Alan Watts Quotations

 

“The only Zen you’ll find on mountain tops is the Zen you bring up there with you”

Image by The Alan Watts Organization via Big Think

I first fell in love with Alan Watts because of his humour and profound wisdom.

He saw the world in such a lighthearted, playful, and brilliant way that it made my life more lighthearted, playful, and beautiful too.

After being on a spiritual path for a few years, I was taking my life a little tooseriously, so he came as a refreshing surprise.

During his 58 years, he was a self-proclaimed philosophical entertainer, fusing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoist traditions.

The only thing he did more than making babies was write books, 25 of them in fact, which is 18 more than had children, just in case you were wondering.

So, here are 15 of my favourite quotes by the man himself. And if applied, can change the way you see the world forever.

1. “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.”

He beautifully summed it up in another way too:

“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.”

All children embody this wonderfully. But for us adults, we often forget.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing” — George Bernard Shaw

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

Life is in an ever-changing dance through time. We can either try and stop it or dance with it. Which one we choose ultimately determines our entire reality.

“But I’ll tell you what hermits realize. If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you’ll come to understand that you’re connected with everything.”

I don’t think I’ve ever quoted the bible but there’s nothing more fitting:

“Be humble. Don’t think you’re better than anyone else. For dust you are and dust you shall return” — Genesis 3:19

“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.”

He also put it like this:

“Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.”

And how beautiful we are.

“The more a thing tends to be permanent, the more it tends to be lifeless.”

The universe is in an ever-changing flux, pulsating and vibrating to the rhythms of life.

The real concern comes when anything stops. Take the heart or the breath, for example. We need them to keep beating and changing. The last thing we want is for them to stay permanent.

“Try to imagine what it will be like to go to sleep and never wake up… now try to imagine what it was like to wake up having never gone to sleep.”

The more I read this, the more it makes me smile. It brings me right back into the present moment and for that, I’m forever grateful.

“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.”

I can’t help but wonder how loving and well-balanced humanity would be if we simply just accepted one another exactly as we are as if we were stars.

“We do not “come into” this world; we come out of it, as leaves from a tree. As the ocean “waves,” the universe “peoples.” Every individual is an expression of the whole realm of nature, a unique action of the total universe.”

What more is there to say?

“When we attempt to exercise power or control over someone else, we cannot avoid giving that person the very same power or control over us.”

How relevant is this one today?!

It reminds me of a beautiful story:

One day, a butterfly lands in the palm of a man who’s sitting quietly. This butterfly is so beautiful that his initial reaction is to close his fist and keep it. But close his fist only crushes the butterfly.

So, instead, he must keep his palm open, enjoy the butterfly’s beauty and risk it flying away. All the while knowing that if this beautiful butterfly ever does fly away, with an open palm, it can fly right back in again.

Holding on is easy. Letting go is hard. But only the latter creates freedom.

“The desire for security and the feeling of insecurity are the same thing. To hold your breath is to lose your breath.”

How brave we are to fully accept life in and how brave we are to fully surrender and let go of life happens with every breath. It’s only by exhaling (letting go) that we can inhale again. If the breath ever stops, so do we.

“We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.”

Quite simply: to know one is to know the other. To not know one is to not know the other.

“Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.”

When things are swirling and chaos is around, it’s tempting to try and fix it or calm the storm. But quite often, the best thing to do is nothing.

“We seldom realize that our most private thoughts and emotions are not actually our own. For we think in terms of languages and images which we did not invent, but which were given to us by our society.”

Mind-bogglingly, we think about 50,000 thoughts a day. But even more spectacular than that is that of those 50,000 thoughts, only 2% of them are new. Meaning that 98% of all the thoughts you and I think today are the same thoughts we thought yesterday.

But are even our new thoughts our own?

After all, we grow up with cultural biases and within an education system that someone else designed. We also grow up with our parent’s ideas of the world and their way of moving through it.

We get so lost in making it all so personal. Alan Watts invites us to see it from a new perspective.

“The first half of my life I went to school. The second half of my life I got an education” — Mark Twain

“What I am really saying is that you don’t need to do anything, because if you see yourself in the correct way, you are all as much extraordinary phenomenon of nature as trees, clouds, the patterns in running water, the flickering of fire, the arrangement of the stars, and the form of a galaxy. You are all just like that, and there is nothing wrong with you at all.”

