LIVE EFFORTLESSLY | WU WEI | TAOISM | ALAN WATTS [ BLACK SCREEN / NO MUSIC / SLEEP ]

wonder talks
wonder talks
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Published 2024-04-04
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.
All Comments (21)
  • @SusannahD.Kirksey
    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
  • @josephslinskey
    Listening to Alan Watts has helped SAVE MY LIFE 💯🫂☯️🦋
  • @PtolemyPetrie
    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.
  • @thedeadpiratessociety6135
    Yeah, we really need people to keep reposting these lectures. My favourite ones have been taken down.
  • @Murphy1177
    This student was ready, THANK YOU teacher! I hope to listen and practice forever!
  • @jujumulligan43
    A brilliant master in his own right. His messages teach us so much. I am always grateful for these presentations.
  • @JoshDooG
    BLACK SCREEN NO MUSIC FOR THE WIN. THANK YOU 🙏
  • @jmm803
    I often times find myself googling words that Alan speaks, absolutely love his talks.
  • @timberjohnharkins
    I have heard many of Alen’s talks, but never this one, amazing! Thank you
  • @cecilcharlesofficial
    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.
  • @SpeechlessWow
    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.
  • @EvolvedSun
    Thank you for publishing this on your channel. I've heard this one before and it's still my favorite by AW.
  • @ZENIFORNIA
    This one is one of my favorites of Watts. I love listening to him with darkscreen.