Not A Rectangle World

Breaking Free from the Rectangular Mindset: Insights from Alan Watts

Imagine a world where everything is neatly arranged into squares and rectangles. From the rooms we live in to the devices we use, rectangular shapes dominate our daily lives. But have you ever paused to wonder why? The universe doesn't confine itself to right angles and straight lines, and neither does nature. The inspiring philosopher Alan Watts posed this intriguing question, challenging us to question our 'rectangular' thinking.

My Encounter with Alan Watts' Philosophy

I remember the first time I read Alan Watts' thoughts on this subject. I was sitting in my rectangular living room, reading a rectangle-shaped book, utterly oblivious to the irony of my situation. I realized then how deeply ingrained these shapes are in our lives. Watts' words were like a gust of wind, blowing away the dust that had settled on my perspective.

"We think in terms of squares and rectangles when the natural world and the universe do not," Watts said. It was a simple statement, but it had profound implications.

His words stirred something within me. I looked around - at the square table, the rectangular bookshelf, the cuboid television set - and I realized how disconnected my man-made environment was from the natural, organic world.

The Paradox of Human Perception

It's fascinating how we humans, creatures of nature, have created a world so unlike the one we are part of. We construct buildings with sharp angles and straight edges, ignoring the fact that the universe prefers curves and spirals. Why do we do this? What makes us so different from the rest of the universe?

Perhaps, as Watts suggested, it's because we perceive the world through our 'rectangular' thinking. We tend to categorize, compartmentalize, and subdivide everything into neat little boxes.

A Shift in Perspective

Reading Watts' words was a revelation. It was as if I had been viewing the world through a narrow window and someone had just drawn the curtains back. I realized that my thinking, too, was trapped in rectangles. I was constantly trying to fit things into boxes, whether it was categorizing people by behavior or dividing time into neat segments.

But the universe doesn't work that way. It is fluid, dynamic, and ever-changing. It doesn't fit neatly into boxes, and neither do we.

A Practical Takeaway from Watts' Philosophy

The practical takeaway from Watts' philosophy is the need for a shift in perspective. We need to break free from our 'rectangular' thinking and embrace the organic, fluid nature of the universe.

When we stop trying to fit things into boxes, we open ourselves up to new possibilities. We become more flexible, more adaptable, and more in tune with the natural flow of life.

Watts' ideas also echoed something I've long believed: real patterns are rarely linear. They flow, bend, and unfurl like rivers or vines, guided more by nature than by geometry. The things I'm most drawn to—whether in visual art or music—mirror this natural elegance. My favorite pieces feel alive, composed of curves and textures that reflect the way leaves scatter in wind or melodies rise and collapse like waves. These organic patterns resonate deeper than anything rigid or grid-like ever could. They remind me that meaning is rarely found in the straight lines.

Reflecting on the Rectangular Mindset

Alan Watts' words continue to resonate with me. Every time I find myself trying to compartmentalize or categorize, I remind myself of the fluidity of the universe. It's not always easy to break free from the 'rectangular' mindset, but it's a journey worth undertaking.

As we navigate through life, it's worth asking ourselves: How much of our thinking is influenced by the rectangles and boxes around us? And how would our perspective change if we embraced the fluidity and dynamism of the universe?