And as Osho once said:

“There is nowhere to go. Nothing to do. And no one to become”

Closing thoughts

To close, I’d like to leave you with one more pertinent quote from the man himself in case you’re still wondering just how magnificent you really are:

“How is it possible that a being with such sensitive jewels as the eyes, such enchanted musical instruments as the ears, and such fabulous arabesque of nerves as the brain can experience itself anything less than a god?”

Mottisfont Rose Garden 2022

Mottisfont rose garden was looking spectacular on my visit on 8th June, possibly the best it has been, despite the rain at the weekend. 

 

For more photos, click here

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Favourite Gardens - Houghton Lodge

Houghton Lodge with its rose-filled verandah

Houghton Lodge is a splendid C18th fishing lodge high above the banks of the Test, in a most unusual 'cottage ornee' style, which has in recent years has had its extensive gardens hugely improved by the owners, Daniel and Sophie Busk. Sophie in particular has brought the huge walled garden back into perfect condition, and filled it with peonies and old roses (including a very rare 'Pope Pius IX') and trained some of the largest espaliered fruit trees in the country along its walls. New for 2022 is a sloping garden beginning with a cherry orchard and stream that debouches past cloud-pruned trees into an old lake, now cleared and planted and straddled by a beautiful Japanese bridge. 

The rest of the garden is at a similar standard, with sweeping views down the river from its high terraces. 

Of particular note is the lovely 'Peacock Garden' in box and the verandah hung with climbing roses.

 

For more photos of the gardens, click here

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Chelsea Flower Show 2022

 

Morris & Co 

The Chelsea Flower Show this year was notable for naturalistic planting and the strong structures that had been raised in the main show gardens. The top photo shows one of them that was due to be taken down and reassembled at Sculpture by the Lakes in Dorset. 

For a full set of photos, click here

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What is tbe Price of Electricity?

Here are our handy tips for understanding kWh and electricity cost per kWh. This will help you save money, energy and do your bit for the environment. Tick, tick and tick! 

Let’s start with the basics, what is a kW and what is a kWh?

A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a measure of how much energy you’re using per hour, whilst a kW is a measure of power. kW stands for kilowatt, a universal standard for measuring electricity. So, one kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. Your electricity provider charges by how much electricity you use per kilowatt hour (kWh). The kWh is a unit of energy, the number of kilowatts you use over time, on different things.

 

The more kilowatt hours, or kWh you use, the more you pay. So, how much does 1 kWh of electricity cost?

Energy is a measure of how much fuel is contained within something or used by something over a specific time period. Think of it like a Mars bar- the kWh is the like calories (or energy) within the bar, the kW is how you use those calories.

You might go for a fast, high-intensity run and burn off the energy in a matter of hours, or you might loaf on the sofa binging on Netflix, therefore stretching that energy out a bit. So, the electricity cost per kWh price you pay depends on how long you keep everything on. That’s why leaving your TV on standby or your charger plugged in still uses power and will add to the kWh cost on your energy bill (and wastes energy).

 

Now let’s look at lightbulbs.

Say you have ten 100-watt light bulbs, that would equal 1kW of energy usage (10 x bulbs x 100W = 1,000W= 1 kW). To work out the kWh cost, you’d multiply that by the amount of time you need them on and the electricity cost per kWh:

1kW x 10 hours x £0.16 electricity cost per kWh = £1.60 a day

Boom! It’s that simple! Take another look at your energy bill and you’ll see it start to make more sense.

You can apply this rule to your gas too (it will have a different unit cost to your electricity though).

According to the Energy Saving Trust the national average price (as of June 2021) per pence/kWh of electricity is £0.1636. We have rounded it to £0.16 for illustration purposes.

 

What determines my electricity cost per kWh on my energy bill?

We supply the kW power to meet the “demand” of our customers and demand determines the price. The price varies, depending on your supplier, tariff, meter type, region type. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the national average price for kWh in pence is £0.16. There are two main factors you can focus on when choosing your electricity and gas tariff:

• The unit rate - in kilowatt hours (kWh) and is the amount you're charged for the energy you use.
• The standing charge – this is a flat fee charged daily whether you're using any gas or electricity or not. This pays for everything needed to get the energy to your property via the National Grid.

 

When comparing energy deals, check these carefully. Whilst a tariff might have a low kWh unit rate, the price of the standing charge may be high, so check before you sign up.

 

How much energy do you use?

How much did that morning cuppa cost you? Is it important? Yes! Here’s why it’s worth knowing what electricity price you pay per kWh and how to easily convert your electricity cost per kWh into pounds and pence.

