Afraid of life Quote by Alan W. Watts
““How many of us now realize that space is the same thing as mind, or consciousness? That when you look out into infinity you are looking at yourself? That your inside goes with your entire outside as your front with your back? That this galaxy, and all other galaxies, are just as much you as your heart or your brain? That your coming and going, your waking and sleeping, your birth and your death, are exactly the same kind of rhythmic phenomena as the stars and their surrounding darkness? To be afraid of life is to be afraid of yourself.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: The Nature of Consciousness, 1971
Mind and space are identical; the universe reflects our inner self, and fearing life is fearing ourselves.
In simple terms: The cosmos mirrors our consciousness; fear is self‑fear.
Key Takeaway
Recognize your unity with the universe to overcome fear.
Themes
spirituality
cosmology
self‑identity
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
inspirational
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- meditation
- creative work
- personal growth
- psychotherapy
Key Concepts
non‑dualism
interconnectedness
existential awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways do you see yourself in the world around you?
- How can this perspective reduce your fear of life?
A Different Perspective
Understanding this may cause existential anxiety.
![“[T]he question "What is everything?" has no meaning, even though it seems to be profound. [...] The point is, perhaps, that I am not looking for a verbal answer, just as when I ask for a kiss, I do not want a piece of paper with "A kiss" written on it. It is rather that metaphysical wonder looks…” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/705/alan-w-watts-9497_curiosity_t-he-question-what-is-everything-has-no_3984.jpg)
![“[T]he world as described is included in but is not the same as the world as it is. As a way of contemplation, it is being aware of life without thinking about it, and then carrying this on even while one is thinking, so that thoughts are not confused with nature.” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1ff/alan-w-watts-9497_contemplation_t-he-world-as-described-is-included-in-b_254933.jpg)
![“[S]een as a whole the universe is a harmony or symbiosis of patterns which cannot exist without each other.” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/782/alan-w-watts-9497_harmony_s-een-as-a-whole-the-universe-is-a-harmo_262535.jpg)
