Inner feelings Quote by Alan W. Watts
![“[W]hat is ordinarily felt as the wayward, unpredictable, dangerous, and even hostile world - including one's capricious emotions and inner feelings - is actually one's own being and doing. The very sense that this is not so is, in turn, part of its being so,” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/541/alan-w-watts-9497_inner-feelings_w-hat-is-ordinarily-felt-as-the-wayward_3005743.jpg)
““[W]hat is ordinarily felt as the wayward, unpredictable, dangerous, and even hostile world - including one's capricious emotions and inner feelings - is actually one's own being and doing. The very sense that this is not so is, in turn, part of its being so,””
About This Quote
Source Speech: The Way of Zen, Alan Watts, 1934
Our perception of the chaotic world and emotions is actually a reflection of our own actions and being; recognizing this reveals that we are both the observer and the creator of our experience.
In simple terms: The world we see is a mirror of ourselves.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal responsibility for perception.
Themes
self-awareness
perception
responsibility
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- therapy
- meditation
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
mindfulness
existentialism
self-reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seeing the world as a mirror change your reactions?
- What habits help you stay aware of this reflection?
A Different Perspective
It can be overwhelming to accept full responsibility for external events.
![“[W]hen "the rule of law" becomes absolutized and everything is done by the book or the computer, people call out in desperation for the intervention of a reasonable human being.” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/09a/alan-w-watts-9497_books_w-hen-the-rule-of-law-becomes-absolutize_1411319.jpg)
![“[T]he art of life is more like navigation than warfare, for what is important is to understand the winds, the tides, the currents, the seasons, and the principles of growth and decay, so that one's actions may use them and not fight them.” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac3/alan-w-watts-9497_art_t-he-art-of-life-is-more-like-navigation_1279107.jpg)
![“[T]he natural universe is not a linear system. It involves an infinitude of variables interacting simultaneously, so that it would take incalculable aeons to translate even one moment of its operation into linear, alphabetic language.” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/916/alan-w-watts-9497_nature_t-he-natural-universe-is-not-a-linear-sy_1068590.jpg)
![“[T]he chances of survival are best when there is no anxiety to survive, and [...] the greatest power is available to those who do not seek power and who do not use force. To be anxious to survive is to wear oneself out, and to seek power and to use force is to overstrain one's system. One is best…” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/998/alan-w-watts-9497_anxiety_t-he-chances-of-survival-are-best-when-t_571080.jpg)
![“[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)
![“It was sometimes 60 degrees [Celsius], but it's very strange, cinema makes you forget reality most of the time. You are more concerned about your inner feelings, or your work.” quote by Isabelle Huppert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5fd/isabelle-huppert-9895_cinema_it-was-sometimes-60-degrees-celsius-but_179525.jpg)
