Discussion: Daoism

Discussion: Daoism
Description of Assignment:

Choose ONE option.

Option 1: The Wu-Wei Principle

Wu Wei is the Daoist concept of spontaneous and effortless action. One manifestation of it occurs at special times in repetitive activities like running, when the thinking mind is at rest and there are no concerns about pushing harder or winning or losing. All tension is absent, and one is especially in tune with the body and the environment. Movements are precise and intuitive, and one is unaware of chronological time. The Daosts maintain that this is all quite natural and this kind of awareness can be cultivated in various ways.

Everyone has experienced such moments at one time or another. Explore your own experiences of such times and interview friends or family members of theirs. Before reflecting on this idea, read further at the following link:

http://www.jadedragon.com/archives/june98/tao.html

Option 2: Quotation

Interpret the meaning of this quotation as it relates to Daoism:

“Once Zhuang Zhou dreamed he was a butterfly, a f1uttering butterfly. What fun he had, doing as he pleased! He did not know he was Zhou. Suddenly he woke up and found himself to be Zhou. He did not know whether Zhou had dreamed he was a butterfly or a butterfly had dreamed he was Zhou. Between Zhou and the butterfly there must be some distinction. This is what is meant by the transformation of things. (An excerpt from The Zhuangzi)