Air Quote by Alan Watts
“A living body is not a fixed thing but a flowing event, like a flame or a whirlpool: the shape alone is stable, for the substance is a stream of energy going in at one end and out at the other. We are particularly and temporarily identifiable wiggles in a stream that enters us in the form of light, heat, air, water, milk, bread, fruit, beer, beef Stroganoff, caviar, and pate de foie gras. It goes out as gas and excrement - and also as semen, babies, talk, politics, commerce, war, poetry, and music. And philosophy.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: The Nature of Reality, 1970s (audio recording)
Human existence is a dynamic flow of energy, not a static object; we are temporary patterns in a continuous stream of matter and experience.
In simple terms: We are ever‑changing energy patterns, not fixed things.
Key Takeaway
Embrace change and the flow of life.
Themes
impermanence
energy
identity
interconnectedness
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- environmental stewardship
- creative work
- relationships
- health
Key Concepts
process philosophy
systems theory
ecology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing impermanence affect your daily choices?
- What stable practices can coexist with constant change?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the need for stable structures in society.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)