Alan Watts

You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing.

Join the dance.

The art of living… is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful clinging to the past on the other. It consists in being sensitive to each moment, in regarding it as utterly new and unique, in having the mind open and wholly receptive.

Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.

Things are as they are. Looking out into the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations.

Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.

A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read.

When you get emotional, slow your thoughts down, and listen attentively (write it down). That way, you’ll be able to hear what you are thinking. You do this becoming very still and very quiet, and recording your thoughts. These high-speed thoughts and internal reactions always precede your feelings and emotions. Trust me, you did tell yourself something if you now feel anger, mad, anxious, frustrated, sad or depressed. From now on, whenever you get upset, listen ever so carefully, to what you are telling yourself.

When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.

When you make changes in your life, make sure you’re moving toward the things you want.

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.

People living deeply have no fear of death.

I am not young enough to know everything.

The satisfaction that arises from honest accomplishment is of far more value in the promotion of human happiness than the thrill that comes with the realization of materialistic aspirations.

The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.

The aging process has you firmly in its grasp if you never get the urge to throw a snowball.

When hungry, eat your rice; when tired, close your eyes. Fools may laugh at me, but wise men will know what I mean.

But to do for the world more than the world does for you, that is Success.

Love is knowing every goodbye has a hello on the horizon.