--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are sick with fascination for the…" description: "\"We are sick with fascination for the useful tools of names and numbers, of symbols, signs, conceptions and ideas. Meditation is therefore the art of su..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/alan-watts-587_art_we-are-sick-with-fascination-for-the-use_820963.jpg" --- # We are sick with fascination for the useful tools of names… ![“We are sick with fascination for the useful tools of names and numbers, of symbols, signs, conceptions and ideas. Meditation is therefore the art of suspending verbal and symbolic thinking for a time, somewhat as a courteous audience will stop talking when a concert is about to begin.” quote by Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/alan-watts-587_art_we-are-sick-with-fascination-for-the-use_820963.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/alan-watts-587_art_we-are-sick-with-fascination-for-the-use_820963.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/alan-watts-587_art_we-are-sick-with-fascination-for-the-use_820963.jpg) > “We are sick with fascination for the useful tools of names and numbers, of symbols, signs, conceptions and ideas. Meditation is therefore the art of suspending verbal and symbolic thinking for a time, somewhat as a courteous audience will stop talking when a concert is about to begin.” [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. The quote warns that modern obsession with language and symbols can cloud direct experience, and meditation helps quiet that mental chatter. **In simple terms:** We overthink with words and symbols; meditation quiets the mind. Key Takeaway Practice meditation to reduce mental clutter. Themes mindfulness language symbolism consciousness Mood calm reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational mindful When to use this quote - daily work - studying - creative brainstorming - stressful meetings Key Concepts cognitive overload symbolic thinking meditative practice Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape your perception? - When can silence improve decision‑making? A Different Perspective Meditation may not eliminate all mental noise, only reduce it temporarily. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Conception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conception/) [Concerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerts/) [Courteous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courteous/) [Fascination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fascination/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Ideas Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas-meditation-473836/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Meditation Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation-art-473838/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Numbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numbers/) [Sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sick/) [Signs Conceptions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/signs-conceptions-473840/) [Stop talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-talking/) [Symbolic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbolic/) [Symbolic Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbolic-thinking-473837/) [Symbols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbols/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Verbal Symbolic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verbal-symbolic-473839/) ## Related quotes > [One of the many sad results of the Industrial Revolution was that we came to depend more than ever on the intellect, and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/one-of-the-many-sad-results-of-the-industrial-revolution-was-that-we/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“Symbolic thinking of any kind would signal downfall, in Crake’s view. 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