The Way of Zen

The final meaning of negative theology, of knowing God by unknowing, of the abandonment of idols both sensible and conceptual, is that ultimate faith is complete letting go. Not only is it beyond theology; it is also beyond atheism and nihilism. Such letting go cannot be attained. It cannot be acquired or developed through perseverance and exercises, except insofar as such efforts prove the impossibility of acquiring it.

Letting go comes only through desperation when you know that it is beyond you – beyond your powers of action as beyond your powers of relaxation. When you give up every last trick and device for getting it, including this “giving up” as something that one might do, say, at 10 o’clock tonight. That you cannot by any means do it – that is it! That is the mighty self-abandon which gives birth to the stars. Alan Watts, from The Way of Zen

More Alan Watts on Beyond Meds:

• Alan Watts – Tribute to Carl Jung

• Right here, right now: Alan Watts and Chögyam Trungpa (and Fat Boy Slim!)

• Alan Watts on insecure societys and hermits

• Our Need For a Sense Of Unity

• Accepting the Darkness of Self and Others