Lao Tzu - The Art of Not Trying

A curious Taoist sage, Lao Tzu, was aware of the human quirk of getting so lost in intellectual prisons that people forget the natural way. And so, they force and strive, swimming against the stream, sometimes ending up further away from their goals than when they started. So, what if we stopped trying so hard and found a different, more effortless way of getting things done? This video explores Lao Tzu & The art of not trying.
This episode of After Skool was written and narrated by Einzelgänger, a channel dedicated to exploring various topics and ideas. To learn more, visit the Einzelgänger KZbin channel: / @einzelgänger
Please consider supporting After Skool on Patreon. Thank you! / afterskool

[@Einzelgänger]

Thank you for the collaboration. I'm honored! The result is awesome!

[@Vugen18]

that was about time

[@sylvarogre5469]

I follow both channels. It good to see you working together. Thank you both.

[@Madasin_Paine]

Good work

[@ConsuelaDeLarge]

Two of my favourite channels collaborating 🙌🏻

[@Madasin_Paine]

On YT This book is a video narrative by a Good translator. And a good enough elocution. The natural settings sounds and slightly psychedelic micro touches is just fine. Like a spiritual shower Maybe it doesn't last But practice watching again Listening. It catches on. Things magnify for Good

[@AfterSkool]

A few months ago, I put out a poll asking, 'what great philosopher should After Skool cover?' Among names like Marcus Aurelius, Aristotle, Rumi, Confucius and many more, Lao Tzu received the vast majority of the votes. So I searched far and wide for content on Lao Tzu, and the best I found was from Einzelgänger. This collaboration took a ton of effort, but I truly believe it's the best video yet. It is one I will revisit frequently to maintain peace of mind. It was an honor to work with Einzelgänger. Please check out their channel. If you want to help create more animations like this, please support After Skool on Patreon. Thank you. One love. www.patreon.com/AfterSkool

[@IAMTatianaIAM]

Thank you! I absolutely love your channel! One of my favorites! 🫂

[@modocroughstock5700]

Awesomeness aplenty

[@Einzelgänger]

Thank you for the collaboration and opportunity. It was great working with you, and I'm very impressed with the result!

[@emmetbohan]

This is pure gold 🟡 Please do Rumi 🙏❤️‍🔥🙏

[@Captain_Pistachio]

Thank you for this collaboration. Genuinely love it when my fave KZbin channels work together without anyone asking for it.

[@Brian_Barby]

"Mastering Others Is Strength. Mastering Oneself Makes You Fearless." ~ Lao Tzu

[@reikaratnam]

Master your mind or have it mastered by others.

[@deanbutler3264]

Mastering others ?

[@deanbutler3264]

​@@reikaratnaml concur! Namaste 🙏

[@bernadettebenton3603]

@@deanbutler3264he’s talking about trying to control others

[@bernadettebenton3603]

I prefer the translation by Wayne Dyer- “Mastering others requires force Mastering the self requires strength”

[@SithBich]

I loved the visualization of the man dragging his entire past behind him trying to move forward.. SO profund and right.. Well done! So talented.

[@TakeControl1337]

"Control over others is weakness disguised as strength." - Eckhart Tolle

[@reikaratnam]

Tell @elonmusk that

[@ladydeerheart1]

❤

[@colinrussell2017]

​@@reikaratnamIt shows with him. No one could try harder.

[@WilcoxNotreallythere]

​@@reikaratnamtell Biden and Anthony Fauchi that.

[@alrivers2297]

​@@WilcoxNotreallythereWrong! Don the Con, MTG, GOP, Maggots

[@wendychavez5348]

The Universe is always working to rebalance itself. I've learned over the years to adjust my plans to what the Universe tells me, and strive for the best outcome within that framework. Surprises are a lot easier to deal with in this practice!

[@jeffreyhamilton8950]

I discovered this when I finally let go of the things I thought I wanted. It was more out of frustration than out of understanding the Tao. I now have a wife, children, and a comfortable life. I’ve gone from a 60-70 hr corporate workweek to less than 20 hours of work per week. I was practicing wu wei without knowing.

