“You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean.”
This quotation by Alan Watts conveys the idea that, while a wave is an essential component of the ocean, all things in the physical universe, including humans, are interconnected and inseparable from one another.
By comparing people to waves and the physical cosmos to the ocean, it is implied that reality itself is intimately woven into the fabric of our existence. Humans emerge from and are linked to the physical cosmos in the same way that a wave emerges from and merges back into the ocean.
The remark suggests that there is no clear divide between people and the universe by highlighting the continuity between them and both. It implies that we are not solitary beings but rather interdependent parts of a greater totality.
This quotation emphasizes the interconnection and interconnectedness of all things while offering a philosophical insight on our role in the cosmos. It inspires reflection on how we interact with the natural world and fosters a sense of cohesion and shared purpose with the larger physical cosmos.