)
6 months clean off meth today! I shaved my head to release all that horrible past and I feel so positive! NA and a sponsor helped me. Breaking up with my ex who introduced meth to me, ditching those friends, ditching all that. Starting anew.
Good for you. I hope you're happy and doing well right now.
Good shit man, rooting for ya 🎉
Thanks guys. 1 yr 4 months, still have some depression and anxiety but on the right track.
@@HomemakerDazegood for you mate!
Well done!
@@HomemakerDazerooting for you mate. Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺
6 STRAIGHT YEARS CLEAN AFTER 30 STRAIGHT YEARS ON MORPHINE. HAD NO IDEA I COULD STOP. MY ENSLAVEMENT IS OVER. FOREVER. HALLELUJAH.
Isn’t it a miraculous feeling to know that when your day comes you will enter with a more ‘together’ you. I think you understand because it’s not easy to articulate what we know!! God’s speed
It's because your decision and your will is what created the problem, of drinking to much... that's why I have a power greater than myself, which allows me to overcome drinking by surrendering to his will.
God I offer myself to thee -- to build with me and to do with me as thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love, and Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always!
I hope you enjoy this day as much or more than all the rest you have ahead! ❤️
Praise be, and peace and love be upon you. I hope you are still well today, and know that no matter what you are Forgiven and never alone.
Oh Alan I do love you where ever you are
This is spot on. You just realise one day that you can't do it - your will, your ego, cannot do it. You surrender to this powerlessness. You open yourself to the help of a power greater than yourself, whatever that may mean. Suddenly power is available to you. You had to give in to win.
I did it. I quit smoking. exactly as he says here. without deciding to do it. one evening I realized while smoking that it wasn't actually helping my anxiety issues anymore. So I thought upon realizing this, "Oh! I see....."
And that's it. I hangout with my friends who all smoke, but I just don't, I drink the tea but don't pick up the cigarette anymore.
RIP Alan. The world needs more of you.
I suffered from addictive patterns and behaviors for about four years when I had my awakening. The longer I kept identifying with the false identification of my ego, it created a hamster wheel for more of my suffering and struggles. It left me feeling completely powerless. When you are in this illusion of ego (the mind), you feel inclined to look everywhere else but within yourself, always looking for and chasing this “better version of yourself” that you’ll always be in desperate search of. So technically there isn’t an answer or a formula you could apply to eliminate any form of addiction or end your sufferings, it’s really just bringing your awareness that the ego (which is causing the addiction) has only been created through our programming and conditioning as a human consciousness so therefore, it’s just illusion and it’s limiting you on who and what you really are and holding you back on freeing yourself from it. It’s a form of surrender, like he speaks about. Letting go of who you thought you were and what you let control you and your life to bringing your awareness to a place within, recognizing the truth of who you are, freeing yourself from the confinements of who and what you used to identify with. Unlocking your potential… Alan Watts and Eckharts teachings saved me from this and my sufferings. It’s a lot but once you resonate with it, you just get it. 👁
❤
🙌🏼🙏🏼
In esoteric teachings, the statement "In silence and self-confidence, you will find salvation" holds deep significance and can be explored from a spiritual perspective. Let's delve into an esoteric expansion of this statement:
Silence as Inner Stillness: Silence is not merely the absence of external noise but also a state of inner stillness. It represents the quieting of the mind, the cessation of incessant mental chatter, and the cultivation of a serene and receptive inner space. Through silence, one can connect with the deeper aspects of oneself and attune to the subtle realms of consciousness.
Self-Confidence as Spiritual Trust: Self-confidence in this context refers to a profound trust in one's own inherent divinity and spiritual nature. It is a recognition of the infinite potential and wisdom that resides within. This self-confidence arises from a deep knowing that one is connected to a greater spiritual reality and possesses the inner resources to navigate life's challenges and seek spiritual growth.
Salvation as Liberation and Wholeness: In esoteric philosophy, salvation encompasses the liberation of the soul from the limitations of the egoic self and the realization of its true nature. It is the journey towards wholeness, inner harmony, and alignment with higher spiritual truths. Salvation is not external deliverance but an internal process of awakening and self-realization.
The Power of Silence: Silence has the ability to quiet the noise of the external world and the distractions of the egoic mind. In the stillness of silence, one can access deeper levels of consciousness, intuition, and spiritual insight. It is within this sacred space that profound wisdom, guidance, and inner transformation can unfold.
