Episode 1
Nothing
Basing his ideas on sensory perception and physical experience, Alan Watts makes a compelling argument that everything actually depends upon nothing for its very existence.
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts
TV series
The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts
1972TV-Y71 season10.0 / 10
The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts video series was recorded in 1971 above Muir Woods, California, and in 1972 aboard the ferryboat the SS Vallejo in Sausalito. Produced by his son Mark and directed by long-time archivist Henry Jacobs, the series explores core philosophical themes that spawned over Watts' career.
Availability
Not streaming in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts premiered December 31, 1972. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Synopsis
The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts video series was recorded in 1971 above Muir Woods, California, and in 1972 aboard the ferryboat the SS Vallejo in Sausalito. Produced by his son Mark and directed by long-time archivist Henry Jacobs, the series explores core philosophical themes that spawned over Watts' career.
Season 1 episodes
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Episode 2
Ego
Alan Watts was concerned with the way we trap ourselves in words. He considered it unfortunate that we separate the "I" from reality and think of "I" in terms of how others see us or the image that we want to project. What is the answer?
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 3
Meditation
As Alan Watts explains, "A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts and loses touch with reality." He covers basic mediation techniques, including listening without naming and mantras or sonic meditations.
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 4
God
To many of us the image of God as a gray-bearded omnipotent and omnipresent supreme being has become implausible, yet the common sense notions of divine authority surrounding that image persist.
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 5
Cosmic Drama
Alan Watts further explores the Hindu dramatic view of the universe, in which God plays all of the parts - all the while pretending not to know who he/she/it is!
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 6
Time
Here Alan Watts points out that our insistence that the past determines the present is nonsensical.
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 7
Work & Play
Alan Watts swirls an orange on a string and shoots an arrow high into the air before explaining why the art of living is being paid to play - and to the extent that we feel compelled to work and survive, life becomes a drag.
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 8
Death
Alan Watts comments on the circle of life and our response to the surprising event of being born in the first place.
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 9
The More It Changes
Alan Watts speaks on our fascination with reproduction through media, and on the far out notion that human beings may just be one star's way of becoming another star!
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 10
Clothing
After talking about growing up near London, Alan Watts demonstrates a variety of cultural garb and points out how each influences the way we live and feel. His choices of attire include a western business suit and a kimono.
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 11
Do You Smell?
Alan Watts speaks about our most repressed sense. Here he introduces viewers to the intricacies of incense in front of a small Buddhist altar, while commenting on the types of incense used in Church rituals and all across Asia.
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode 12
Conversation with Myself
While walking in a field above Muir Woods, Alan Watts points to humankind's attempts to straighten out a wiggly world as the root of our ecological crisis.
Where to watch The Essential Lectures of Alan WattsEpisode information updated Jul 22, 2026
Available now in United States
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More about The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts
Cast
Alan WattsAlan WattsCredits
- Created by
- Alan Watts
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Video
- Episodes
- 12
- Original language
- English
Themes
alan wattseastern philosophyegointrospectivemeditationphilosophypsychologysociety