• How energy suppliers work out your bills
• Why some appliances use much more energy than others - and how much individual appliances use
• Why you should turn appliances off at the wall to save on costs, and why you shouldn't leave them on standby

 

How to become an energy saving expert in three easy steps

Now you know how much 1 kWh of electricity costs and how to convert kWh into pounds and pence. You can do a quick check of your home to work out your average kWh per day and find out where you can make changes to save on your energy bill.

Here are our three easy steps to help save on your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint:

 

Step 1 - Put a price on it

Everything with a switch costs you money and has an impact on your carbon footprint size. Say you have a brand-new large screen TV with a 500 W power rating (kW rating of 0.5) – and you want to know how much it costs to run. Multiply 0.5 by the time you spend watching it – say 4 hours a day. Your 0.5 kW TV uses 2 kWh per day.

Now, look at your energy bill. If your electricity price per kWh is £0.16, your TV will cost £0.32 per day to run (.5kW x 4 hours x £0.16). This may not sound a lot but it adds up to £116.80 a year - on top of everything else you’re using.

Here are a few more examples of standard home appliances and how much they cost to run:

• Laptop: 90 watts, .09kW x 10 hours a day @ £0.16 a kWh = £0.14 a day (£52.56 a year)
• Tumble dryer: 750 watts .75kW x 2 hours a day @ £0.16 a kWh= £0.27 a day (£98.55 a year)
• Microwave: 900 watts 0.9 kWx 1 hour a day @ £0.16 a kWh = £0.11 a day (£40.18 a year)
• Fridge: 250 watts 0.25 kW, 24hours a day @ £0.16 a kWh = £1.44 a day (£350.40 a year)
• Kids’ nightlight: 40 watts 0.04kW 14 hours a day @ £0.16 a kWh = £0.60 a day (£32.70 a year)

 

These examples are just a fraction of what you use in your home but highlight how you can add things up to work out your average kWh use per day.

If you've got gas central heating you can work out how much you're spending on heating your home, based on the national average kWh gas price of £0.04p.

 

Step 2 - Get in the habit, today

All good habits start right here, right now. Once you know your kW from your kWh and the amount of time you use things, you can build a profile of the kind of energy user you are and where you can reign things in. Are you a heavyweight or a featherweight energy user? Where are the hotspots in your home? Do you leave laptops plugged in? TV on standby?

You’ve heard of the 5/2 diet - maybe allow yourself that extra spin on the dryer at the weekend, but dry outdoors or overnight the rest of the week. Try to take a break at tea-time so you don’t have to re-boil the kettle ten times. You can also seek out energy efficient appliances like smart lightbulbs or washing machines.

From EDF Energy's website April 2022 

See also How to be a Bore About Almost Anything

Going Solar March 2022

The solar panels installed on the east and west sides of the garage roof

With the drumbeat of climate change underscored by the scherzo of higher energy prices, I took the decision in January to add solar panels to the roof of the garage at Old Swan House. After some research, I contacted Project Solar, who appeared to have a good reputation and a substantial organisation, and was visited by Steve Gibson, an experienced project planner, who spent several hours over two visits to scope the site and provide a detailed quote.

He recommended the maximum capacity available - a 5.8kw capacity system and battery using 15 of the latest monocystalline solar panels on both sides of the garage roof. The garage is over 50 yards from the house (and so isn't subject the listed building regulation) and can only be seen from the garden or the lane, and isn't visible from either of my neighbour's houses, so  it doesn't intrude or alter anyone's view. Having contacted the Parish Council who confirmed informally that they could see no objection on planning grounds, I accordingly ordered the system, which was installed over two days, being completed on 10th March 2022. 

The installation team of Phil, Craig and Chris were experienced and worked quickly, but  there was a delay in the supply of the panel mounts. Nevertheless the team needed most or the two days to dig the trench across the drive and part of the garden and lead the cable though the house to the fuse-board by the front door. Phil, the electrician, said it was one of the most challenging runs he had done, as the result of  the age of the house and the complexity of its construction. Indeed, the panels weren't installed until 3pm on the second day and were completed at night. The system has worked perfectly from that time and is now producing over 20kw energy a day, which feeds the house, the battery and then the grid. As the days get longer, it should produce at least 25kw a day and fill the battery to capacity so that its energy can be used at night.

The Inverter and the battery. The system is connected to wi-fi and can be accessed on my desktop as well as by phone.

