Zhuangzi Explained: legendary parables for joyful living
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Zhuangzi was one of China’s greatest thinkers. His ancient parables are legendary, designed to recover your natural spontaneity. Sounds great, but can Zhuangzi’s stories help us find freedom in our modern, complex lives?…
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Professor Edward Slingerland’s Trying Not to Try
Essential reading for understanding Wu-Wei and how to cultivate spontaneity in your life:
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Zhuangzi: Basic Writings - Burton Watson
Poetic translation of the Zhuangzi. Closer to original text than C.C Tsai's: amzn.to/350rZFh
The Way of Chuang Tzu - Thomas Merton
Retelling of the Zhuangzi by Christian mystic, Thomas Merton: amzn.to/2MyAvFa
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☯ RECOMMENDED READING LIST
🔸Best Book for Beginners - Tao of Pooh: amzn.to/2ERXE3p
Benjamin Hoff delightfully explores Taoist principles with the help of Winnie the Pooh.
🔸Best Tao Te Ching - Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: amzn.to/2BPDaWy
Wayne Dyer applies the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching to modern lives. This book is transforming how I see myself and the world - it's a must-read.
🔸Supplementary Tao Te Ching - Tao Te Ching (Derek Lin): amzn.to/2GJ0Ivu
An accurate translation, getting you closer to Lao Tze's original meaning. Cross-reference with Wayne Dyer version.
🔸Zhuangzi: amzn.to/2tEvt2H
The second most famous Taoist text after TTC. Profound philosophy told through humorous stories.
🔸Further exploration - “Tao: the Watercourse Way”
World-famous philosopher, Alan Watts, explores Taoist concepts in his signature witty style.
🔸For personal growth - The Tao of Success: amzn.to/2EVCzoP
Derek Lin shows that being a Taoist doesn't mean becoming lazy. This book explores how to grow in harmony with the Tao. Highly recommended.
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Are you going to have this course again? Looks like I missed out.
Dear sir, thank you so much for representing the book of Zhuangzi.
And also thank you so much for the idea to send out a newsletter, I will take the service you offer immediately. 🙏
I'm just starting to learn about Taoism after studying Buddhism and Hinduism and how it relates to the mystical Christianity of writers like Meister Eckhart. There are so many connections and complementary things between all religions and philosophies. So these videos are very helpful. PS I love the fact you included a clip from 'Office Space' - that film really got me thinking about my life and I think it has some Zen/taoist qualities about it!
"Rejoice for those around you that transform on into the force. Mourn them do not, miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealousy, the shadow of greed that is." - Yoda (my favourite philosopher)
Me too...the trick is to be connected to everything/everyone but attached to nothing/no-one!
@@return2innocence221 We could perhaps say we should be united, but untied.
Alan Watts said that the unique thing about Zhuangzi is that he is the only philosopher that used genuine humor to convey his ideas...
Alan Watts also used humour alot... could listen to him all day 😍
@@return2innocence221 the "drop fart" wisdom of watts was one of my favorites!!! and its true!!! AW is the jazz
I love every second of this video! Will probably watch it again... and again 😊
glad you enjoyed it!! 💗💗
The Steps To Knowledge (book of inner Knowing) have been crucial in my securing a sense of inner freedom. I'd encourage anyone on this path to study them earnestly - they resonate with the great teachings from the past and have a great constancy with the teachings of Taoism. They are truly Heaven-sent. Happy 2020! T
Thank you. Will check it out.
Thank you George. I love your calm delivery. I aspire to that calmness.
thank you martin :)
Why Aspire for anything education doesn't matter neither does having a full set of teeth
Worth the wait! Great work as always George.
💗💗
BE AMAZED
*HOLY*
Fascinating to see you here. Honestly, that's pretty cool.
Thank you from the depth of my heart. I have been reading books, listening to audio books, surfing the net , meditating looking high and low for this. Finally here is something that synchronizes with my hunting questing soul. Soul satisfying. 💟💖💓
Fantastic the reason why he drummed was not for tradition but for for the acceptance the feeling of life continued the feeling is always the key , some may bang the drum increasing their attention on the pain , magnifying the pain its not what you do but how you do it.
