LIVE EFFORTLESSLY | WU WEI | TAOISM | ALAN WATTS [ BLACK SCREEN / NO MUSIC / SLEEP ]
This talk is about acting naturally and spontaneously without any effort or striving. This concept of effortless virtue aligns with the Taoist idea of wu wei, which means "non-doing" or "effortless action." It's about acting in accordance with the flow of Dao, without imposing one's will or striving for recognition. So, in essence, true virtue arises naturally when one is aligned with the Dao and acts without self-consciousness or artificiality.
Furthermore, the idea of virtue in Taoism is not just about moral goodness but also about a kind of power or effectiveness that comes from being in harmony with the natural order of things. It's about tapping into the inherent potency of the universe rather than relying solely on personal effort or willpower.
In summary, Taoist virtue is about embodying the natural flow of Dao, acting spontaneously and effortlessly, and tapping into the inherent power of the universe rather than striving for recognition or moral perfection.
The passage discusses the concept of Wu wei, which is central in Taoism, translating to "non-action" or "effortless action." It advocates living in harmony with the natural flow of things, without striving or forcing outcomes. It begins with a Chinese poem depicting someone entering nature without disturbance, symbolizing the virtue of being unobtrusive and effortless.
Moving on, it explores how great artists or craftsmen create without appearing to exert effort, producing works that seem natural and effortless. The Taoist way of life, described as Wu Wei or "Don't Force It," emphasizes going with the natural flow of life, akin to swimming with a current rather than against it.
An anecdote about master swordsmiths illustrates the principle of effortless mastery, where the superior sword effortlessly avoids cutting a piece of paper. The discussion extends to martial arts like Aikido, where the aim is to be unattackable by flowing with opponents' movements rather than resisting them.
Examples from singing and meditation highlight how forcing or straining leads to poor results, while letting go and allowing things to happen naturally leads to better outcomes. A story about Liatza, a Taoist sage, illustrates achieving lightness and freedom by letting go of control and allowing things to unfold naturally.
The passage emphasizes the importance of purposelessness in Taoism, where excessive striving can hinder progress. Finally, it discusses living in the present moment, where true awareness arises naturally without effort when one stops trying to force it. Overall, it illustrates the Taoist principle of Wu Wei, advocating for living in harmony with the natural flow of life and allowing things to unfold without excessive effort or striving.
Пікірлер: 53
Alan Watts does for me what a good teacher does. He turns my head inside-out, upside down then right side up. A true Master. ❤🙏 #Alanwatts
Listening to Alan Watts has helped SAVE MY LIFE 💯🫂☯️🦋
@re9279
25 күн бұрын
❤
@robertstone1145
25 күн бұрын
His words got me through the darkest time of my life and he has been a life raft that has kept me afloat through storm after storm ever since. Forever grateful to this man and to all who let this man influence the way in which they go through the world, thank you❤
@Dao017
24 күн бұрын
Well, he died from alcoholism lol
@emmanuelzozobrado5981
24 күн бұрын
Like what Alan has said, if someone happened to benefit from his lectures...that's fine
@SusannahD.Kirksey
24 күн бұрын
Ditto! Alan Watts does what a good teacher does. He always turns my head inside-out, upside down then right side up. A true Master. 🙏 #Alanwatts
A brilliant master in his own right. His messages teach us so much. I am always grateful for these presentations.
The parable of the Chinese farmer was my introduction to A. Watts. That parable is mind expanding because you realize what little (if any) control you have over outcomes, as good or bad as they may be. That one really helped me to settle down.
This student was ready, THANK YOU teacher! I hope to listen and practice forever!
I love his talks on Tao
I have heard many of Alen’s talks, but never this one, amazing! Thank you
@kinbolluck476
26 күн бұрын
You're Welcome 😊 Please like and subscribe 🫠
@ThePittas
23 күн бұрын
It’s AI
@mnetzer6777
6 күн бұрын
@@ThePittasit's not AI, it's AW
Clarity on Taoism superb ❤
Alan Watts is my Guru 💫🕉
Imagine a genuis philosopher like alan watts recommended an other great philosopher Laozu , yeah everyone here knows what its means 😊just mindblowing, i feel so lucky in life to discover ancient great wisdom. The pleasure of knowing and discover new ideas is princeless in my opinion.