Self-Confidence as Inner Knowing: Self-confidence, rooted in spiritual trust, allows one to tap into their intuition and inner knowing. It enables the recognition of one's unique path and purpose, empowering them to make aligned choices and take courageous steps towards spiritual growth and self-realization.
In summary, the esoteric expansion of the statement suggests that through the cultivation of inner silence and self-confidence, one can find salvation-a deep spiritual liberation and wholeness. By embracing silence, stillness, and self-trust, individuals can access their inner wisdom, connect with higher spiritual truths, and embark on a transformative journey towards self-realization and spiritual awakening.🤔🤔
well played. This is the way
Well written 💯🙏😎
I am celebrating 1 yr, 7 months of sobriety today. Everyday is a recovery day, it is a lifetime and its difficult yet I remain and will not fall back to that life ever again. Too much at risk, too much to lose. To all those struggling with sobriety, I pray for your recovery as well 🙏🏽❤💪🏽 Never give up
I'm almost 8 years without a drink. In a way, I feel as though I'm getting to a point like the Archer descibrd in the video. Quick and easily avoiding drinking without thinking much of it. Yet sometimes emotions almost overtake me. I also smoke cigarettes like an expert archer, hopefully I can master not smoking soon.
@@itsirrelevant4565I recommend Allen Carr's book Easy way to stop smoking. By the time I finished that book I was free. It's been nine years and I've not missed cigarettes since, instead when I see someone smoking I think to myself how glad I am that I no longer have to do it. Best luck to ya.
I've been sober since December 1984. It's not impossible, and I don't attend any 12 step programs. What I do have is a deep abiding respect for myself and those I care about. No God is necessary for me to achieve this at least for me, but there are many that claim it can be no other way. It's a personal choice in the end. Good luck to you in all your endeavors 👍
Thank for not using God.
Someone who really loves me shared this with me tonight. I've listened to it 10x now, and I can't stop crying. Tomorrow is my 32 birthday and as a gift to myself I've decided to never touch alcohol again. I have struggled with alcohism for a very long time. Im ready to let it go.
I wish you every success, but don't be too hard on yourself, it's one day at a time, if you done better today than yesterday - congratulate yourself and set your own marker 💫
How r u doing
I am almost 32. I have been drinking since 11. Take it one day at a time. I’ve been struggling also to stay sober. It’s not easy but worth it
He died of alcoholism
I hope you are seven months abstinent now.
Alan Watts was a giant. But he was also a human, no better than you or myself. His alcoholism killed him. In moments of sobriety, he may have thought *he* was electing to drink but that is the thing about addiction: it takes away any kind of clear decision making. His point about Zen is everywhere else in his lectures, so I'll not comment on that. I just want to say, he was human, guys. He had foibles. You don't have to defend them. You have to learn to accept them and, guess what, still see him as a giant.
Yes. Like Trungpa, Watts was an alcoholic, who died of alcoholism. (And I don't buy any of that 'crazy wisdom' crap to excuse either man's behaviour. Trungpa was a lot worse than Watts in his addictions and behaviour, by all accounts.)
This is a reminder of the classic Zen advice: do not confuse the finger pointing at the Moon with the Moon itself.
Thankyou. 🙏☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
WELL PUT. WELL SAID. WE ALL ALL GOT DEMONS. ?????? yes or no
I used to love listening to Watts but I realized that Watts speeches are to the intellect what meditation is to our own inner knowing that is latent in all of us. If people just meditated many of the profound thoughts that Watts expertly communicated would arise naturally within themselves.
@@Mcgif21 yes if we were taught this in school
‘Cause who do you think the devil is !! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Mind
Many years ago I was an aid in an alcohol rehab. I saw firsthand that people often quit suddenly. They just woke up one day and something had clicked in their psyche that said they were done drinking. Most of them, that I had the privilege of following, never drank again. I have known friends and relatives who experienced the same phenomenon. I have experienced it myself. Having had many conversations about this with others who shared the experience, none of us could ever come up with a reason that this occurred. I firmly believe that there is no outside force or inside force that can make someone turn around. There is some unknown force that we do not yet understand. Yet another one of life's many mysteries.😀
Supremely Ironic considering how Alan Watts died. Thats why i love him. He was human❤
Thanks Alan, will leave my addiction from now on.
Yes! Jan. 5. Just dropped it. No alcohol. No discussion. Done. Over. Thank you!