[@user-ui7cc2cb6p]

It's great!

[@danielledagba6290]

Wow! Still the secret

[@Spiderzs888]

This exact same thing happened to me. I wanted so badly to make the basketball team for 7 years and I would train for at least 3 to 5 hours a day. Then in my junior year I let go of it a genuinely did not give any shits if I made the team. That year I didn’t even plan on trying out. Then all of a sudden the coach saw my brother playing in the gym and told him about me. One of the coaches asked me to join, but because I kind of let go I decided that playing basketball right now would take up too much of my time and turned him down. A few days later I ran into the head coach in the library and we started talking and then he invited me to come to conditioning so that way he could train me himself. By the time tryouts came back around I made the team😤. That’s when I truly felt the Wu Wei in action

[@hcm444]

I know what you mean. I used to work hours and hours of unpaid overtime because in my head it was the only way I could get through all my work to a high standard. One day I realised I was not appreciated, and was just a number. I cut back and now only work the hours I am paid to do. I got my life back. I am happier, and strangely enough I can still get through my work. I have no idea what I was actually doing when I was working all of those hours of working unpaid overtime!

[@mrollins42]

Thanks so much to the people of After Skool for the animation and to Einzelgänger for the audio content. I love and support this work. ❤

[@AfterSkool]

Thank you. Much love.

[@rb-ct4ri]

​@@AfterSkoolamazing

[@alexwilliamson6590]

@@AfterSkool

[@Changing-Times]

In my humble opinion, you get back what you put in. On a universal level. Be trusting and happy as a child putting carefree vibes into the cosmos brings these energies back to you. I agree much easier said than done. Wish only goodness to all in all things, and watch what happens. Give it time you won't be disappointed. Good luck to us all in all things.

[@Meursault_1111]

“Stop thinking, and end your problems.” ~ Lao Tzu

[@reikaratnam]

Youd be brain dead by then

[@UltimateAwe]

You can’t stop thinking, but you can observe your thoughts with discernment.

[@are_birds_real]

Pretend they dont exist, and dont solve them?

[@garrettkittel304]

@@are_birds_real Thinking and worrying actually prevents you from taking action, effortlessly and without incessant thinking patterns that usually take energy away from working towards a real solution. If there is no real solution to work towards, you can accept it. Which will usually leave you less worried and able to take action if possible. The ego will say "if I don't worry all the time, we are doomed" in reality if you worry all the time you aren't present to actually improve your situation. Perception creates reality. Read the Tao Te Ching.

[@Meursault_1111]

@@UltimateAwe I’ll be sure to let Lao Tzu know.

[@NanheeByrnesPhD]

Having taken a Taoism course in Korea, I can say that it's not stop trying, or not doing, but doing without trying like the nature.

[@PoolKid75]

"You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try." - Homer Simpson

[@athena2zeus54]

Ha I love that episode

[@andanssas]

"Do or do not. There is no try. " Yoda 2 animated charcters can't be wrong, can they? 😂

[@cindyspiess9963]

🤦‍♀️🤣

[@sudokuacrobatics]

The only winning move is not to play!

[@mangaspawn5057]

"You're damned if you do and you're damned if you dont," - Bart Simpson

[@patt.mazzei]

Thank you so much for this video. Such a beautiful explanation and paired with gorgeous illustrations that really get the point through. It inspired me to try less hard and be more present. I will definetly save it for later when life carries me away and I get too try hard about whatever the next thing is. Thank you!

[@aubreyporter6152]

“You trust or you don’t” that’s such a good quote

[@tharlove119]

If you ever listen to anything while reading comments, let it be this - go to borlest and read the book whispers of manifestation, then come back and thank me

[@ron3799]

Behind a pay wall :( What is it about? Could I get some passages from the book to decide if I should buy it or not?