@ZENIFORNIA
20 күн бұрын
Love your comment👍🏼
@SpeechlessWow
20 күн бұрын
@@ZENIFORNIA Thank you
Yeah, we really need people to keep reposting these lectures. My favourite ones have been taken down.
@-9-7
4 күн бұрын
Sadly, the greedy relatives of Alan Watts try to take ownership of his work…
Love Alan Watts 💙
We always act spontaneously, because what we think we are (the mind) only ever experiences thoughts and sensations. As Watts reminds us: "You don't control your thoughts. You don't control your feelings." We learn, thank God. And we have a conscience. But we're not in control. We think we are, and that's the source of our consistent clenching in our bodies. Start paying attention to the clenching (dare yourself to feel your anxiety at all times), while beginning to admit that no: nothing could ever choose its thoughts. It can only ever have them. Even God. What do I mean by this? Thoughts occur. Desires occur. How would you choose a thought? By looking in a bag of thoughts and picking one? How would you pick? By looking at each and admitting to yourself at least the thought or thoughts that make you feel desire (for the thought). And yet you don't choose if you feel desire. You just do, or you don't. And hence we're not in control. Of anything. Nothing could ever be. And yet everything is in accord with something (God, the Tao). We never know what we'll think next. Life is therefore the constant surprise that Chesterton talks about. And finally, since you're not in control, you can't choose to see this, you can't choose for my words to resonate with you. They will or they won't. And in that same way we can't choose to have faith (trust in God, or the Tao)... and since we can't choose to, we can finally relax about whether we have it or not. And that relaxing is faith.
@mnetzer6777
6 күн бұрын
Great comment.
@seras6310
Күн бұрын
Well said :)
At 42:00 minutes… brilliant explanation of Wu Wei.
Great lecture!!! ❤
Something I must learn.
This one is one of my favorites of Watts. I love listening to him with darkscreen.
Not only we inspire the bases of binary but also they are DNA code they are by six to count till sixty three plus zero ,the six symboles are tow by tow so the number sixteen is written as 001000 means in DNA TAT three by three means CT.Thymine,Cytosine, Adeline,Guanine.❤
Let’s watch the actual lecture and see his chalkboard visuals, please!
The last 11 minutes is mana.
12:05
What is the name of the Chinese author he mentions at the 8 minute mark that sounds like joanza
@wondertalks-dg9jl
22 күн бұрын
Chuang-tzu
The following is pure conjecture. Value systems are a aspect of countenance I would believe past that a form of spiritual survival only the strongest semantic forms allow prosperity within, for most this is ok, I would tend to Believe this paragraph and hence the meaning of it.
@EmilPryosusilo-xv2bq
13 сағат бұрын
Holistically I approached this paragraph in compassion to the glory of mankind.
they had no microscopes but meditation on nature Shaw's you the same principle.6.12=72.2=144.30 degrees each =4320 / 360=12 if we take yin for 0 and yang for 1 .
It's like a social vaccination in one way.
Allen Watts is 50% bullshit and 50% profound wisdom. That’s what makes it beautiful and human.
@TheVgasm
13 күн бұрын
Where's the bullshit? That for all his understanding he drank like a souse?
@realburgergod
13 күн бұрын
@@TheVgasm Akido is absolute bullshit. Watts speaks of combat as somebody who has never been punched in the face and it shows.
@realburgergod
13 күн бұрын
@@TheVgasm how do you mean drinking like a sous?
@jujumulligan43
3 күн бұрын
It has been stated that Watts liked his booze. So what? Many, many throughout history were drinkers. Churchill for one. Watts was a brilliant man. A legend.@@realburgergod
turkish language please