And now?
@@youarewhatyourelookingfor4496 This coming Jan 5 will be 2 years. Feeling blessed and free of that poison!
This video came in the right moment
It took a life threatening issue that i could only find the courage to give up drinking 5yrs clean today ❤
“Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.” - Master Yoda
To try is to lie…
The Japanese used to say "you learn technique to forget it!"
"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try."
That's what worked for you.
Alan with the wisdom! 🙏
Alan Watts, OG 100%
Alcoholism is a socially constructed label. Whether we think he was an "alcoholic" or not, or whether he tried to quit or not is irrelevant. It's not about alcoholism, it's about letting go and this was his message. We cannot be graced into nirvana by quitting "bad" habits and being "good" but rather by abandoning all efforts to be "good" and allowing ourselves to know and become who we really are. Enlightened people still eat, drink, sleep, laugh and smile.
This guy gets it
One thing worth remembering - there was probably some point in one's life, however long ago, that one was not addicted to whatever it is.
Alcohol has destroyed my life. And those I cherish dearly.
I'm really sorry to hear that... I wish you know you are more than the habit..
I’m battling as well 😢
@@hbrotha1866 Good luck to both of you. I'm sorry you're going through alcohol problems. I have a family member with a very serious alcohol problem who I have been trying to help. I wish you guys the best, and I know you can definitely stop drinking and I hope you do. Good luck to you and all the others battling alcohol or any other addictions, you guys got this.
You wrote that here, so it's not over yet. That was true for me the MANY times I wrote the same thing. It's no longer true today.
The very first step to recovery is being truthful about your dependency. Once you end the denial then excuses lying and manipulation will begin to diminish and you’ll be ready to change. However, if you continue to use past issues, whatever they may be to justify continuing on with using, then you will be controlled by the maelstroms of your own making. Don’t let your wake drive the boat. Being in the present by doing the contrary actions will help end the cycle. One moment, hour,day at a time will make the difference. Be sure and seek out others who also are willing to change because this gives you hope.
I would be lying if I said it was easy, but it is very much possible. I have over 5 years of sobriety and I can say without hesitation I have never been more contented connected and happy. I never thought in my wildest dreams this would come to pass. I am grateful every day that I’m not a slave to my addiction anymore.
Terrific stuff!!! 🔥🔥🔥
I did this, exactly as Alan said, if you're mind's true unadulterated power could only be realized, thank you Alan.
We all are! But such a brilliant Man❤
Interesting how great minds like Alan had advice for others on many subjects of their sorrow, and how to overcome it easily, yet they somehow failed to apply the same advice to themselves.
Jordan Peterson included
You are the devil hes talking about. Get lost.
@@design4leathercom739 how so?
Was scrolling for this comment. All I can think of is that he didn’t want to quit..
@max bryan There are some unanswerable questions which lead us to some unanswerable behaviors. Those who stop can really never know why just as those who don't will never really know why. I know that because I really don't know me. I'm an unanswerable question.
🦁 thanks for the info 🙂
Amazing, thank you!
I think it’s important to note that Watts was a spiritual entertainer by his own description. If you’re addicted, depending on the specifics of your context, there’s probably a good chance you can change your behaviour. Watts’ sole intention was to entertain. The editor of a lot of these hyper theatrical videos, their intention is to entertain. The actual process of modulating one’s own behaviour can be simple or complex and can’t be figured out in four minutes with an excerpt of a monologue and cinematic music.
Awesome. Thank you for sharing
❤wow I pray for my man to let go of the drinking and become awakened spiritually awakened to understand how much he is loved and how much that he needs to let that burden go at the drinking is an addiction that he's got to let go not only to realize it's harming his mind his body his Spirit but it's harming the others around him❤❤❤
I sent this video to him and pray that he will listen and understand because he loves listening to Alan Watts❤❤❤
@@DJStardust72 That's all you can really do. Nobody could really stop me.
This is so powerful
Thanks uploader for the loud music i allmoast heard something :)
the paradoxical aspect of all of this is the fact that Alan Watts was a lifelong alcohol drinker and later in his life- an alcohol addict, and he never got rid of it. People close to him apparently used to be very concerned over it aswell.
It's because your decision and your will are what created the problem of drinking too much... that's why I have a power greater than myself, which allows me to overcome drinking by surrendering to his will.
God I offer myself to thee -- to build with me and to do with me as thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love, and Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always!
