Alan Watts, a philosopher, writer, and speaker known for interpreting Eastern philosophy for a Western audience, revolutionized the way we think about life, purpose, and existence. His teachings continue to resonate with those seeking a deeper understanding of life beyond the everyday grind. For Watts, the meaning of life is not something to be found or earned but something to be experienced—something that’s always been right in front of us.
He famously said, “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.”
For Watts, life is not a race or a problem to be solved. It’s a process, an unfolding experience where the goal is not to achieve more but to experience more—more of the present moment, more of who we are, and more of the interconnectedness that binds us to the world around us. We spend so much of our lives focused on external achievements, future goals, and societal expectations that we often forget to simply be present.
The meaning of life, according to Watts, is about embracing the flow of the universe—allowing ourselves to surrender to the rhythm of existence and trusting that we are part of something much larger than ourselves.
The Illusion of Control: Understanding Life as Flow
One of Watts' most profound teachings is that the pursuit of control over life is a futile and misguided effort. In the modern world, we are conditioned to believe that success, happiness, and meaning in life come from our ability to control our circumstances. We are taught that in order to be happy, we must have everything figured out, that we must control our future, and that we must achieve specific milestones. But Watts explains that this illusion of control is a major source of stress and discontent.
He argues that life is not something that can be neatly planned or controlled. Instead, life is an ongoing, dynamic process—a flow, like a river that constantly moves, reshapes, and renews itself. In his teachings, Watts emphasizes the importance of letting go of the need to control the flow of life.
In one of his most famous quotes, Watts says, "You cannot control the world, but you can change your attitude toward it.”
When we stop trying to control life, we stop resisting the natural flow of existence. We stop trying to fight against change, unpredictability, and uncertainty. Instead, we accept them as part of the process. Rather than struggling to create a perfect, predictable life, we begin to live with greater ease by aligning ourselves with the rhythm of life.
Watts suggests that trying to control life is like trying to control the wind. No matter how hard we try, the wind will blow as it wishes. Similarly, life’s events unfold according to forces beyond our control. This realization is liberating—it allows us to step out of the struggle and into a space where we can simply be. We no longer need to force things; we simply need to allow them to unfold in their own time.
The Present Moment: Living Fully in the Now
A key aspect of Watts’ philosophy is the importance of the present moment. In our fast-paced world, we often get caught up in planning for the future or reminiscing about the past. We obsess over what’s next, what we need to do, or what we missed out on. But Watts reminds us that the only time we truly have is now.
He explains that the present moment is where life happens. We cannot live in the past, and the future is always just out of reach. The now is where we experience life in its fullest form. To Watts, this moment—this breath, this heartbeat—is where the meaning of life resides. It’s not in the future, not in the achievements we think we need to accomplish, and certainly not in our regrets from the past.
In his lectures, Watts often emphasized, “The present moment is the only moment in which we live. So why not focus on it? The future is nothing but a projection of what is happening now.”
By focusing on the present, we begin to experience life as it truly is. We stop living in the future or the past, and we start living in the now. This shift in perspective is transformative. It allows us to engage with life more fully, to appreciate the small moments that often go unnoticed, and to experience the richness of being alive.
Watts also teaches that we shouldn’t view the present moment as a means to an end. We often see the present as something to be "gotten through" in order to get to the future. But when we focus on the now, we start to experience life as a process, not a destination. The present moment is not something to rush through—it’s the very substance of life.
“You cannot step into the same river twice.” - Heraclitus
This quote from the ancient philosopher Heraclitus is often cited by Watts, and it perfectly encapsulates his view of the impermanence and fluidity of life. The river, like life, is always in motion. When you step into a river, the water you stepped into is no longer there. The river is constantly changing, and you, too, are changing.
Watts uses this metaphor to help us understand that life is in a constant state of flux. The meaning of life is not static, nor is it found in clinging to the past or worrying about the future. Instead, meaning comes from embracing the flow of change, accepting that nothing is permanent, and recognizing that life is always unfolding. Just as the river cannot be stepped into twice, neither can we experience the same moment in time more than once.
Watts encourages us to embrace this fluidity. Instead of holding onto the past or trying to control the future, we must learn to surrender to the natural flow of life. When we do, we experience life more fully. We realize that we are part of something much greater than ourselves, something that is constantly in motion and constantly renewing itself.
Discovering Purpose in the Journey, Not the Destination
In our search for meaning, we often look for a grand purpose—a specific goal or outcome that will give our lives significance. We are conditioned to think that purpose is something we need to "find" or achieve. But Watts suggests that purpose is not a destination or an end goal—it is something we experience along the way.
He says, “You don’t look for a purpose in life. The purpose of life is not something outside of you, it is in the experience itself.”
This is a crucial shift in perspective. When we stop viewing life as a race to a finish line, we begin to see that meaning is not something we find by achieving. Rather, purpose is found in the journey itself, in the experience of living, and in how we engage with each moment. Every action, every decision, and every experience is part of the greater tapestry of our lives.
This view of purpose invites us to let go of the pressure to "do" life perfectly. It allows us to see that we are already living purposefully by simply being. The more we align with who we truly are and follow our inner compass, the more we experience the meaning of life. We don’t need to search for purpose outside of ourselves; it is already embedded in the very fabric of our existence.
The Art of Surrender: Trusting the Flow
A central concept in Watts’ philosophy is the idea of surrender. This doesn’t mean giving up or passively resigning ourselves to life’s circumstances; it means letting go of the need to control and trust that life will unfold as it should.
In his teachings, Watts often emphasized, “Surrender is not an act of weakness. It is an act of power.” By surrendering to the flow of life, we stop resisting what is. We stop trying to change the course of events to match our own desires. Instead, we trust the universe to guide us, knowing that we are part of something much larger than ourselves.
Surrendering to life’s flow means letting go of our attachment to outcomes. It means being open to whatever comes, trusting that every experience—whether perceived as good or bad—has something to offer us. This is where true peace comes from: when we let go of our need to control, we allow ourselves to be part of the natural flow of life.
"Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on." - Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle’s quote resonates deeply with Watts’ teachings. Letting go of our need to defend, resist, or control allows us to step into a place of true power. It is in this act of surrender that we unlock our greatest potential. When we stop holding onto the past or clinging to future expectations, we free ourselves to experience life as it truly is—a process of constant change, growth, and renewal.
A Five-Point Plan for Embracing Alan Watts’ Philosophy
Release the Illusion of Control: Acknowledge that life cannot be controlled. Instead of resisting change or trying to manipulate circumstances, learn to embrace the flow of life. Shift your perspective from control to trust, knowing that everything is unfolding as it should.
Practice Presence: Focus on the present moment. Stop worrying about what comes next or regretting what’s already passed. The present is where life truly happens. Engage with it fully and experience the richness of now.
Embrace the Fluidity of Life: Understand that life is always in motion. Just as the river is constantly flowing, so too is your life. Instead of clinging to the past or trying to control the future, embrace the changes and growth that life brings.
Discover Purpose in the Journey: Let go of the idea that purpose is something to be achieved. Purpose is found in the experience of living, in every moment and every action. Embrace the process of life rather than focusing solely on the destination.
Surrender to Life’s Flow: Trust the universe and let go of the need to control the outcomes. Surrender does not mean giving up—it means aligning yourself with the natural flow of life and trusting that you are part of a greater, interconnected whole.
