Today, the sky rumbles with billowing rolls of grey.

Shadows lengthen between the trees and the mountains, here in Breckenridge, Colorado, turn tumultuous and towering.

Today, the arriving rainstorms are welcomed with sighs and triumph, instead of scorned as a monstrous bully toying with our limited summer days.

Smoke has choked the air from surrounding forest fires, causing more coughs, headaches, fear, and shortness of breath during a pandemic where these symptoms prove more ominous than mere thunderstorms.

That’s how life goes, doesn’t it?

The same rainstorm that might ruin our afternoon plans to barbecue with friends turns into a gift from the gods. A gift that clears the air, making way for fresh, bold inhales.

Is it not our perception, our mere place in reality, that determines what judgements we pass—good or bad, kind or cruel, vindictive or vindicated?

The past few months, I’ve fallen out of touch with trust, with faith, with my quirky relationship with the universe.

During a shift here at Elephant Journal, I stumbled upon an old friend, an old teacher—Alan Watts, who dare I say, shaped my view of the universe and direction of my life.

There is something about his voice, confidence, knowledge, and speech that inspires me and makes me feel connected to something larger than myself.

Time and time again, his lectures have launched me into a mental plane of ecstasy, liberation, insight, and peace.

Once, I listened to one of his lectures, laid back, and experienced what a yogi might call a brief moment of Samadhi: I experienced a vast vision of the universe and stars and planets, and felt connected to everything—free from fear—and joyful, oh how joyous.

Here are five timeless Alan Watts videos that will restore your faith in the universe and life:

What Do You Desire

Live Fully Now

The Dream of Life

The Real You 

Happiness

And while you’re at it—here is one of my favorite guided meditations:

“This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” ~ Alan Watts. 

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