Trying Not to Try: The Art and Science of Spontaneity by Edward Slingerland

Author:Edward Slingerland
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Psychology, Science
ISBN: 0770437613
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2014-03-04T00:00:00+00:00

WANDERING FREE AND EASY

Like the enlightened monks in the koan literature, the exemplars that appear in the Zhuangzi are designed to show us how happy and effective we would be if we could transfer control from the conscious to the unconscious mind. Although Zhuangzi often uses the activities of artisans or workmen to illustrate this point, the examples of Butcher Ding and Woodcarver Qing are meant as metaphors—the real goal is to teach us the “secret to living life.” Butcher Ding’s blade has no thickness, so it can play in the spaces in between the tendons and bones. In the same way, a person who genuinely has no self can move smoothly through the social world.

Zhuangzi shares with our other thinkers a conviction that wu-wei leads to de, although the power of Zhuangzian de lies not so much in attracting others as in relaxing them. At one point Zhuangzi notes that if you are out boating on a lake and someone in another rowboat collides with you, you get angry, yell at them, and curse. If the same thing happens with an empty rowboat—say, one blown into your path by the wind—you simply shrug it off and go on your way. The goal of the Zhuangzian sage is to empty his boat, so he can collide with others without arousing any animosity.

There are also suggestions that, should the Zhuangzian sage nonetheless attract attention to himself, his powerful de will be clearly visible to others, allowing him to proceed on his way unmolested. One story tells of a man who is training fighting roosters for a king. After ten days of training, the king asks if they are ready.

“Not yet. They are still too arrogant and dependent on their physical qi.”

After another ten days the king asks again.

“Not yet. They still react to noises and movements.”

After another ten days the king asks again.

“Not yet. They still look around aggressively and are overflowing with qi.”

Finally, after another ten days, the king asks again.

“They are close enough. Even if another rooster crows they show no change of expression. Looking at them, you’d think they were made out of wood, so perfect and complete is their de. Other roosters will not even dare to approach them, and just turn and run.”

Again, Zhuangzi’s aim here is to tell us, not how to run a successful cockfighting business, but how to live a successful life. Complete relaxation and freedom from external concerns perfect your de and make you formidable, conveying a confidence and ease that makes others think twice before messing with you.

Yan Hui at the end of the “fasting of the mind” story is a great example of how selflessness, interpersonal responsiveness, and social success go together. No longer deluded by rigid teaching or preconceived goals, and free of ulterior motives and self-importance, he is able to really listen to the king and to “sing” only when the king is ready. In this way, he’ll not only manage to keep his head attached to his shoulders but also potentially win over the king.

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