--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We accepted a definition of ourselves…" description: "\"We accepted a definition of ourselves which confined the self to the source and to the limitations of conscious attention. This definition is miserably..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c05/alan-watts-587_accepted_we-accepted-a-definition-of-ourselves-wh_2825986.jpg" --- # We accepted a definition of ourselves which confined the… ![“We accepted a definition of ourselves which confined the self to the source and to the limitations of conscious attention. This definition is miserably insufficient, for in fact we know how to grow brains and eyes, ears and fingers, hearts and bones, in just the same way that we know how to walk…” quote by Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c05/alan-watts-587_accepted_we-accepted-a-definition-of-ourselves-wh_2825986.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c05/alan-watts-587_accepted_we-accepted-a-definition-of-ourselves-wh_2825986.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c05/alan-watts-587_accepted_we-accepted-a-definition-of-ourselves-wh_2825986.jpg) > “We accepted a definition of ourselves which confined the self to the source and to the limitations of conscious attention. This definition is miserably insufficient, for in fact we know how to grow brains and eyes, ears and fingers, hearts and bones, in just the same way that we know how to walk and breathe, talk and think - only we can't put it into words. Words are too slow and too clumsy for describing such things, and conscious attention is too narrow for keeping track of all their details.” [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our self‑concept limited to conscious focus misses the full spectrum of bodily and mental capacities, which are hard to articulate. **In simple terms:** Self‑definition is too narrow and verbal. Key Takeaway Expand awareness beyond conscious limits. Themes selfhood perception embodiment Mood reflective introspective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - mindfulness practice - creative work - physical training - holistic education Key Concepts consciousness embodiment language cognition Questions to Reflect On - How can you sense beyond words? - What practices broaden perception? A Different Perspective Words and focus cannot capture the whole experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Limitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limitation/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Conscious attention is a designed function of the brain which scans the environment for any trouble making changes. 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