EASTERN PHILOSOPHY - Lao Tzu

The School of Life
21 Nov 201405:29
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe script explores the enigmatic figure of Lao Tzu, the 6th century B.C. Chinese philosopher and founder of Daoism, whose teachings are preserved in the Tao Te Ching. It delves into the legend of Lao Tzu's departure from a morally corrupt court, his writing of the Tao Te Ching, and his subsequent disappearance. The summary highlights Daoism's enduring popularity, its practices, and the philosophy of living in harmony with the Dao, emphasizing stillness, openness, and the importance of embracing one's true self amidst the chaos of the modern world.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Lao Tzu, also known as Laozi or Lao Tze, was a possibly mythical Chinese philosopher from the 6th century B.C., associated with the Tao Te Ching.
  • 📜 Lao Tzu was a record keeper in the Zhou Dynasty court, who left due to moral corruption and wrote the Tao Te Ching at the border before disappearing.
  • 🌐 The Tao Te Ching is likely a compilation of works by many authors over time, reflecting Daoist philosophy that has been passed down for over two thousand years.
  • 🧘 Daoism, founded by Lao Tzu, is a spiritual practice still popular today, practiced by millions worldwide, involving meditation, scripture chanting, and worship.
  • 🏞 Daoists make pilgrimages to sacred mountains in China to pray and absorb spiritual energy, believing these places to be governed by immortals.
  • 🔗 Daoism is intertwined with other Chinese philosophies like Confucianism and Buddhism, sharing stories and perspectives on life.
  • 🍇 A story illustrates the differing views of Lao Tzu, Confucius, and Buddha on the world, with Lao Tzu finding sweetness, reflecting his philosophy of underlying harmony.
  • 📖 The Tao Te Ching provides life instructions similar to the Bible, focusing on the Dao as the path to virtue, happiness, and harmony.
  • 💭 Lao Tzu encourages effortless action and living in harmony with the Dao, suggesting a purposeful acceptance of its way.
  • 🧘‍♂️ He advises taking time for stillness, letting go of worries, and experiencing the world, as nature accomplishes everything without hurrying.
  • 🕊 Lao Tzu emphasizes the importance of being open and emptying the mind to experience life's moments and reconnect with our true selves.
  • 🌳 Nature serves as a guide to finding oneself and cultivating virtues, as Lao Tzu compares natural elements to qualities we should develop.
Q & A

  • What is the uncertainty regarding the historical figure Lao Tzu?

    -Lao Tzu's historical existence is uncertain; he may have been a real person, a record keeper in the Zhou Dynasty, or entirely mythical, much like Homer in Western culture.

  • What is the significance of the Tao Te Ching in Daoism?

    -The Tao Te Ching is considered a sacred text in Daoism, traditionally attributed to Lao Tzu. It is thought to be a compilation of works of many authors over time and provides instructions on living a virtuous and harmonious life.

  • What is the legend surrounding Lao Tzu's departure from the Zhou court?

    -Lao Tzu is said to have grown tired of the moral corruption in the Zhou court, left on a water buffalo to the western border, and was asked by a border official to write down his wisdom, resulting in the Tao Te Ching.

  • How is the Tao Te Ching similar to the Bible in its teachings?

    -Like the Bible, the Tao Te Ching offers often vague instructions that are open to multiple interpretations on how to live a good life, focusing on virtue, happiness, and harmony.

  • What is the concept of 'Dao' in the Tao Te Ching?

    -The 'Dao' in the Tao Te Ching refers to the 'way' of the world, which is the path to virtue, happiness, and harmony, and is guided by an underlying force that maintains order amidst apparent discord.

  • What does Lao Tzu suggest for achieving a state of stillness?

    -Lao Tzu suggests taking more time for stillness, letting go of schedules, worries, and complex thoughts to experience the world and allowing the universe to surrender to a still mind.

  • How does Lao Tzu view the pace of nature in relation to human life?

    -Lao Tzu reminds us that nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished, implying that certain aspects of life, like grieving or growing wiser, happen on their own schedule and should not be rushed.

