Chapter 3: How to be a Genuine Fake

29 May 2012
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First let me say this: the audio version is exponentially easier for me to comprehend then the written one. Thanks for finding it for me. There are a few things I would like to discuss in this chapter.

The author suggests that there are a few models for the existence of the universe humans have contrived. The first is the clay model. This is the one that I am most familiar with. It is interesting that the author suggests that the inventors of this model got their reasoning from the fact that they were ruled by patriarchs, the highest of whom was a king. Of course, there must then be a king of the universe whom was also its designer and as a designer must also be intelligent. This patriarch of the universe is also its supreme judge: placing those who do not agree with his authority in torment, while placing those who do in bliss. The problem with this is that it produces the necessity of conformity, that is to say obeying a set of rules as to not catch the king’s ire. Watts posits further that our society, on whom we depend for survival also necessitates conformity, but it does so while also stressing individuality. This creates the paradox which does not allow for any real living. But on the other hand we must have rules; otherwise there can be no society, which we know the human race cannot survive without. The automatic model of the universe promotes a sort of “que sera sera” attitude, which in some instances is ok, but I believe it is impossible to live one’s life in this fashion. The author suggests “the fullest collaboration with the world as a harmonious system of contained conflicts—based on the realization that the only real "I" is the whole endless process. This realization is already in us in the sense that our bodies know it, our bones and nerves and sense-organs. We do not know it only in the sense that the thin ray of conscious attention has been taught to ignore it, and taught so thoroughly that we are very genuine fakes indeed.”

Isn’t this idea that the I is the whole the most supreme sort of egoism? Only if we forget that the I is the whole for the rest of the universe as well. I am slightly confused about how to live with this knowledge, but it is coming to me now as I write. This new revelation creates in me a purer motive for my actions then one that was previously there (i.e. do well because someone (society or God) is watching), but because every action and inaction composes my reality.