ThanQ earth angel🙏
Great insight and video. The music is a little overwhelming
Listening to someone talk about addiction but hasn't beaten their own is ridiculous!
I don't agree. Addictions are so powerful. He never says, 'Here is how I stopped my addiction,' he simply talks about the difficulty in stopping and how it can happen. I mean I can tell you how a famous artist got his inspiration to paint a masterpiece, even what material he used and what technique he used, where he practiced, etc. And you could find that information helpful, even though I don't have any works hanging in a large museum.
The thing is no one ever overcomes addiction in the same sense the no one ever becomes enlightened. "Who" is it that is overcoming anything, who is it that is becoming enlightened. That is the understanding that can free "you" from the illusion of control.
He should have tried AA He didnt understand the nature of his addjction
This was put together really well I really enjoyed this, thanks.
Greatly appreciated!
This is working for me.
I have recently started to take part in 12 step programs for sex addiction and overeating. The first step is admitting we are powerless over our addiction and our lives are unmanageable. Now that I am beginning to acknowledge that no matter how much I try I simply cannot overcome my addictions, they are now beginning to fade away.
Im 'letting go' and trusting that God will free me. I no longer try to control anything, I just pray to God asking Him to do it for me. For the first time in the past 30 years I now go days at a time without any urges or desire to act out.
Of course it hasnt been 100% perfect since day one. When my ego gets in the way and I start fighting again it gets me. But now I feel more trusting in that God will do what I can't, I no longer feel a slave to my addictions. To not even feel tempted or feeling like I have to white knuckle and grit my teeth trying to resist is mindblowing. Theres countless people in my programs who are sober for decades all because they admitted they cant fight it.
you only need the first step of the 12 step program TRUTH, be honest about everything
thank you 🤍
The music really takes away from the ability to really LISTEN to the message,which is unfortunate, because the message is profound and truly the KEY to living.
Agreed.
Can someone please link me to this lecture WITHOUT the damn music please? I don't understand why so many people place unnecessary background music to alan watts lectures!,
My oldest brother was what I'd call a functioning alcoholic. However, he absolutely enjoyed his drink and to my knowledge he never had the desire to give up alcohol.
Surrender 💙
I believe that there is really no answer there just is and we are masters of our own life only if we choose to be or not to be at the end of the day it's our choice and we will own whatever that choice is goddamn it. Stay blessed and truthful
I drank hard Liquor straight out of the bottle for years.....I've been sober now for 20 years and have never looked back....
Man I needed to hear this..
Glad you liked it bro!
@seektoavoidfinding brother, when I was in my 20s I was listening to Alan watts and guided meditations from eckhart tolle and searching for answers. In my 30s I lost that interest. I drank alcohol in excess and it has done serious spiritual damage. Let go, no think is coming back.
The good news is you can't do spiritual damage because the spiritual can't be damaged!
Addiction isn't a choice but giving into the temptation is a choice.
This is an arbitrary line to draw. The feeling of making a choice is a perceptual illusion.
😂😂😂😂 you poor thing.
So what you’re saying here is people CHOOSE to end up in jails, hospitals, institutions, prisons, lose their families, friends, go broke, end up homeless, prostitute themselves, commit crimes, die and or go insane.
All of that and so much more is people choosing that?
I can assure you both as a 10 year sober person and and alcohol and addiction therapist, no one chooses that for themselves.
Alcoholism and addiction are thankfully now in the DSM 5 listed as a mental illness.
What you’re saying is the same as saying “cancer is a choice. Homelessness is a choice. Sucking dick for drugs and alcohol is a choice.”
Riiiiiight.
It’s powerlessness. We can’t not do what we do and most people pursue it into the gates of insanity and death, but, many also found a solution in 12 step process.
It works when nothing else does or will.
@@plotofland2928yep. We can seemingly choose what we will do but we cannot choose what we will choose.
Choice has been documented and researched as occurring 6-8 seconds before the egoic mind claims to have “made a choice.”
Alan Watts lived with addiction his whole life, his family even say it was a downfall in him; yet why do I find myself here listening
To truly understand addiction you must have at least once been addicted. I think he understood his devil particularly well.
Andrew. You listen to him perhaps because you know something intuitively that you are yet to know consciously. And that is, booze or a drug is not the addiction. Those are the symptoms of the addiction. The real addiction is to avoidance - the avoidance of pain. So we can never judge because we have no idea of another's pain. And that becomes even more truthful when we recognize that most often we ourselves do not recognize the existence and origin of our own pain.
