“What we see as death, empty space, or nothingness is only the trough between the crests of this endlessly waving ocean.”
— Alan Watts
Simplified Meaning:
This quote is saying that what we think of as death or emptiness is just a low point between the high points in the constant flow of life. Imagine the ocean waves—they rise to a peak and then dip into a trough before rising again. Life is similar; it has ups and downs, but the lows aren't the end—just part of the ongoing cycle. In everyday life, think about when you feel really low or sad. It can feel like things will never get better, but just like waves always rise after they fall, good times and happiness come back around. If you lose a job or face a tough breakup, it might seem like the end, but these are just temporary lows. Soon enough, you'll find new opportunities and reasons to be happy again. Historical events can also illustrate this. After tough times like wars or natural disasters, societies often rebuild and sometimes come back stronger. So, when you face hard times, remember they're just part of life's flow, and better days are ahead. Just like the ocean never stops moving, life keeps going on with new chances and experiences waiting.