[@escapematrixenterprisejacq7810]

@@ron3799 people never stop all self-centeredness

[@SKOMonster]

​@ron3799 they are abusing this space to peddle their bs, that's what it is about. This is essentially a scam message. Manifestation is a bizarre construct, according to which, if you think really hard about the think you want, e.g. money, it will manifest itself for you, you will "attract" it (of course, they may as well say "summon it"). It's like motivation books taken even further. It's completely anti-spiritual and anti-philosophical, lot of these fake gurus try to sell you a book that will make your dreams come true by simply concentrating on your dreams in your head (and often also paying them some form of contribution to help you manifest better). So his point is exactly, that you pay for this book.

[@SKOMonster]

It is a scam to sell you the book which promotes the charlatan concept of manifestation. I think he wants you to buy the book before you can see, what bizarre nonsense you bought ​@ron3799

[@tylerdean7274]

@@ron3799 I think hes trying to scam people

[@barttheraven]

"Do or do not, there is no try." - Master Yoda

[@TREBLEBOOSTER65]

My theme right now 💯

[@acraze2287]

a large amount of people that watched star wars don't know that george lucas was heavily inspired by asian philosophy

[@WilcoxNotreallythere]

I think the flow state would have something to do with the force too. "Be like the water. The water erodes Boulders."

[@rugbyman6]

tell that to the bone thugs and akon

[@starscreamthecruel8026]

I quoted that to my friend on the phone the other day and he laughed and said: No, all there is, is try because nothing is set in stone. So now, I dont know what to believe.

[@ReynaSingh]

Control what you can and make peace with the rest

[@Java_Ram_जवा_राम]

Best advice ❤

[@silentstrategist07]

U cant tell that to a person dying due to cancer at a young age

[@FoggyTimes98]

​@silentstrategist07 I don't think there's anything you can say to anyone that is going to die. Its beyond words. You would talk through your heart.

[@MrKevlarkent]

@@silentstrategist07 it is only when youre facing death that you can truly let go

[@PoolKid75]

Right, so when what you can't control oppresses you and tries to take away your freedom you should just make peace with it, bend over and take it happily?

[@taoman108]

Love both of these channels. Thank you for coming together for this!

[@MattAngiono]

I love your team red vs team blue Yin Yang at the beginning! I spend countless hours trying to get people to look beyond such false dichotomies. We only hurt ourselves by reinforcing such divides

[@LittleHeyoka]

But it seems so plain and simple, is so easy to follow... too bad, so many people fall for this.

[@happyhobbit8450]

@@LittleHeyoka It's simple and basic but not easy because society dichotomizes and side tracks us ... we've been duped in so many ways but especially the birthday con-cept

[@bennyskim]

@@LittleHeyoka They don't fall for it they like it. People like conflict. If you're born into a wealthy family like Lao Tzu, maybe your philosophy is to tell everyone to slow down and stop trying. If you're born into a poor family, maybe your philosophy is to create your own reality, to make things happen, etc. It depends on what will be good for you. Lao Tzu's philosophy is really bad advice for the underdog.

[@LittleHeyoka]

@@bennyskim how can you say Lao Tzu qas born into a wealthy family, if it is not even proven until today, that he actually existed. There are no documents, no texts, that report of him or his work. Do you know what Lao Tzu actually means?

[@hiteshkumar4728]

@@bennyskim Again you have made a struggle by making "poverty" into a problem; you have equated money with contentedness and well-being. The poor man who is in that state of Wu-Wei is no poor man at all; the entire world bows before him

[@Draakie100]

I love this channel. It celebrates humanity, life, and our magical universe as a whole. Quantum mechanics/physics taught me to "see" beyond what I can see, hear, taste, and touch....and this channel helps me make sense of it all. Please keep doing what you do 👍 I wish everybody a happy and magical life 🙏

[@IMediaVsRealityI]

"When nothing is done, nothing is left undone"

[@aplik881]

Excellent, so expectations don't paralyze us 😅

[@TheMysticalCompass]