   

 

     

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Michael Ignatieff on Consolation - the Book of Job and the Psalms

Michael Ignatieff

Michael Ignatieff, whom I have long admired since reading his superb biography of Isaiah Berlin, has given us some fascinating reflections on the subject of Consolation, illuminating the Book of Job and the Psalms in a most enlightening way. His talk, the first of several on the subject of Consolation, can be found on BBC Sounds here. 

Favourite World Radio - KPCC at 89.3 FM

KPCC

I am a great fan of KPCC, part of the US National Public Radio (NPR) network of non-political radio stations much like the BBC. Indeed some of their output is taken from BBC and World Service programmes. It goes out on 83.9FM and as it comes mainly from Los Angeles, is first heard here at night. However, the programmes can also be listened to at any time by following the link to the schedule.

The particular programmes I listen to regularly are shown below - with their most recent broadcasts to give a flavour of what one hears. They are always instructive, in depth discussions, and call on the expertise of trusted experts to explain difficult subjects rather in the manner of In Our Time or the best of Woman's Hour. They always ready to examine both sides of an issue, which is a tremendous relief. The presenters are extraordinarily fluid and 'fluff-free', which makes them all the easier to listen to.  

1A with Jenn White - What China’s infrastructure investments in Africa mean for the world

'1A is a show for a changing America'.

On Point with Megan Chakrabati - Omicron and Health Care - What's Really Going on in America's hospitals 

'Let's make sense of the world – together. Produced by WBUR in Boston, On Point’s vibrant conversation covers everything from breaking news to ancient poetry, and features writers, politicians, journalists, artists, scientists and ordinary citizens from around the world'.

Fresh Air with Terry Gross - Heartbroken - There's a Scientific Reason Why Breaking-up Feels So Rotten - by Florence Williams 

'Fresh Air with Terry Gross is weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues with intimate conversations and unusual insights'. She is an icon in America and her warm humanity draws out the best in her guests. I have ordered many of the books reviewed with their authors here from The Bookmark. 

Lighting the Garden at Old Swan House

The garden lights now come on automatically based on a movement sensor

I began putting lights in the garden a few years ago, first down the path through the box walk so that people could come and go between the house and the drive without going over the lawn. I was lucky enough to find some beautiful old copper lights at Fickle Pickle and have them 'plumbed in' by the inestimable Brian Gill. They have been completely trouble-free ever since. 

Lighting the garden path 

Later, Brian put in some LED lights down the garden wall and two floods, one at the end in the wildflower garden and the other lighting the end of the orchard, but one had to go out an turn them on in the garage and on the patio, and one rarely took the trouble. 

Now, Rob Allnutt has changed these lights to come on automatically at night with movement sensors, but they will only stay on for about 15 minutes unless one keeps moving.

Solar light on one of the columns in the 'Florentine Garden'

Finally, I have put in some solar lights on the two new columns in the 'Florentine Garden'. The come on automatically as it gets dark and light then columns rather well, but don't last very long in winter as there is so little energy captured by the solar panel.

The lights even light the pond

    

 

Vandana Shiva on Quantum Theory

 "The pandemic has killed many people. And the pandemic is because we killed nature. The UN has admitted we are only treating the symptoms as a medical problem. The real disease is a disease of our separation from nature, our mastery over nature, our sense of disrespect for nature's laws, ecological limits and planetary boundaries. Every turbulent crisis we face today comes from the illusion of separation.

Quantum theory is all about interconnectedness. The world is about vibration. The world is about sound and light. This we know. And yet we constantly deny it. We separate ourselves. We separate our minds from our bodies. We separate the Earth from ourselves. We will not be able to solve either the human crisis or the planetary crisis by maintaining separation and the illusion of separate essential things. We have to realise that vibration is what runs the world and it's only when this vibration expresses itself you get a wave or a particle, health or disease, happiness and well-being or mental trauma and mental problems.

Every part of our body is intelligent. Every cell is self-organised. Every molecule acts in concert, from the molecule to the body, to the ecosystems, to the planet; it is one amazing quantum chorus. It's time to stop denying this.

We are not the masters of the Earth. We have to restore thinking about ourselves with humility and recognise there are other beings on this planet with us, and if you take care of them we create prosperity for all. My work over the last five decades in service to the Earth has shown the more we give to the Earth, the more she gives to us."

~ Vandana Shiva

Scholar, author, philosopher, environmental activist--often referred as the "Gandhi of grain" for her activism associated with the anti-GMO movement.

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