Wu-wei (I'm not talking about the rug pisser)

[MindAbiding]

Hey Dudes,

I've been working through a book recently called Do Nothing & Do Everything: An Illustrated New Taoism. From what I've read so far I can't claim the book is great, but there are some nice moments. A couple weeks ago I came across one excerpt with obvious relevance, but I was reluctant to share just then lest I fuel the fire of our recently departed Dude.

In one chapter, the author (who is Chinese) talks about coming to America and finding that there were different ways of saying goodbye, "Take it easy" and "Take care." He runs into some confusion because his professor uses both expressions (at different times) to say goodbye, and the author takes them literally thinking, in one case, that he was too uptight in class and that he should loosen up, and in the other case, that he was too "free" and that he needs to be more deferential.

Anyway, he goes on to talk about "Take it easy" and "Take care" in the context of Taoism and Confucianism, respectively:

"When they face the world, Confucians take care while Taoists (Dudeists??) take it easy. Confucians worry about future consequences, while Taoists enjoy the present harmony. Confucians hold life and names dear. They climb on the mountain of life and see that the path to glory is always rugged. They counsel caution and warn fellow climbers, 'Take care.'

Taoists know that life comes and goes. They deny none of their natural penchants, repress none of their desires, and never feel the spur of reputation. They saunter through life, gathering its pleasures as the whim moves them. Since they shun personal fame and gains, they are beyond care and fear. Name and gain are temporary visitors, not permanent residents of the world. They climb the mountain of life, see the setting sun gild the sky, and announce triumphantly: 'Take it easy.'"

Thought this was nice, Dudes, and a reminder of just how often Taoism gets interpreted in modern times to sound a whole lot like Dudeism.

[cckeiser]

Great fine dude!
And you are right....that is what Dudeism really is Taoism for today's world. That is exactly what The Dude represents....a Taoist philosophy of life.

[elgranduderino]

Interesting. I always thought that "take it easy" meant more. Very nice post Mind, sir.