Story of my life 😅

[@Amphitera]

is that how people end up in garbage heaps and dirt, because the trash doesn't take itself out and the house won't clean itself, no matter how many years they're practicing the splendid way of wuwei? ^^

[@TheMysticalCompass]

@@Amphitera 😄

[@normavoyton3208]

"In trust there is no trying- you trust or you dont" 🙏 ❤️

[@PoolKid75]

"By refusing to help me, you left me with the same choice I had to begin with, to try or not to try, to take a risk or to play it safe. And your arguments have reminded me how precious the right to choose is. Because I've never been one to play it safe. I choose to try." - Captain Jean-Luc Picard

[@au9parsec]

Lao Tzu's philosophy of not trying goes hand in hand with Transcendental Meditation, since one of the things they teach about TM is that the way to have a successful TM session is to not to try to clear your mind of your thoughts during your TM sessions, but to just allow your mind to have thoughts during TM since thoughts are a natural part of TM since engaging in TM isn't based on any type of effort other than just repeating your mantra inside your mind.

[@WilcoxNotreallythere]

Flow state

[@esmeraldareynolds2159]

My best lesson given to me by Master Rasaji was: Love them where they're at 💖. Let go let God. Blessings and peace to all. ❤

[@polarbear369]

An outstanding collaboration between two awesome channels! Great job After Skool and Einzelgänger!🤩

[@dwightwest2885]

Love the Tao! You cannot push water uphill. We do have will power, but we must not over control.

[@speedisoftheessence]

The legend himself, Einzelganger!!!

[@RemotelySkilled]

Marvellous! What a great team effort introducing a very difficult eastern (for hard to translate and sort of alien) philosophy to western screens. I'm but blown away by the sheer, overwhelming integrity and deem this channel an actual gem, which should govern how the rest of KZbinrs approach decent content creation. Once more, you continue to surprise with prompt and down to earth yet mesmerising roughly 15 min of solace amongst many dupers and soulless bots. Thank you so very much!

[@RemotelySkilled]

Addition to the host: Please don't ever take me as two-tongued or reactionist. My personal philosophy goes like somewhat: "Honour to whom honour is due." All effort we make and achievements we produce, are just artifacts of blinks in time and you, my friend and mate, if I may, know exactly how to steer through the mist of confusion, being a landmark and guidance on the map of how to do it. I was disappointed by many greedy channels, but I am absolutely positive, that directly when you think about attention, you think about whether it's justified and sound. Just in order to be proud and feel as part of a more valiant kind. That's the person I see behind the illustrations and productions. You're a role model and that's your merit! Never ever let that become given (because you're very special) and I'm sure your won't by now!

[@ManiKais]

There’s something really enjoyable about watching a left hand drawing.

[@aplik881]

Yeah I felt it too, it appears like a flow state...specially for the right handed I guess 😅

[@pratiksmriti9929]

The art work was magnificent! Well done.

[@mikeskragge]

Thank you! I very much needed this right now. A reminder to practice present moment awareness and trust in the universe ☯️

[@zensvlognotapro]

We don't need to compete instead let's collaborate 😊. Bless Us All 🙏

[@link867777]

Thank you for this amazing Collab! Einzelgänger has been a constant watch for me as has after skool. Seeing this makes my soul happy. Cant wait for more :)

[@Safar-v5m]

This is brilliant!🦋🙏🦋

[@seddik6522]

Hi After Skool, I just wanted to tell you that your channel is a real gold mine !!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@AfterSkool]

Thank you. Much love 💚

[@happyhobbit8450]

Nature always wins ... go with the flow. I was explaining the rules of the road to my grandkids and consider DO NOT INTERRUPT THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC a top rule. I live near Radium Hot Springs BC where they just put in a traffic circle ... there use to be a 4 way stop. Of course traffic coming from AB is high on Friday and going back to AB on Sunday so the circle is much better and accommodates this rule. It's the same with life where forgiveness is a top rule of mine now whereas I use to hold grudges but that just took up too much space in my head. I lived in Edmonton AB when they had traffic circles everywhere and then they took them all out, not sure why. I remember my kids telling me that my brother had my car and them and was suppose to pick me up but was early so he kept going around the circle because they said 'Go around again'! Thank you for these wonderful thought provoking videos!!!