@@Storm_. It killed him, so he may have just found the world boring.
We all know the "answers" and "solutions" intellectually, but to put the theory into practice..that's the hard part.That's when you really meet yourself and find that you're not as wise and clever as you've deluded yourself to believe.
Addict knows how to overcome the addiction but they couldn't, I don't care about him addicted to something but he knew the way to get rid of addiction..May be it wouldn't help him but for some like the starters, sure it will work.
In esoteric teachings, the statement "In silence and self-confidence, you will find salvation" holds deep significance and can be explored from a spiritual perspective. Let's delve into an esoteric expansion of this statement:
Silence as Inner Stillness: Silence is not merely the absence of external noise but also a state of inner stillness. It represents the quieting of the mind, the cessation of incessant mental chatter, and the cultivation of a serene and receptive inner space. Through silence, one can connect with the deeper aspects of oneself and attune to the subtle realms of consciousness.
Self-Confidence as Spiritual Trust: Self-confidence in this context refers to a profound trust in one's own inherent divinity and spiritual nature. It is a recognition of the infinite potential and wisdom that resides within. This self-confidence arises from a deep knowing that one is connected to a greater spiritual reality and possesses the inner resources to navigate life's challenges and seek spiritual growth.
Salvation as Liberation and Wholeness: In esoteric philosophy, salvation encompasses the liberation of the soul from the limitations of the egoic self and the realization of its true nature. It is the journey towards wholeness, inner harmony, and alignment with higher spiritual truths. Salvation is not external deliverance but an internal process of awakening and self-realization.
The Power of Silence: Silence has the ability to quiet the noise of the external world and the distractions of the egoic mind. In the stillness of silence, one can access deeper levels of consciousness, intuition, and spiritual insight. It is within this sacred space that profound wisdom, guidance, and inner transformation can unfold.
Self-Confidence as Inner Knowing: Self-confidence, rooted in spiritual trust, allows one to tap into their intuition and inner knowing. It enables the recognition of one's unique path and purpose, empowering them to make aligned choices and take courageous steps towards spiritual growth and self-realization.
In summary, the esoteric expansion of the statement suggests that through the cultivation of inner silence and self-confidence, one can find salvation-a deep spiritual liberation and wholeness. By embracing silence, stillness, and self-trust, individuals can access their inner wisdom, connect with higher spiritual truths, and embark on a transformative journey towards self-realization and spiritual awakening.🤔🤔
Come back to this video anytime I feel weak, helps massively.
In esoteric teachings, the statement "In silence and self-confidence, you will find salvation" holds deep significance and can be explored from a spiritual perspective. Let's delve into an esoteric expansion of this statement:
Silence as Inner Stillness: Silence is not merely the absence of external noise but also a state of inner stillness. It represents the quieting of the mind, the cessation of incessant mental chatter, and the cultivation of a serene and receptive inner space. Through silence, one can connect with the deeper aspects of oneself and attune to the subtle realms of consciousness.
Self-Confidence as Spiritual Trust: Self-confidence in this context refers to a profound trust in one's own inherent divinity and spiritual nature. It is a recognition of the infinite potential and wisdom that resides within. This self-confidence arises from a deep knowing that one is connected to a greater spiritual reality and possesses the inner resources to navigate life's challenges and seek spiritual growth.
Salvation as Liberation and Wholeness: In esoteric philosophy, salvation encompasses the liberation of the soul from the limitations of the egoic self and the realization of its true nature. It is the journey towards wholeness, inner harmony, and alignment with higher spiritual truths. Salvation is not external deliverance but an internal process of awakening and self-realization.
The Power of Silence: Silence has the ability to quiet the noise of the external world and the distractions of the egoic mind. In the stillness of silence, one can access deeper levels of consciousness, intuition, and spiritual insight. It is within this sacred space that profound wisdom, guidance, and inner transformation can unfold.
Self-Confidence as Inner Knowing: Self-confidence, rooted in spiritual trust, allows one to tap into their intuition and inner knowing. It enables the recognition of one's unique path and purpose, empowering them to make aligned choices and take courageous steps towards spiritual growth and self-realization.