  • What metaphor does Lao Tzu use to describe the usefulness of emptiness?

    -Lao Tzu uses the metaphor of a pot, stating that 'The usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness,' suggesting that we should empty ourselves of preoccupations to be more receptive to life's experiences.

  • What does Lao Tzu advise regarding being in touch with our real selves?

    -Lao Tzu advises that we should spend less time worrying about who we ought to become and more time embracing who we already are at heart, rediscovering forgotten aspects of our true selves.

  • How does Lao Tzu relate nature to personal virtues?

    -Lao Tzu compares parts of nature to virtues, such as water being like the best people who benefit all without competing, and suggests that each part of nature can remind us of qualities we should cultivate.

  • What relevance does Lao Tzu's philosophy have in the modern world?

    -Lao Tzu's philosophy is relevant in the modern world as it serves as a reminder of the importance of stillness, openness, and self-discovery, especially in a society often distracted by technology and focused on rapid change.

Outlines
00:00
📜 The Life and Philosophy of Lao Tzu

This paragraph delves into the enigmatic figure of Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher from the 6th century B.C., whose life and teachings are shrouded in mystery and myth. Lao Tzu is believed to have been a record keeper in the Zhou Dynasty court, who later grew disillusioned with its moral decay and left to become a hermit. His departure is famously marked by the writing of the Tao Te Ching, a sacred text that is considered to be either his own work or a compilation of many authors over time. The Tao Te Ching and the teachings of Lao Tzu have significantly influenced Daoism, a spiritual practice that continues to thrive today, with millions of followers worldwide. Daoists engage in meditation, scripture chanting, and worship, often visiting sacred mountains to pray and seek spiritual energy. The philosophy of Lao Tzu emphasizes harmony with the Dao, the natural way of the world, and offers practical advice for living a virtuous and harmonious life, such as embracing stillness, patience, and openness to experience the world fully.

05:03
🧘‍♂️ Embracing Stillness and Self-Discovery

The second paragraph highlights the importance of stillness, openness, and self-discovery as central themes in Lao Tzu's teachings. It suggests that in our fast-paced, technology-driven modern world, we often overlook the value of being still and open to our inner selves. Lao Tzu's philosophy encourages us to take time for quiet reflection, to let go of our preoccupations and to experience the world in its simplicity. By doing so, we can reconnect with our true selves, rediscover forgotten aspects of our personalities, and live in harmony with the Dao. The paragraph also emphasizes the importance of being receptive to the world around us, rather than being consumed by our ego or ambitions, and the role of nature in helping us find our virtues and cultivate them.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu, also known as Laozi or Lao Tze, is a central figure in Chinese philosophy, traditionally believed to be a record keeper in the Zhou Dynasty around the 6th century B.C. His name is often associated with the founding of Daoism, a spiritual practice that emphasizes living in harmony with the Dao. In the script, Lao Tzu is depicted as a sage who, disillusioned with the moral corruption of the court, imparts his wisdom in the form of the Tao Te Ching before disappearing from history.
💡Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching is a foundational text of Daoism, attributed to Lao Tzu. It is a collection of teachings that guide the reader towards understanding and living in accordance with the Dao, or 'the way'. The script suggests that while the Tao Te Ching is traditionally ascribed to Lao Tzu, it may actually be a compilation of works by various authors over time, reflecting the evolution of Daoist thought.
💡Daoism
Daoism, also spelled as Taoism, is an ancient Chinese spiritual and philosophical tradition that focuses on aligning oneself with the Dao, or the natural way of the universe. With millions of followers worldwide, especially in China and Taiwan, Daoism is characterized by practices such as meditation, chanting, and worship in temples. The script highlights Daoism's enduring popularity and its intertwining with other Chinese philosophical schools.
💡Dao
The Dao, or 'the way', is a fundamental concept in Daoism. It represents the underlying principle of the universe, the path to virtue, happiness, and harmony. The script describes the Dao as something that guides the world with an underlying harmony, which can be understood and followed through the teachings of the Tao Te Ching.
💡Stillness
Stillness is a key concept in the script, referring to the practice of being at rest and allowing the universe to reveal itself. Lao Tzu is quoted as saying, 'To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.' This concept is tied to the Daoist practice of quieting the mind to experience the world more deeply and to be in harmony with the Dao.
💡Effortless Action
Effortless action, or 'wu wei' in Chinese, is the idea of acting in a way that is in harmony with the natural flow of things, without struggle or force. The script suggests that to follow the Dao, one must learn to act with effortless action, accepting the way of the Dao and living in harmony with it.
💡Nature
Nature plays a significant role in the script as a metaphor for virtues and as a source of wisdom. Lao Tzu is quoted comparing the best people to water, which benefits all things without competing. Nature is also presented as a place for self-discovery and a reminder of qualities we should cultivate, such as the strength of mountains or the resilience of trees.
💡Patience
Patience is emphasized in the script as an essential quality for living in accordance with the Dao. It is highlighted through the reminder that 'nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished,' suggesting that we should allow things to unfold in their own time, much like the changing of leaves or the blossoming of bulbs.
💡Empytness
The concept of emptiness is used by Lao Tzu to illustrate the usefulness of being open and receptive. He states, 'The usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness.' This concept encourages individuals to clear their minds of preoccupations to be more present and aware of the world around them, allowing for a deeper connection to the Dao.
💡Ego
The script discusses the ego as a potential barrier to self-discovery and alignment with the Dao. It suggests that by letting go of our ego, we can become more receptive to the world and discover our true selves. Lao Tzu's quote, 'When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be,' encapsulates the idea of transcending the ego to embrace our potential.
💡Modern World
The modern world is presented in the script as a context where Lao Tzu's teachings are particularly relevant. With distractions from technology and a focus on constant change, the script suggests that the principles of stillness, openness, and self-discovery can help individuals find balance and connection to their true selves.
Highlights

