Alan Watts

You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself.

This is the real secret of life – to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.

The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.

If you really understand Zen, you can use any book, even the dictionary, because the sound of the rain needs no translation.

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.

Now I’m a warrior.

I find that when you have a real interest in life and a curious life, that sleep is not the most important thing.

The short successes that can be gained in a brief time and without difficulty, are not worth much.

There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist, except an old optimist.

A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward.

Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons.

Every one knows that insufficient rest and gorging are not good for anyone, either physically or mentally.

It is easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them.

If you believe, you will. If you don’t, you won’t.

I’m beginning to understand myself. But it would have been great to be able to understand myself when I was 20 rather than when I was 82.

Understanding is simple. Knowing is complicated.

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

I do not like to be unkind.

They’re different kinds of challenges depending upon what phase of life I’m in.

As parents we’re not nearly as computer literate as our children are.