In summary, the esoteric expansion of the statement suggests that through the cultivation of inner silence and self-confidence, one can find salvation-a deep spiritual liberation and wholeness. By embracing silence, stillness, and self-trust, individuals can access their inner wisdom, connect with higher spiritual truths, and embark on a transformative journey towards self-realization and spiritual awakening.🤔🤔
In hindsight the music is a little loud, my bad on that. But beyond that it goes well with the talk and video imo.
Also Alan Watts did drink, but he didn't make it into a problem.
Just had to put in the annoying cringey music huh ?
@@madcowkiller10 You just don't have an antenna for it. No hard feelings.
I would greatly appreciate videos without background music (of any volume).
I like the music
music was epic , i got shivers down my spine
I agree with Alan when he said he's just an entertainer. The video is proof of it. It amazes me how he twisted ZEN IN THE ART OF ARCHERY to fulfill his spun message.
He didn't twist anything. He directly & exactly quoted a book. Pay attention.
Thank ya for posting🤟
The best defence for an addict is an ex addict. Everyone can give advice Alan but you died an addict. Thanks to the person who leftva commemt with real recovery talk. "Ego"
"Who do you think the devil is?"
❤
A lot of people took the decision to quit some addiction and they did it
When he died in his 50s, Alan Watts was downing at least a whole bottle of vodka a day. He had been an alcoholic (& heavy smoker) for many years. According to his daughter he ended up in the hospital a few times with delirium tremens.
While he never attempted a full philosophical justification of his alcoholism (he actually hid it from the public), he *did* covertly attempt a partial justification of it via a defense of hedonism in the context of eastern thought.
This would provide just enough justification to protect his sense of self from the low status afforded to alcoholics and thus protect the rest of his valuable output - his intelligent exposition, interpretation and modern application of at least some aspects of eastern philosophy to a western public.
Aided of course by his mesmerizing voice and articulation.
It wasn’t that Alan Watts’ hedonistic (mis)interpretations of eastern thought were the main motivator behind his alcoholism (+heavy smoking).
It was the other way around
It was his alcoholism (+heavy smoking) that were the main motivator behind his specious interpretations of (certain aspects of) ascetic philosophies like Buddhism & Taoism; of rationalizations amounting to “oh well you can’t improve yourself anyways (so let me drink up)”.
The issue is further complicated by the fact that drug addiction generally, including alcoholism, do have some arguably Taoistic elements (or potential), in the sense that they can indeed diminish worldly ambition and material pursuits, which are reductions in very problematic areas of desire.
After all, the Taoist way:
**Empties people’s hearts
Fills their bellies
Weakens their ambitions.**
(Tao Te Ching ch. 3)
We could imagine a world where everyone was a junkie just growing food, opium and fermenting alcohol- focused mostly on their next fix or their next drink-with all other ambitions and projects discarded or greatly subdued.
Such a world might sound dystopian, but it would lead to far smaller environmental footprint, greatly diminishing the colossal suffering associated with countless species extinctions.
Thus it would be far more in “harmony with nature”, and by virtue of its focus on “visceral hedonism” more embracing of “simplicity” - rejecting many categories of desire.
And while this “narcotized” world would come at the cost of a great decrease in human lifespan (& population), it is perhaps even arguable that such a world would amount to no greater human suffering than the one we currently have.
Whatever the ostensibly Taoist aspects of this unlikely and imaginary world of viscerally hedonic individuals, the Taoist potential of “viscerally hedonic” tendencies in the real world is far more partial and ambiguous- whether at the individual or collective level.
And more to the point, it is by and large incompatible with the actual content of Taoist and Buddhist texts, all of which have an ascetic emphasis.
What Watts does is downplay or reframe the ascetic aspects of these philosophies, which then lends related aspects (like Wu Wei) to a hedonistic re-interpretation.
He might, for instance, reframe the notion of reducing desire as an attempt to *completely* get rid of desire- then adding the facile “aha” observation that it’s a contradiction to “desire getting rid of desire”.
From this he will imply that reducing desire is self-defeating (even though ch. 64 of the Tao Te Ching says “sages desire not to desire”).
The flaw of this “argument” is obvious once we translate it into real world situations:
e.g. the desire to drink less than the whole bottle of vodka Watts used to drink daily was self-defeating because it’s as much of a “desire” as the “desire” to drink the whole bottle.
Watts even implied that his binge drinking + chain smoking were actually a “triumph of humanity“ and “full humanness”, the honest realization of “irreducible rascality”, of “being both angel and devil, both reasonable and passionate, both mystic and sensuous”-dropping false and harmful “pretenses [to] sainthood”.
