“Try to imagine what it will be like to go to sleep and never wake up… now try to imagine what it was like to wake up having never gone to sleep.” Alan W. Watts

The opening quotes is a tough one to get your head around. At least it is for me.
I suppose it indicates a sense of “what if…”

What if life was over? What if you fell asleep and never woke up again? What if this was it?

In many ways this is it. This is the time we have and time is now. Today! In this moment.

For many of us including myself it is so easy to fall asleep. It is too easy to forget our story that is the driving force to living life with meaning. It is much too easy to fall stagnant as if we were not really awake. Just barely existing.

And then what would it feel like to wake up having never gone to sleep. That is the message behind this quote and much of Alan Watt’s work.

The message is to wake up. To become aware. To become once again aware of the true purpose and essence behind all life.

It’s about escaping the delusion of what life has become. Is there an opposite to everything we believe? As Alan said, “Black implies white. Self implies other, and life implies death – or death implies life.” If life is dissatisfying how can we be with that to a point in which it becomes

If life is dissatisfying how can we be with that feeling to a point in which it becomes satisfying? Perhaps it’s just a matter of perspectives.

It is about connecting to our story. The identity we attach to – the illusion that is Self, but necessary to harness, create and live a life of greater meaning. The story and identity that allows us to express, contribute and live with a higher level of significance. That is the strength that binds us to a higher purpose. Something that moves us beyond a selfish existence and pursuit towards an existence and pursuit that benefits all life as we know it.

As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Many people die at twenty-five and aren’t buried until they are seventy-five.” I don’t want to live that life. I don’t wish it for anyone else to live that life. And so I encourage myself and others to wake up!

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.

Coaching