Storyline

The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts video series was recorded in 1971 above Muir Woods, California, and in 1972 aboard the ferryboat the SS Vallejo in Sausalito. Produced by his son Mark and directed by long-time archivist Henry Jacobs, the series explores core philosophical themes that spawned over Watts' career.

First Aired

1972-12-31
Last Aired

1972-12-31
Creator

Alan Watts
Genre

Reality, Talk, Documentary, Comedy
Seasons

1
Episodes

12
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

Keywords:

philosophy meditation psychology society zen ego eastern philosophy introspective alan watts

Stream and watch The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts

Season 1

1. Nothing

Basing his ideas on sensory perception and physical experience, Alan Watts makes a compelling argument...More

Basing his ideas on sensory perception and physical experience, Alan Watts makes a compelling argument that everything actually depends upon nothing for its very existence.Less

342mins 1972-12-31

2. Ego

Alan Watts was concerned with the way we trap ourselves in words. He considered it unfortunate that we...More

Alan Watts was concerned with the way we trap ourselves in words. He considered it unfortunate that we separate the "I" from reality and think of "I" in terms of how others see us or the image that we want to project. What is the answer?Less

342mins 1972-12-31

3. Meditation

As Alan Watts explains, "A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts a...More

As Alan Watts explains, "A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts and loses touch with reality." He covers basic mediation techniques, including listening without naming and mantras or sonic meditations.Less

342mins 1972-12-31

4. God

To many of us the image of God as a gray-bearded omnipotent and omnipresent supreme being has become i...More

To many of us the image of God as a gray-bearded omnipotent and omnipresent supreme being has become implausible, yet the common sense notions of divine authority surrounding that image persist.Less

342mins 1972-12-31

5. Cosmic Drama

Alan Watts further explores the Hindu dramatic view of the universe, in which God plays all of the par...More

Alan Watts further explores the Hindu dramatic view of the universe, in which God plays all of the parts - all the while pretending not to know who he/she/it is!Less

342mins 1972-12-31

6. Time

Here Alan Watts points out that our insistence that the past determines the present is nonsensical.

Here Alan Watts points out that our insistence that the past determines the present is nonsensical.Less

342mins 1972-12-31

7. Work & Play

Alan Watts swirls an orange on a string and shoots an arrow high into the air before explaining why th...More

Alan Watts swirls an orange on a string and shoots an arrow high into the air before explaining why the art of living is being paid to play - and to the extent that we feel compelled to work and survive, life becomes a drag.Less

342mins 1972-12-31

8. Death

Alan Watts comments on the circle of life and our response to the surprising event of being born in th...More

Alan Watts comments on the circle of life and our response to the surprising event of being born in the first place.Less

342mins 1972-12-31

9. The More It Changes

Alan Watts speaks on our fascination with reproduction through media, and on the far out notion that h...More

Alan Watts speaks on our fascination with reproduction through media, and on the far out notion that human beings may just be one star's way of becoming another star!Less

342mins 1972-12-31

10. Clothing

After talking about growing up near London, Alan Watts demonstrates a variety of cultural garb and poi...More

After talking about growing up near London, Alan Watts demonstrates a variety of cultural garb and points out how each influences the way we live and feel. His choices of attire include a western business suit and a kimono.Less

342mins 1972-12-31

11. Do You Smell?

Alan Watts speaks about our most repressed sense. Here he introduces viewers to the intricacies of inc...More

Alan Watts speaks about our most repressed sense. Here he introduces viewers to the intricacies of incense in front of a small Buddhist altar, while commenting on the types of incense used in Church rituals and all across Asia.Less

342mins 1972-12-31

12. Conversation with Myself

While walking in a field above Muir Woods, Alan Watts points to humankind's attempts to straighten out...More

While walking in a field above Muir Woods, Alan Watts points to humankind's attempts to straighten out a wiggly world as the root of our ecological crisis.Less