Alan Watts – Death
Alan Watts had profound insights into the nature of life and existence that have affected millions of people. “My point was, and has continued to be, that the Big Realization. . . is not a future attainment but a present fact, that this now-moment is eternity and that one must see it now or never,” he said.
When the life force — heat and consciousness — ceases to exist, then that is called death. Death can occur: 1) when one’s own kamma is exhausted, 2) when one’s own life span is exhausted, that is, the span allotted for that particular life (one can only live so long and after that one has to die). 3) when both kamma and life span are exhausted together, or 4) when life ends due to accidental, unnatural causes. These are the ways that death can come. So death in Buddhism is not the end of total existence. Death is just closing one chapter and the next chapter is opened immediately after that. These two always go immediately together-death and rebirth.
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Interesting…Alan Watts was a big influence on me in my early 20′s, when I first became interested in Zen and meditation. I know that in what I’ve read he comes out as a very non-theistic Buddhist, in some places agnostic about reincarnation, viewing the question of life-after-death as a distraction from living mindfully in the here and now, and, in at least one book, arguing pretty firmly against it. Unfortunately, right now, I’m at a computer where I can’t watch the videos, but I get the impression from your text here that he contradicts that (which wouldn’t be surprising, as nobody should be expected to hold the same opinions about the big questions throughout an entire lifetime)…. For now, I’ll just look forward to having a chance to see them…
.-= YogaforCynics´s last blog ..If I Should Fall From Grace With God… =-.
Sometimes I think if I didn’t believe in SOMETHING after this life, I’d have no hope at all.
.-= Lana´s last blog ..Hubby’s Latest Book =-.
Tine Thief, I’m so happy you posted this! I’m too tired tonight to watch the videos, but I look forward to them for tomorrow. Dalai Lama once said that death is “like changing clothes.” Working with my fear of death is an ongoing process for me. From a Buddhist perspective, death is a tremendous opportunity for recognizing the nature of mind and is not something to be feared at all if you are properly prepared. I understand that intellectually and sometimes feel it within, but there are still layers of fear to unstrip on this current journey called life.
.-= Sandra Lee´s last blog ..What’s healthy for YOU? =-.
This provides some interesting thoughts around death . . . a freeing way of thinking about it.
I appreciate you sharing this collection of insight!
- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)
.-= Marie´s last blog ..An attempt at cleaning it up =-.
Hi Marie,
I’m sorry I didn’t moderate and approve and reply to your comment earlier. I’m up to my armpits in month end accounting right now. Best wishes to you. :)
You know TT, after my sister died in January of this year, I really started becoming interested in what others felt about the subject of death and eventuality. Interesting stuff. In any case, it still hurts. Nice stopping by again my friend. ~Nards
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