Wu wei

[Amur]

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Found this about Wu Wei by Alan Watts. Pretty good

 

[Aeternus]

Indeed, the art of not forcing is great.

Not forcing change will lead to better results in one's acceptance of opinions, of course, if he / she wants to accept the said opinions.

The same goes with other things as well, such as diets. Not forcing a diet will lead you to a steady and healthy healing of your organism, not a stressful and even more damaging one

 

[Jackson]

It's idea is... not well covered in scholarship. On that front, if you look it, let me know if you find anything at that level, apart from Stringerland and the old works of Ames and Creel.

 

[Xenophon]

True enough, though rather too often, "not forcing" turns out to mean "never beginning." (Joe Stilwell has some very pungent comments about Chiang Kai-Shek's generals turning thusly philosophical when Japanese forces drew too near.) Indolence loveth its conceptual crutches.

 

[Amur]

True enough, though rather too often, "not forcing" turns out to mean "never beginning." (Joe Stilwell has some very pungent comments about Chiang Kai-Shek's generals turning thusly philosophical when Japanese forces drew too near.) Indolence loveth its conceptual crutches.

I would say "Never beginning" is not proper non-doing, and is more like going inside with the counter-force of your mind. Which means that it is still an action than non-action. There is always a counter-force within which goes along with your choices of mundane life.

Another thing bout non-doing is that you do not need to hold your head up or when you walk you can walk as relaxedly as you want until you reach proper non-walking.

 

[Xenophon]

I would say "Never beginning" is not proper non-doing, and is more like going inside with the counter-force of your mind. Which means that it is still an action than non-action. There is always a counter-force within which goes along with your choices of mundane life.

Another thing bout non-doing is that you do not need to hold your head up or when you walk you can walk as relaxedly as you want until you reach proper non-walking.

When I wrote "too often" maybe I should have clarified. "Wu wei" in the wrong hands (or echoing in the wrong ears) can become alibi for indolence. But then, no doctrine is abuse-proof.

 

[Amur]

When I wrote "too often" maybe I should have clarified. "Wu wei" in the wrong hands (or echoing in the wrong ears) can become alibi for indolence. But then, no doctrine is abuse-proof.

Ahh yeah now I understand you. Yes I agree with that. Just another western thinking for lazyness or procrastination.

 

[Shade]

Nice, I remember Ram Das mentioning Wu-Wei in one of his lectures but I somehow missed this one by Alan Watts.

 

[Khoren_]

As Always, I defer to Ms Wen:

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She really does a good job of bringing the mythos to "the west" or more accurately "non-practioners"

 

[Shade]

As Always, I defer to Ms Wen:

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She really does a good job of bringing the mythos to "the west" or more accurately "non-practioners"

What in your opinion is some of the most important information she provides? (Ofc everyone may have different opinions) I’m curious

 

[Khoren_]

What in your opinion is some of the most important information she provides? (Ofc everyone may have different opinions) I’m curious

Honestly, her relating all of it to the culture and mythology provide the context needed to actually understand the I Ching and the Tao Te Ching. Like sure, you can read a thousand different translations, but she provides the context within the ideograms so you can come to your own understanding.

If you specifically mean for the wu wei, its the combination of the video i provided coupled with her video on

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that provided the best context for Wu Wei as it being not really [not acting] but closer to an "acting with the flow" where the flow is both your own personal purpose, the material circumstances that surround you, and the understanding that if you fight against either of these, you will be impeded in your growth/journey.

 

[Shade]

Honestly, her relating all of it to the culture and mythology provide the context needed to actually understand the I Ching and the Tao Te Ching. Like sure, you can read a thousand different translations, but she provides the context within the ideograms so you can come to your own understanding.

If you specifically mean for the wu wei, its the combination of the video i provided coupled with her video on

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

that provided the best context for Wu Wei as it being not really [not acting] but closer to an "acting with the flow" where the flow is both your own personal purpose, the material circumstances that surround you, and the understanding that if you fight against either of these, you will be impeded in your growth/journey.

I really like that breakdown. Thank you for taking the time to expand on what stood out most to you.

 

[Moongarm71]

Alan was my introduction to Taoism. I remember exploring the remnants of his Druid Heights commune as a teen.

 

[Shade]

Alan was my introduction to Taoism. I remember exploring the remnants of his Druid Heights commune as a teen.

I was hooked on him when I heard his lecture on fear. He has such a fascinating view of life’s intricacies.

 

[NightWatchman95]

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Found this about Wu Wei by Alan Watts. Pretty good

alan watts was a pothead hedonist, i dont respect him.