Image Of Man [Myth and Religion]

Summary

This transcript features a lecture by Alan Watts, recorded in 1965 at Pasadena City College, as part of the Alan Watts Radio Series, specifically episode number 5 titled "Myth and Religion." The lecture, "The Image of Man, Part One," explores the nature of myth and religion through a comparative analysis of Western and Eastern religious and philosophical traditions. Watts begins by redefining the term "myth," emphasizing its original meaning as a symbolic image or metaphor used by humans to make sense of life and the universe, rather than simply a false or outdated story. He illustrates this with examples of metaphors used in science, such as comparing electricity to water or the expanding universe to a balloon. Watts then contrasts two major mythological images that have shaped human understanding: the universe as an artifact created by a divine craftsman, and the universe as a drama acted out by the divine. The first image, prevalent in Western religions descending from Hebraism—including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—portrays God as a personal, intelligent spirit who creates man and the universe as a potter creates a pot. This view sees the universe as a technical accomplishment governed by laws and principles, and man as a created being, distinct from God. Watts notes that even atheists and agnostics in the West retain a version of this artifact model, viewing the universe as an automatic machine without a creator. This artifact model leads to a mechanistic view of man as a machine or automaton, raising existential questions about consciousness, free will, and the meaning of life. The Western scientific approach, according to Watts, involves dissecting and analyzing the parts of the universe to understand its construction, reflecting the artifact metaphor. This worldview often results in a sense of estrangement from nature and the universe, and a technological drive to control and dominate the natural world. In contrast, Watts presents the Eastern, particularly Hindu, perspective which sees the universe not as a made object but as a divine play or drama (Leela). In this view, God is not a craftsman but an actor who enacts roles through all beings and phenomena. The divine is omnipotent in a non-technical sense, capable of creating and sustaining life without needing to understand or explain the process in words. Hindu gods are often depicted with multiple arms to symbolize this multifaceted, effortless power. The Hindu worldview rejects the strict separation between God and the world, seeing the world as God in action. This leads to the concept of the universe as a cosmic game of hide-and-seek, where the divine hides as individual selves (Atman) and later seeks itself. This cyclical process involves vast periods of time called kalpas, subdivided into stages of creation and dissolution, reflecting a dynamic balance between good and evil, light and darkness. Watts explains that this drama requires both hero and villain roles, good and evil forces, to create an engaging and meaningful story. The Hindu perspective embraces the paradox of good and evil being aspects of the divine play, with no ultimate victim or external evil force. This contrasts with the Western Christian narrative, which attributes evil to a fall from grace and a rebellion against a wholly good God. The lecture also touches on the implications of these differing views for concepts of self, morality, and salvation. The Western view emphasizes a finite ego and a moral struggle with sin and redemption, while the Hindu view sees the self as ultimately divine and the moral order as part of the cosmic game. Watts discusses the relationship between these religious traditions, noting that Christianity incorporates Judaism but excludes Hinduism, whereas Hinduism can encompass Christianity as part of its broader cosmic drama. Watts concludes by reflecting on the value of seeing life as a divine play, encouraging a balanced attitude that combines serious commitment with the recognition of life’s illusory and playful nature. This perspective fosters a sense of spiritual freedom and detachment, allowing individuals to engage fully in life’s challenges without being overwhelmed by them. Overall, the lecture provides a profound comparative analysis of myth and religion, contrasting Western and Eastern metaphysical images of the universe and humanity’s place within it. It invites listeners to reconsider their own beliefs and the underlying metaphors that shape their understanding of existence.