Out of Your Mind

1. Reality is a cosmic game of hide-and-seek

You are the primordial energy of the universe that's still in process.

The universe as play. The fundamental nature of reality is a grand cosmic game where the ultimate self (Brahman in Hindu philosophy) pretends to be all of us and everything in existence. This game of hide-and-seek allows the self to experience itself in infinite ways, creating the illusion of separation and individuality.

Cycles of creation and dissolution. In Hindu cosmology, this game plays out in vast cycles called kalpas, each lasting millions of years. During these cycles, the universe manifests (manvantara) and then dissolves back into itself (pralaya). This concept challenges our linear view of time and suggests that existence is cyclical and eternally recurring.

Implications for personal identity. Understanding reality as a cosmic game invites us to reconsider our sense of self. We are not separate entities, but expressions of the one underlying reality. This perspective can lead to a profound shift in how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us.

2. The ego is an illusion, but a necessary one

The ego is nothing other than the focus of conscious attention.

Ego as a social construct. The ego, our sense of individual self, is a useful fiction created for social communication and interaction. It's an abstract concept, like an hour or an inch, that we treat as if it were real and physical.

Limitations of ego-consciousness. Our ego-centric view of reality is highly selective and limited. It focuses on certain aspects of experience while ignoring others, creating a partial and often distorted picture of reality.

• The ego is like a radar on a ship - a troubleshooter, not the whole ship
• We often mistake the ego for our true self, leading to anxiety and suffering
• Transcending the ego doesn't mean destroying it, but recognizing its proper role

3. Suffering arises from attachment and resistance to change

You can't know black unless you know white, and you can't know white without knowing black.

The nature of dukkha. In Buddhism, suffering (dukkha) is seen as an inherent part of existence, arising from our attachment to impermanent things and our resistance to the ever-changing nature of reality.

Interdependence of opposites. Watts emphasizes that all experiences and concepts exist in relation to their opposites. Pleasure cannot exist without pain, life without death. By clinging to one side of these polarities, we create suffering for ourselves.

• Attachment leads to fear of loss and change
• Resistance to change creates tension and anxiety
• Accepting the transient nature of all things can lead to greater peace and contentment

4. Liberation comes from realizing our true nature

If you see that you are all the self, you can afford to go with it—you can afford to get mixed up in life and fall in love and get involved with all sorts of things.

Awakening to our true self. Liberation, or enlightenment, comes from realizing that our deepest nature is not the ego, but the underlying reality that gives rise to all existence. This realization is often described as "waking up" from the dream of separation.

Non-duality and interconnectedness. The experience of liberation involves recognizing the fundamental unity of all things. We are not separate from the world, but intimately connected to everything in existence.

• Liberation is not about escaping the world, but fully embracing it
• Realizing our true nature allows us to participate in life more fully and joyfully
• This understanding leads to a natural compassion for all beings

5. Meditation and mindfulness are tools for awakening

Meditation is the perfect waste of time.

Purpose of meditation. Contrary to popular belief, the goal of meditation is not to achieve a particular state of mind or to improve oneself. Rather, it's a way of seeing through the illusion of the separate self and recognizing our true nature.

Mindfulness in daily life. Watts emphasizes that meditation is not just a formal practice, but a way of bringing awareness to all aspects of life. By being fully present in each moment, we can begin to see through our habitual patterns of thought and behavior.

• Meditation helps us observe our thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them
• Mindfulness allows us to experience life more directly, without the filter of concepts and judgments
• Regular practice can lead to a profound shift in our perception of reality

6. Eastern philosophies offer alternative perspectives on existence

Buddhism is a finger pointing at the moon—don't mistake the finger for the moon.

Beyond Western paradigms. Eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Hinduism offer radically different ways of understanding reality, consciousness, and the nature of self. These perspectives can help us break free from limiting Western concepts and beliefs.

Non-conceptual understanding. Many Eastern traditions emphasize direct experience over intellectual understanding. They use methods like koans, paradoxes, and meditation to point beyond concepts to a direct realization of truth.

Eastern philosophies often emphasize:

• Non-duality (the interconnectedness of all things)
• Impermanence (the ever-changing nature of reality)
• Emptiness (the lack of inherent existence in phenomena)
• These ideas challenge our conventional ways of thinking and perceiving

7. The present moment is the gateway to eternity

This moment—this one right now—is eternity.

The illusion of time. Watts argues that our conventional understanding of time as a linear progression from past to future is an illusion. In reality, everything happens in the eternal now.

Experiencing timelessness. By fully entering into the present moment, we can touch the timeless dimension of existence. This experience of timelessness is often described as a taste of eternity or nirvana.

• The past and future exist only as concepts in the present
• Focusing on the present moment can free us from anxiety about the past or future
• Realizing the eternal nature of the present can lead to a profound sense of peace and freedom

8. Playfulness and humor are essential to spiritual growth

The self—atman, Brahman—exists for fun.

Lightness in spirituality. Watts emphasizes the importance of playfulness and humor in spiritual practice. Taking things too seriously can actually hinder our growth and understanding.

The cosmic joke. Realizing the illusory nature of our separate self and the playful nature of reality can lead to a profound sense of humor. We begin to see the cosmic joke and laugh at our own predicament.

• Humor helps us not take ourselves too seriously
• Playfulness allows us to explore spiritual ideas without getting stuck in rigid beliefs
• Laughter can be a sign of spiritual insight and liberation

9. Society often resists those who challenge conventional wisdom

Wise kings keep court fools—the fool reminds the king that he's going to die, that he's mortal.

The role of outsiders. Throughout history, societies have both feared and needed those who challenge conventional wisdom. These outsiders, whether mystics, philosophers, or artists, play a crucial role in pushing the boundaries of human understanding.

Resistance to new ideas. Watts points out that new spiritual or philosophical insights often face resistance from established institutions and belief systems. This resistance is often rooted in fear and the desire to maintain the status quo.

• Outsiders serve as a reminder of truths that society often tries to ignore
• Challenging conventional wisdom can lead to personal and collective growth
• True innovation often comes from those willing to think outside societal norms

10. True understanding transcends words and concepts

You can't grasp it and you can't get rid of it, and in not being able to grab it, you get it.

Limitations of language. Watts emphasizes that ultimate reality cannot be adequately described in words or captured by concepts. Language and thought are tools that can point towards truth, but they are not the truth itself.

Direct experience. True understanding comes from direct experience rather than intellectual knowledge. This is why many spiritual traditions emphasize practices like meditation that cultivate direct awareness.

• Words and concepts are like fingers pointing at the moon, not the moon itself
• Intellectual understanding alone is insufficient for deep spiritual realization
• Paradoxes and koans are often used to point beyond conceptual thinking
• Silence and direct experience can convey truths that words cannot express

Last updated: January 24, 2025