It is interesting that Hindus, when they speak of the creation of the universe do not call it the work of God, they call it the play of God, the Vishnu lila, lila meaning play. And they look upon the whole manifestation of all the universes as a play, as a sport, as a kind of dance โ lila perhaps being somewhat related to our word lilt
Alan WattsFor the world is an ever-elusive and ever-disappointing mirage only from the standpoint of someone standing aside from itโas if it were quite other than himselfโand then trying to grasp it. But a third response is possible. Not withdrawal, not stewardship on the hypothesis of a future reward, but the fullest collaboration with the world as a harmonious system of contained conflictsโbased on the realization that the only real "I" is the whole endless process.
Alan WattsOf course, you canโt force your mind to be silent. That would be like trying to smooth ripples in water with a flatiron. Water becomes clear and calm only when left alone.
Alan WattsYou will begin to realize that if you contemplate long enough on the leaf of the flower, that it involves the whole universe.
Alan Watts