πŸ“š Watts Alan – The Universe Experiencing Itself
05. The Art of Awareness

30. The Game of Life

An exploration of life as a game β€” not to win, but to fully engage with. A reflection on seriousness, play, and the freedom that comes from participating without attachment.

2010-11-09 β€’ 2 min read

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The Game of Life

> "This is the real secret of life β€” to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now." β€” Alan Watts

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A Game Without a Score

If life is not a journey, perhaps it is something closer to a game.

But not the kind where you collect points, trophies, or approval.

More like the kind children play β€” simply because playing feels alive.

The strange thing about games is that they only work when you take them seriously.

But not too seriously.

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The Moment You Try to Win

The moment a game becomes only about winning, something collapses.

It becomes tense.

Rigid.

Heavy.

The same happens with life.

When every action becomes a move toward a future reward, joy disappears.

You are no longer playing β€” you are calculating.

And calculation is not the same as living.

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The Rules We Invent

We invent invisible rules:

β€œI must succeed.”

β€œI must become someone.”

β€œI must not fail.”

But who wrote these rules?

And more importantly β€” who said they were the point?

Games are meaningful not because they lead somewhere, but because they are fully happening now.

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Playing Without Fear

To see life as a game is not to dismiss it.

It is to allow space for lightness.

For improvisation.

For laughter in the middle of uncertainty.

When you understand that the game is not about securing a permanent victory,

you relax into participation.

And strangely, you become more skillful β€” not because you’re trying harder,

but because you’re no longer afraid.

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Engaged, Not Attached

The art is to play completely.

To care deeply.

To give yourself fully to the moment.

But without the burden of needing the outcome to define you.

The dancer doesn’t dance to arrive.

The musician doesn’t play to finish.

The child doesn’t run to reach the end of the garden.

They move because movement itself is the joy.

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> "Life is not something to win.

It is something to play."