Great video - I have been reading and living Taoism for over 20 years and still learned something new from your video. Well done
So glad you guys are learning zhuangzi's wisdom. Im a big fan of zhuangzi & laozi & Buddha's wisdom. Im still reading their books over and over again, and each time I learned something new about life and how to live life to the fullest.
It's great to see you just keep on growing George! You've been very inspirational to me when I was going through some difficult times. You're videos keep on being very entertaining, informative and engaging. Keep up with the good work!! ;)
thank you!
I have to admit how emotional this video made me feel...! It agrees with a lot of thoughts that I knew I had, but there is something about knowing that these are age old questions... It just lifts so much of any guilt that one may have about feeling that there is something that they are not doing quite right in their lives. There is no right, this idea of a non-perscriptive way to live your life is exactly what child-like playfulness is all about! At least that's how I perceive it. This is a wonderful work that you are doing and as an educator, I wish mainstream education in the UK was more like this!
Such incredible work, and wisdom. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼
Great video! Wow, it's a very small moment but what you said about intellectual achievement can be damaging and reading books but not meeting people I found relatable. First, it's difficult to meet others who are on a similar wavelength in general, but it's important to recognize it's still important to be social.
Everything that was told and described reminds me of our present and now self, our higher self. This is amazing. So grateful to come across this video. God bless.
The real Revolution is the evolution of consciousness 🌈 and it is happening 🌞 blessings 🌎 xxxxxxxxxxx
Professor Slingerland had a good point on habituation. In behavior analysis it is referred to as deprivation and satiation. The experienced potency of a reward can be modified by these two operations. I believe that, in order to live a good life, we must willingly put ourselves through cycles of deprivation and satiation so we do not become numb and lost to hopelessness. Dao De Jing highlights this perfectly by saying: "fill your cup to the brim and it will spill. keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt." The problem with modernity is that we inundate ourselves with potent pleasurable stimuli so continuously that we become satiated or numb to those stimuli and everything less potent than them. This results in a numb hopelessness. "Flavors numb the taste. Thoughts weaken the mind. Desires wither the heart."
This is one your best videos, George. Your content is the way for me to lead a fulfilling life.
And here it is.
Amazing, amazing. Thanks for keeping at it, George, you're one of my favorite content creators these days because of your originality, especially in themes.
really glad you enjoyed, thanks a lot!
Love this Tea Time George, your work is a beautiful mirror for our world. Let’s all have a playful tea time each day, imagine what that might do?
Absolutely play away your life. There's nothing to lose. Just remember to refrain from hurting others. Rest is fun.
So beautiful. I hope more and more people start to have awareness and learn to live a happy and meanful life. Life is complicated enough and let's live it in a simple way instead that makes everday and seconds worth to live.
I will say listening to these rn, I am taking notes cuz ik during times of depression, it's nice to look back on what I took notes on
I love and enjoy Zhuangzi very much. But this video made me think on how much we western people usually need recipes and in what extent we transform philosophy into recommendations of what to do (or not to do). It's really astonishing this capacity to transform a millenary and provocative wisdom into a comfortable bunch of simple advises. Alternatively, I think the text speaks so well by itself.
Yeah turning the Zhuangzi into a set of rules is so antithetical to the whole work
Wonderful video! I just recently discovered this channel. So inspiring and educational. I agree about death, why worry and why be fearful, it's a natural part of life. Our body may be gone, but the soul lives forever. If you do research on death, looking at near death experiences etc, there is nothing to be afraid of. The Eastern Philosophies speak to me. The West teaches fear of death. I definitely guide my life through the teachings of Taoism. Master Gu is delightful! Thank you George for getting these important teachings out there! 🐉🥋
lived in bristol from 1997 - 2001. love it. haven’t been back since. such a big part of my life. loving ur vids too. thanks
George! This series is wonderful so far! Exactly what I have been searching for. Thank you.
it is so much close to sufism. i have found a sufi master he told me about cleaning the mirror of the heart to see the world for what it is. I once asked him why u use metaphors why not clearly say it. he said that there are no words to express it just like love, ego, hate etc. furthermore nature makes it so, so that the seeker can work towards it and know how to work with it unlike just given to him. every precious thing like gold is less in the world and is hard to find and that is why there are very less ppl who really have the gift to see and to preserve it. he also said that secret lies in the inner self, listen from ur inner ear, see from ur inner eye and speak from ur inner tongue. i asked him what do u mean he said have u ever said something without even saying but inside urself u can speak and listen to it. when u start seeing there is no need for any conversation u know the inner nature of things talking to u directly for what they really are.