[@TheThora17]

Great analogy and good move! From AB to BC👍 I went the wrong way… from AB to SK lol 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@leahsieler1114]

Bc wooo​@@TheThora17

[@TheThora17]

@@leahsieler1114 lol

[@crussell216]

My two favourite channels collaborating! Gentlemen, this was awesome. Salutations.

[@zell6108]

Thank the universe for this life saving channel.❤

[@AfterSkool]

@@zell6108 glad to be of service 🙏

[@M_JonayedK]

Two of my favourite channel collaborating.

[@anchordivine2987]

Trusting the flow … is how you just found me 😂. Thank you perfect

[@i.p.knightley6970]

'I am nothing. Take away nothing and I am' - Me (or not me)

[@signifidelica2819]

Alan Watts' autobiography, In My Own Way, is, imo, his best, most enjoyable book.

[@user-nx2qz5jo5g]

Interesting thank u

[@jianjiagettinger5589]

Wow, this video is so well research and illustrated. Thank you for putting so much effort into sharing your wisdom in a concise and beautiful video.

[@craig6753]

I’m hesitant to post this, but what the hell, here goes nothing 😊. I’ll try and keep it short! I have a friend who spent 10 years in a monastery in India, meditating 10 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, for the entire 10 years. One day as he was sitting down to meditate, he experienced enlightenment. After he left the monastery, he traveled around the world for two years looking for people that were in the same state of consciousness. He only found four or five, but they all basically said the same thing. I’ll paraphrase what he told me here: There is no separate ‘you’. What appears to be a separate individual is simply what he called the ‘I’ thought, which is really what an ego is. It’s the thought/feeling that there is an individual ‘you’ deciding and choosing ways of being. According to him, there is not. Free will is an illusion. You can’t control all of your thoughts and actions, because there is no controller. This is what Lao Tzu really meant, and this is why it’s been so hard to understand his teachings for thousands of years. It’s all just happening. Buddha was very clear about this though. He clearly stated “deeds are being done, but no doer is to be found.” Jesus said ‘I and the Father are one.’ And so are ‘you’, one with God/the Dao/Brahma…. Or whatever you choose to call it. It is self-governing, and therefore moving every cell in your body and every planet in the universe, and everything in between. It is perfectly balanced, always. My friend told me what happened to him, and the enlightened people he met, was that thought just stopped completely, and they saw the world for what it really is: One eternal now, self-governing, perfectly balanced…everything is God, including you who are reading this. He went on to say there is nothing to get enlightened about, except to understand that you already are . Ultimately, he said ‘thought is the real devil.’ No thought, no you….so there is peace. I recently asked him ‘if this is the truth, and it has been taught clearly many times, why is it that so few people know about this? He told me the human mind, especially the ego, cannot accept the fact that it doesn’t actually exist, so people have built up entire religions around misunderstandings of these teachings, and here we are. I understand this sounds crazy to most of you reading this. If 10,000 people read this comment maybe one or two of you will actually accept what it’s saying, or possibly already know this. It takes a tremendous amount of study in most cases, or as my friend said, most people try really hard for a really long time, and when they eventually give up, that’s when they understand. Or you might want to try taking a bunch of psychedelics and crossing your fingers.😂 Or listen to Alan Watts talk entitled ‘you are God’ repeatedly. He says this all most eloquently! So relax, your consciousness is forever 😊. Everything else is in a constant state of change, including your body, thoughts, and feelings. There is no doer, and the Dao is running everything. There is one eternal present moment, in a perfect state of balance. If you are fortunate enough that your mind really quiets down,you will understand this for yourself. 😊

[@macaroon147]

Fully living this way takes mountains of trust when you are in the thick of it

[@serendipity_coin]

You could see it has having trust, but it's the same thing as lacking fear. There's not something you have to do, there's just something you have to not do.