In other words, he better not abstain from drinking that whole bottle of vodka or he would be pretending to be some fictitious enlightened saint and missing out on this “triumph of humanity” and “full humanness”.
This hedonic “full humanness” can now be made compatible with parts of ch. 19 of the Tao Te Ching:
**Throw away holiness and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away morality and justice,
and people will do the right thing.**
Watts’ apparent translation:
“If I throw away sobriety, binge drink & chain smoke I’ll do the right thing & be 100 times happier.”
Even if we optimistically assumed a reduction in harmful wordly ambitions brought about by a focus on visceral hedonism, there are familiar pitfalls such as hedonic treadmills & collateral damage from the resulting heedlessness.
Certainly in areas like alcoholism + smoking we have pretty solid medical evidence of the reduction in calming brain chemicals like GABA overtime leading to greater anxiety- as well as the negative pain-to-pleasure ratio (hyperalgesia) brought about by the physical damage caused by alcohol (+ tobacco).
And of course some individuals become more prone to violence when under the influence of alcohol.
Watts dowplayed this violent tendency as well, praising the “civilizing” social lubricant role that wine drinking had in Mediterranean regions- indirectly legitimizing his own excessive drinking by framing it in terms of pro-social behavior.
This was also self-serving in a different way, because his alcoholism was not representative of that of an average individual.
Watts was said to be a social “happy drunk”. Many alcoholics are of course not necessarily social and not necessarily peaceful when they drink.
Most do not have the wit and charisma of an Alan Watts, nor the social status that would allow them to avoid social stigma.
In any case, on the positive side one can say that even with his bias for visceral (& aesthetic) hedonism -as evident by his comments on a preferable “robust material culture” in this video th-cam.com/video/jgqL9n6kZc8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wVAIjliyYNRghTTB
Watts’ critique of modern society is largely valid-even while he downplays the fact that our addiction to what he calls the “contemplation of a twittering screen” stems largely from the same escapism as his alcoholism.
Furthermore, as Watts knew, it is unrealistic and even unnatural to expect the masses to become ascetic. And given his preference for a more participatory (anarcho-communist Kropotkin-esque) society, he thought the best form of hedonism would be of a more pro-social character, leaning toward things like celebration, music and alcohol.
This political consideration was likely also a factor in his downplaying of Taoist & Buddhist asceticism, although it ranked, in my estimation, substantially below his own alcoholism.
If we consider the work of Ernest Becker, we can conclude that humans do indeed need to escape into some other reality in order to avoid the insignificance represented by death.
In primitive society, the natural asceticism brought about by material scarcity facilitated a strong sense of spirituality or cosmic significance- of course aided by religious myth.
Despite our scientific disillusionment with religious myths, the ascetic practices of eastern thought may still be able to facilitate a certain sense of spirituality or cosmic significance which may constitute our best form of escapism in the modern era.
any one struggling with adiction feel free to reach out you can stop being an alcoholic its very possible always choose hope
What he is talking about; as hard as it seems it may well be the easiest thing to do for a certain type of ego. The 'indecisive' personality. I would often ponder and decide upon a menu item and when the waiter is taking my order , a complete different order than what I planned emerges out of my mouth... Or sometimes I am unable to decide and I reach the counter, my turn is suddenly upon me and I am surprised by what I say because I hadn't 'decided' yet. I quit alcohol by surprising myself and turning down a drink. Every time I did it , I was suprised until enough time had passed that friends started asking if i had quit drinking. I didnt know what to say because I hadn't quite done it, yet I no longer drink alcohol. There was no conscious decision apart from the in the moment action/decision to turn down a drink. I hope this makes sense and I hope it helps. Of course, I appreciate that addiction is not a simple matter. I also quit cigarettes after smoking for just over 20 years really heavily. It's been 7yrs now though I dont usually count. I don't know that smoker at all.
Alan wats❤
This happened overnight without a ‘12 step model’. That I will be forever grateful for. Right in the nic of time, just before 27
Congratulations! 🎉❤ Could you elaborate a little more on what happened exactly, internally and/or externally? How did you manage to stay in the state after the first day, two, three etc.?
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He's100% correct! Drank for 40 yrs.. was up to 90 beers a wk. One day just stopped, that was 3 years ago. It never worked when I'd planned it.
Did you have thoughts of doing it throughout the day? If so how did you cope with it?