Tea Time Taoism is back ♥ Always great content, George.
Whoa, you’re super cute 😍
Tea Time Taoism is to be continuing - to deserve so many people's liking!
this was beautifully made and so pleasant to watch. thank you so much for sharing this with the world.
pleasure, thanks for watching!
George,
Congratulations on your pronunciation!
Not only is it important -- like Step One in not expressing contempt for the people you're with -- but among the many people who think pronunciation is worthwhile, George, you're in the minority who then get it more or less correct. 恭喜恭喜！
actually, pronounciation is not correct. but you are forgiven. and please dont use that Confucious picture. thats hongkong actor chow yuen fatt.
没修德的红猴。
Your content is so amazing! It's helping me so much you can't imagine. Thank you very very much
Thank you so much for this video. It helped me truly getting over the loss of my grandmother. Thank you
Hi George, I've made it a habit to watch your videos while drinking a cup of coffee before I start my day. I am truly thankful for what you do. So, thank you.
Oh if only youth could be eternal and the energy and optimism one had as a child could go on forever. Such wisdom one had as a child without knowing it.
Youth is eternal to the soul. People find a way to be a child at heart. Through music through song through cosplay and the like. Just cast away restrictions. You can find your inner child that way.
@@unokitsune You think so? It´s just that most people think one is weird or crazy. Only very few have courage to laugh liberatingly and break free of that stiffness.
@@renehenriksen1735 So one of my best defense was to get a license to conceal carry. A LCC in my state can only be acquired by one of a sound mind and never a felon.
It is crazy to break away from the Cookie Cutter Mold set by restrictive societies based on Gossip and Peer Pressure by Dead people.
To be an artist you are considered insane by default because you don't fit in the mold set by what society considers their interpretation of perfection.
Tapestries are woven from many different threads that were dyed and painted differently. A single color tapestry is a canvas to be painted on.
You fear societal consequences of breaking free. But in breaking free of them you make new friends new acquaintances.
I never fit in the mold many restrictive people set for me. I did my own thing. I did what felt right, from the heart, but also by law. So if rules were set that it had to be within them I found ways to be creative. Like being told we can make using a single yard of fabric. They never said the width of that fabric so I got one that was 108". Everyone else went for 45" and got mad at me because I though differently. I was within the rule and broke none. Now they restrict by making everything 45". But you can still get around that by making seam bindings from that 45" and make everything look professional on the inside.
Many adults hate the imaginations of children even if that child is in an adult body following adult rules. I'm living a childhood I didn't get to have as an actual child. I make my life Unicorns and Rainbows. I also know a Unicorn's horn can impale and kill you while Rainbows on the highway can cause a multi car pile up accident.
But if I am allowed to do my own thing without Gossip sending a Witch hunt after me, then people can continue to believe that unicorns poop rainbows instead of being scary enough to chase off dragons.
The Scottish and Irish depict Unicorns with a fierce Dragon's tounge for a reason.
@@unokitsune To say it short many adults are machinethinkers formed by the data-oriented paradigm of people like Bill Gates. He may be good and intelligent at what he does and the world may need people like him, but sometimes I think he lacks sould and heart. See him do a backflip for example and I think he would start a vendetta on people who can do it after failing.
Coming to an understanding that abandoning a life of distasteful work and drudgery is ok and utilizing your unique gifts and talents to contribute to a better world is true wealth.
Zh was a spiritualist as true buddhist thinking as way of life not religion. Thats right brain. Having Confucius n Lo were the left brain to live in 3d balance. You need both to survive between the heaven n earth realm. Its the way of the "Judah "=Jesus+Buddah . The true LeMU rising again. Would luv to see future each of story n teaching part of series for regular tv series. U got good voice as narrator. Humanity needs it instead of violence sex n drugs; esp in the west. If u go to asia , more tv n movies r spiritual base. Great vid. 🖒💖🌏🐉
Thank you Just what I was looking for. Just what I needed to hear.
enlightening, instructive, funny and calming. I enjoyed this a lot and will follow your work and learn more about the Dao! Thank you!
