A Dip into Philosophy: Action and Non-Action

Venue: Ellen Meville Centre, Helen Celark room (ground floor lounge).

Action & Non-action: Daoism for the Modern World (道家) If we were to compare philosophies to brains, we could look at Western philosophy like the left hemisphere, with its often analytic emphasis on focused effort, deliberate will, detailed planning, and a sense of control. Let’s consider the much more right-hemispheric Daoism, with its broader, intuitive, contextual awareness — open, receptive, and flowing with what is already unfolding. Where and why may the highest power come from not forcing anything at all? Lao Tzu teaches wu wei—“non-action” or “effortless action”—the art of aligning so perfectly with the Dao that things accomplish themselves. The sage never strives, yet nothing is left undone. True strength is soft, yielding, and invisible; the greatest rivers carve canyons without ever pushing. The Tao Te Ching goes even further, warning that: "The more laws and restrictions there are, The poorer people become. The sharper men’s weapons The more trouble in the land. The more ingenious and clever men are, The more strange things happen. The more rules and regulations, The more thieves and robbers. Therefore the sage says: I take no action and people are reformed. I enjoy peace and people become honest. I do nothing and the people become rich. I have no desires and people return to the good and simple life." Where do you see action in the modern world creating problems? As more food for thought, here are some short introductory videos: https://youtu.be/NvZi7ZV-SWI https://youtu.be/dFb7Hxva5rg You’re welcome to join us for a harmonious discussion!