@@jsure8786 Got sick of seeing myself all bloated and unhealthy. High blood pressure, prediabetes. Put my foot down and decided enough of letting substances control me. Gave up sugar and 90% of carbs too. TH-cam Dr Berg and learn about nutrition. Beer leached lots of nutrients out. One minute at a time, got easier week by week. Some heavy alcoholics can go into shock, so see a Dr.
@chrishynes6091 wow, this is exactly what I am doing.
I don't drink anymore (or any less lol).
Seriously though, I did give up alcohol. It wasn't a red letter day, it's not even marked on a calendar. I'm not counting the days, months or years. I don't even remember when I stopped. Doesn't matter.
I feel like I'm squinting with my ears to hear the man speak. Music is way too loud. I believe a re-upload is in order.
If only the words were on the screen!!
@seektoavoidfinding Yeah you are completely right. I forgot I wasn't allowed to listen to this video while going for a walk..
The hirony of this, is that i'm drinking a wiskey wile i'm listening to this.......😢
Yes... i'v been looking videos to overcome my adicction to pornography, and this is the only one advice that give me a solution, after struggling with this for about 3 years
Dam this is deep. It does work though I’ve done it without realising when stopping smoking. Don’t plan rather wait for the day when you just think I’m going to do it right now.
So do you keep smoking and then just one day stop? How does this work?
Damn 👀
I have been addicted from the age of 16. Pretty much every day for 9 years I'm 25 and it has destroyed my life, relationships etc. Today i will stop. Ill hold myself accountable
I believe in you
How are you doing brother? Did you do it? If not don't be ashamed theres always today. I'm asking how you are doing because I care about you, you are me and I am you, started same age but still going at almost 30. Hope to hear from you
@@DudeOnFireee I care about you too brother. I am doing much better, i feel at peace with my mind. I walk 12,500 steps per day and I'm playing football (soccer) 3 times a week, so that keeps my busy and gives me a goal
How are you doing I hope that you can overcome your demons, in fact I don't hope i know that you will.
@@Hineson97 hey man glad to hear it, happy for you and proud. Thanks for the kind words. Wish you nothing but the best
Hey man, how is it going now?
The meditation workbook called 30 Days to Sobriety by Harper Daniels has some cool mindfulness lessons.
Real.🎉😮
What are we seeking in a drink ,i think what were really seeking is The end of Seeking
Whoa.....
Alan Watts drops it like it's hot. 😂
You all know he died from complications due to alcohol right? so here is an addict telling you how to overcome it.
The cinematic music is just too much .
In AW defense he accurately described himself as a 'spiritual entertainer', not as a guru to be followed.
I did find that I stopped drinking tonight for 90 seconds - just like that - without even trying.
I so need to quit smoking. I hope this helps ❤
Entirely up to you! However I would recommend Alan Carr's book about smoking!!! 🚭
Lose the music and listen properly
How ironic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chogayam Trungpa should have watched this video too...
This guy really talks in circles.
nice content but bgm is too loud…
Does anyone know from with lecture is this segment from? Thanks
I believe it’s, “The Reason We Suffer.”
No but I've heard him say this slightly differently in several different lectures
Alan would tell he you was an alchoholic and it was a concious choice.
The first steps to THIS Committment of overcoming addiction is to be aware of the damage you have caused, inward and outward.
The first steps is finding something to love, be that yourself or others.
THEN you do what is said in this video. You aware of what will happen if you can't do it
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YEAHHHHHHHHHHH. I love you devil, come
The music is too loud.
😮😮😮😮😮😮
It must be as difficult, as impossible, as he as says it is…because it ultimately killed him at the age of 58.
Not impossible at all for someone who is willing to let go of being a separate someone...
His actual cause of death was cardiac vascular disease. Research this. Perhaps from drinking, yet not so severe it killed him. Besides something gonna get ya!!!
I have porn addiction
Me too
Yah im overcoming mine
@Guhraff it's definitely a problem really bad for the mind
You’re not addicted to porn you’re addicted to the ego. The ego is looking at porn through your eyes so it can feel good not you.
Go to SA meeting
From what lecture is this exactly?
Could you please point this original recording
I did decide what day I would stop. but I think that was the only decision I made. That date came after the knowing that Alan refers to. it was just a technical drawing of a line in the sand..
Dont tell the devil you're leaving town
Can someone explain WTF he's talking about?
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