Superb video. So professionally put together and really successful at making ancient Chinese wisdom relevant and accessible. Really well done. Curious about your personal journey since you returned to the U. K. It has always been your interweaving of the personal struggles with the teachings and practices that you find helpful, that make your material so compelling.
Brilliantly thoughtful and such a wonderful flow of thoughts and ideas and peace. I so appreciate your ability to bring us into your learning.
George: a rational, lucid, and cogent presentation.
Holy heck like I was trying to get into Max stirner's philosophy and his writings where so hard to understand but a lot of what was shown in this video really helped get me to understand the underlying philosophy both Daoism and Egoism have
I have liked ,shared ,saved and downloaded this video.
Very well done and interesting! Thank you George!
glad you enjoyed!!
I love this video, keep them coming George, as I am in pain and conflict with the system we live in.
Ah that pic on the thumbnail!!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 Reminds of the chinese cartoon comic books, from where its from, of said philosopher!!! Suuuuuperbly well drawn and EXTREMELY funny! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂I dont have those books anymore but remenber them vividly! They where awesome!!!!
I'm so blown away by this video. Thank you for making Zhuangzi's work si relatable.
I have missed these videos so much! In my mind, its been awhile because of the hard drive mishap and having to start from scratch. What else can we do to help keep these videos coming?
just watch and enjoy my friend! thanks for following ☯️💗
You can support him through Patreon
Hello my friend good to see you again! Have you read, "The Te of Piglet" yet? Haha. I love your new journey and hope to be able to follow you once again. Stay healthy, peace.
Awesome! Thank you George !
Definitely enjoying this longer format - hope the CZcams algorithm doesn't hate you for it! Many thanks for the video. :-)
Thank you for this video!! Already saved it to rewatch again. I cracked at the turn of the computer XD if that's not playful I don't know what is.
I'll be looking forward for new videos :D but already appreciate all the ones that are already out!
So enjoyable these moments we spend with you George and dedicate to think about all these topics you put up. A kind of coffee break from this chaotic world . Thank you.
Thanks George, enjoyed this! You're helping us all to live like Hung Mung - slapping his thighs and hopping around like a bird for the sheer hell of it!
P.s Have you read any Joseph Campbell? I think I may have been going in a similar direction to you the last few years... 'Myths to Live By' has really connected some dots for me.
love this comment 😁
I started reading Hero with a thousand faces - but I didn't get far. It's on my reading list!
I'll check out Myths to live by
@@George-Thompson Yeh HWaTF is hard going! Like Alan Watts, I think he was a better speaker than writer, and Myths to Live by is really a collection of talks.
Thanks George, your authenticity and delivery is really something!
George I love your work. You and Jason Gregory bringing the Immortals back to our modern minds. Thank you!🙏
Thank You George
thanks for watching Chris :)
I'm very impressed with your channel and what you have to say. Brilliant really - - a brilliant light. Thank you for offering such beauty and clarity.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I appreciate you.
Taking a module now on chinese philosophy and this video helped me understand zhuangzi’s ideas so much better!!
recently found you and your video's in the mass of content on the internet, happy!! because you have so much to tell, so much i can learn from!! THANK YOU
thank you, hope you enjoy!
@@George-Thompson I just told my friend..... in a few years, that young man will be famous for his video & content and the way he is telling us about it!! And i can tell my friends... "yessss and he personally answered on my reaction on one of his video's, Whahahhaha, laughing about it but also being seriously
I stumbled upon your channel after trying to find out more on Taoism. I have loved watching your journey and am always excited to see more. I’ll have to get that book, I got the Tao of Pooh book and found it extremely helpful. All the best. :)
Your commentary on the way is truly enlightening 🙏
We judge others as we secretly judge ourselves. The pious thief will find fault when someone steals. The one who stretches the truth to look proper will find fault in people they deem are liars.
We have to face the part in ourselves that we blame others for.
