Alan Watts, the Buddhist scholar, proposed the existence…
“Alan Watts, the Buddhist scholar, proposed the existence of a mental faculty he called forgettory, which is the flip side of memory. There are times, Watts maintained, when we need to forget things, to let them slip away into the unremembered past.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Watts suggests a mental faculty opposite memory, allowing us to release unneeded thoughts into the past.
In simple terms: We sometimes need to let go of memories.
Key Takeaway
Allow thoughts to fade when they no longer serve.
Themes
memory
forgetting
mental health
mindfulness
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- stress reduction
- creative brainstorming
- emotional healing
- daily decision making
Key Concepts
psychology
Buddhist philosophy
cognitive flexibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What thoughts do you need to release?
- How can you balance remembering and forgetting?
A Different Perspective
Forgetting can also erase useful lessons if not managed.