What Spiritually Awake People See That Others Cannot - Alan Watts

Summary

In this profound exploration of spiritual awakening, the speaker reveals that awakening isn’t about discovering something new, but about seeing the world directly, free from the conceptual filters of the ego. Awakening is the realization that we are not separate from the universe, and that consciousness is fundamental to existence. By recognizing the unity of all things, the illusion of a separate self dissolves, and life becomes a spontaneous, interconnected dance. The message encourages us to experience reality in the present moment, free from the distraction of thoughts, and to recognize that we are the awareness through which all of this unfolds.

Takeaways

• 😀 The spiritually awake person sees reality directly without the filtering of concepts or the ego's constant chatter.
• 😀 Awakening is about perceiving the world as it truly is, beyond the mental labels and concepts we assign to things.
• 😀 The difference between ordinary perception and awakened perception is like the difference between a photograph and the real experience of the ocean.
• 😀 Everyone has had moments of awakening where the world becomes vivid and immediate, but these moments often fade as we grow older and more conditioned.
• 😀 The awake person realizes that the sense of a separate self is an illusion created by the ego and is not who they truly are.
• 😀 Thoughts are not who we are. We can observe our thoughts, but we are not our thoughts, just as the observer is separate from the observed.
• 😀 The awake person understands that they are the awareness in which all experiences arise, rather than a separate entity interacting with the world.
• 😀 The boundaries we perceive between ourselves and the world (e.g., inside vs outside, self vs other) are arbitrary and conventional, not absolute.
• 😀 Awakening reveals the unity of all things; all phenomena are interconnected, like different aspects of a single cosmic event.
• 😀 The universe is intelligent at its core, and consciousness is fundamental, not an afterthought of evolution. The intelligence of nature operates spontaneously without effort.
• 😀 The awake person sees that time is an illusion. The past and future are just present memories and anticipations; only the present moment is real and experienced.
• 😀 In the present moment, the awake person experiences a sense of freedom, peace, and spontaneous action, without the burden of trying to control or force outcomes.

Q & A

What is the key difference between the perception of an awakened person and an ordinary person?

An awakened person sees reality directly, without the interference of concepts, words, or the ego. They experience things as they truly are, rather than through the filter of their thoughts and concepts.

What does Alan mean by 'substituting the menu for the meal' in the context of spiritual awakening?

'Substituting the menu for the meal' means mistaking concepts, labels, and mental constructs for direct experience. For example, when we think about a tree, we are often thinking about the word 'tree' and all the ideas associated with it, rather than experiencing the tree itself.

What is the role of the ego in the experience of reality?

The ego acts as a filter through which we interpret and judge reality. It creates a sense of separation, leading us to believe that we are distinct from everything around us. The spiritually awakened person realizes this sense of separation is an illusion.

What does it mean to live in a 'trance' according to the script?

Living in a 'trance' means being hypnotized by our own thoughts, concepts, and mental filters, leading us to think that our ideas about reality are reality itself. We become disconnected from the immediate, direct experience of life.

Why do children have a more direct experience of reality compared to adults?

Children are naturally absorbed in the present moment, experiencing life directly without layering it with concepts and judgments. They haven’t yet learned to live in their heads, constantly thinking about the past or future.

How does an awakened person perceive the self?

An awakened person realizes that the concept of a separate self, an ego confined within a body, is an illusion. They understand that what they truly are is the awareness in which all thoughts, feelings, and experiences arise.

What is meant by 'the boundary between inside and outside' being arbitrary?

The boundary between inside and outside refers to the illusion of separation between self and the world. The awakened person realizes that there is no true boundary — everything is interconnected, and the distinction between self and other is a mental construct.

How does the spiritually awake person view the universe and their place within it?

The spiritually awake person sees themselves as an expression of the whole universe. They realize that they are not a separate entity but part of the unified flow of life, like a wave being part of the ocean.

What does Alan mean by saying that consciousness is fundamental to the universe?

Alan suggests that consciousness isn’t just something that emerged in human or animal brains, but that it is a fundamental property of the universe itself. Everything in the universe is inherently conscious, and human consciousness is just a part of that larger intelligence.

What happens when the mind becomes quiet in the present moment?

When the mind becomes quiet, the constant stream of thoughts and commentary fades, leaving only pure awareness. This awareness, which is simple yet profound, is what the spiritually awake person identifies with, realizing that it is the essence of their being.