That is the hard work. Then to forgive those we judge. When we can do that, we can forgive ourselves and set our judgements free along with us.
What a well made video!! Thank you!!
Marvelous. I marvel, in gratitude.
I do not use Amazon. Alt links are apprec..
your interpretations of the
meanings of such early ideas
were wonderful .. they were
done well and it helped make
the ancient thoughts easier for
trying to understand it .. good
job conveying the meanings
Loved this one too, George!! Hope all is going well my friend, and please keep the videos coming. They bring such happiness to my life.
True indeed.
How inspiring thank you. Your voice is lovely to listen to. The lessons are indeed welcome & very helpful for my spiritual journey. 🙏🙏🙏
George, I've been watching your videos occasionally for a few years, and I gotta say, this is the best one so far.
i'm delighted you think that. i feel like i'm improving with each video 😁
George, thanks for uploading. You are helping me and the world a better place.
This is an important rendering regarding healthy living. Thank YOU!
George
I have been following you on CZcams for a wihle now. But this video may realy be your best untill now. You just keep surprising me even after so long.. I am so happy CZcams showd me your chanel :)
Happy to follow you in this jorney. Wish you a joyfull 2020 :)
All I really know about this cat, Zhuangzi, is that there as many pronunciations for his name as there are people on the planet! LOL! I googled how to pronounce his name and every one was different. So I clicked on George's thinking: he has been overseas and studied under Master Gu. I'm sure his way is the correct way. But I laughed out loud for about a minute when you said his name and it was different from all the other ways! I think Taoists would appreciate that. If nothing else, I had a good laugh. Cheers!
Such a beautiful soul. Namaste 🙏🏼
Don't worry. Be happy. To be happy we have to be positive . To be positive we have to remove bias and on and on .. very nice video
George ...thank you. Lovely! I have been following your work since you began and I wanted to thank you for sharing your journey and for sharing the Tao with the world. I love your reverence for Tao. Keep up the good work! 🤗
Thank you Leanne!
More please! Thanks George!!
Very well done. Lao tsu was more matter of fact on the Tao. Zuangzu was adept at using at using humor and parables to present his philosophy. The two together bring an even deeper understanding of the Tao. I think lao tzu put more emphasis on getting back to nature. Zuangzu seemed to believe you could use these concepts where ever you are. The 2 together bring about a powerful philosophy that has changed and influenced my way of thinking. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the wisdom George!
This video- and all of your videos- are so inspiring and healing to my spirit. Feels like Home...❤️
Fantastic video George!! Thanks for taking the time to share your wisdom and that of other teachers :) Happy Holidays & have a wonderful inspiring start of 2020 😃
awesome. love zhuangzi
Watching this impressive, well-made video in the yard of the WTWA, with in my lap one of those two copies of the CC Tsai book you mention put a smile on my face. Thank you, George!
glad to hear friend!!
Eli is to be another Taoist !
I love the explanation George
This video really spoke to pretty much everything I am in a twist about at the moment!! Thank you so much! You are great!!! xxxxxx
You are so good at what you do. Thank you for making these incredibly fascinating videos!
Thank you for creating a very beautiful video!! Playful, and carefree is something I'll remember.
Very nice summary of profound theme George ....well done video! Thank you!
Beautiful work .
I’m gonna watch it again today.
Just found your channel. I absolutely love the way you present your videos. So full of information and you have a really natural way on camera. Keep up the great work 👍
I love this guy!
I’ve watched this video 3x already. I just love your channel and look forward to each new video.
Glad you are enjoying friend! 💓
Well that was very awesome man thanks! You have a very likable delivery bro. Peace to you
Well done George! 💪 I'm so happy to see from you😃
💗☯️
@@George-Thompson Hope u have a wonderful time! Have a great new year! 😇❤
Categories and ideas of right and wrong are left brain thinking that pull is out of holistic processing. Iain McGilchrist in his book "The Master and his Emmisary" shows how western society has become overly dependent on thinking and how that has affected our world.
Melanesian sailers are able to navigate intuitively by reading the stars and feeling the currents. They are fully present in the moment.
Great video, again, George. Keep up the good work.
Thank You very much!
This is so beautiful...yet so powerful...