Lao Tzu's identity remains uncertain, with his name having multiple translations and his existence possibly being mythical.

Lao Tzu was a record keeper in the Zhou Dynasty and a contemporary of Confucius, though his role may be legendary.

Lao Tzu is believed to have left the morally corrupt Zhou court and wrote his wisdom down at the border, creating the Tao Te Ching.

The Tao Te Ching may be a compilation of works from various authors rather than solely Lao Tzu's.

Daoism, founded by Lao Tzu, is a spiritual practice that continues to be popular with millions of followers worldwide.

Daoists practice meditation, chant scriptures, and worship in temples, often visiting sacred mountains for spiritual energy.

Daoism is intertwined with other philosophies like Confucianism and Buddhism, sharing stories and perspectives.

Lao Tzu's philosophy sees harmony in the world's apparent discord, guided by the Dao, or 'the path'.

The Tao Te Ching offers life instructions similar to the Bible, focusing on virtue, happiness, and harmony.

Following the Dao requires flowing or effortless action, accepting its way and living harmoniously.

Lao Tzu advises taking time for stillness, allowing the universe to reveal itself to a quiet mind.

Nature's pace teaches us patience and the importance of following our own schedules for growth and healing.

Lao Tzu emphasizes the importance of openness, comparing the usefulness of a pot to the emptiness that allows it to hold.

Being still and patient allows us to experience and reconnect with the world and ourselves.

Lao Tzu encourages us to be in touch with our real selves, rediscovering forgotten aspects of our personalities.

The true self is found by being receptive to the world, rather than focusing on an internal ego.

Nature serves as a guide for self-discovery and the cultivation of virtues, as exemplified by water's qualities.

Lao Tzu's teachings are relevant for modern society, reminding us of the importance of stillness and self-discovery amidst constant change.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Taoism (Daoism) Explained by Taoist Master

TAOISM | The Philosophy Of Flow

E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 11. The Great Teacher of a Great People'

4 Ways To Simplify Your Life - Loa Tzu (Taoism)

6 Ways To Be In Flow With Your Life - Lao Tzu (Taoism)

Zhuangzi - The Sage of Uncertainty

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Lao TzuDaoismTao Te ChingPhilosophySpiritualityInner PeaceHarmonyMeditationNatureStillness