[@macaroon147]

@serendipity_coin exactly. In the end there's many ways to describe it but in the end we're talking of the same thing

[@hawed19]

This channel has been so amazing to me as a dyslexic audio visual learner. Thank you this is beautiful ❤❤❤❤

[@javierh8531]

That was so beautiful, i needed this. 😢 Thank you so much.

[@o_breezy5274]

ok it was weird when i pulled out my tao te ching book to read for later before you even posted this video..now you show the Flow state book that i literally downloaded because a friend recommended it lmaooo! I am supposed to be here, I appreciate you!

[@ellie698]

Always good to be reminded of this! 🙏🏻❤️😊

[@stevenfoster1569]

I've been watching Einzle and Skool for years separately, so imagine my surprise at seeing this collaboration. Makes one think they are on to something 😅❤ Keep up the good work every one

[@merianad]

Amazing synthesis and visual representation of the priceless and timeless teachings! Thank you so much! giving a gift like that to humanity''s collective mind makes you ( guys) a gift to this world:)

[@lunkerjunkie]

"those who know do not speak, those who speak do not know" -tao te ching #56

[@divergentthg7925]

So does this mean you do not know😂

[@kalrandom7387]

Thank you I needed this.

[@LostWaxProcess]

This video is beautiful in every way. Thank you.

[@thephoenixsystem6765]

My word, so many beautiful drawings. That alone is enough to stun.

[@UT00BE]

We know it's a great week when After School drops

[@brandont4693]

I'm already a master of this at work

[@dingo1666]

Now I know that someone I never knew needs me to know that they know. Why did you need to share this? Regardless, here is a medal 🏅

[@monasmith6892]

Beautiful, I love it!

[@analicearmbruster6441]

the art here is beautiful! thank you for such a touching video

[@Bbyluvusa]

I am now returning to these concepts after a period of forcing, trying, feeling my body literally get stiff as a result of trying to control. My main takeaway is go from trying at life to simply experiencing it. Just receive and experience each day and decision as it comes. And be sincere and honest in your experiencing without pretense.

[@alisalehi773]

Beautifully said and explained, thanks! ❤

[@SMMore-bf4yi]

Love Lao Tzu … the Doa stories … yrs of the Doa group… the more you try the more you cry, seems so …the way of it

[@matthewpiper6526]

Uber Fantastic! Very, very artistically done! A brilliant work in both artistic expression and reflective content.

[@jeromtablet]

"end quote" Are you thinking what i'm thinking? lmao

[@mikes5764]

"end quote" has taken me out of the flow of watching this video

[@user-qi9mq8nq3g]

Einzelgänger showed me the Tao Te Ching and that took me to Alan Watts which brought me to After Skool. Full circle. This was beautiful and a great way to bring visuals to this insight.

[@oliviariv]

This video helped me realize that trust = the dissolution of the ego.

[@pkz420]

I've been trying to not try. But no matter how hard I try, I fail.

[@marker113]

Failure is the foundation of success and the means by which it's achieved -tao

[@nick1427]

i think its like afraid of being afraid, its a loop. Trying not to try is a try in itself so i guess you do things without any expectations on the outcome

[@garrghhh]

It's like a perspective, or something ... If you believe it, down deep, it happens ... it flows out of you / in you ... but, if you have to consciously think about it, you're still not believing or trusting in it or whatever. You're still, perhaps, arguing with yourself over the idea. I always loved the notion of "wu wei" (无为 or 無為 etc.): "effortless doing." _That_ 'rendering' of the idea, in connection with Winnie the Pooh I think (I believe that's where the idea first really anchored inside my sometimes thick brain-case), had a sort of "feel" to it I could approach. Connected with ideas of mindfulness, the "seven pillars of mindfulness" explication that was really my practical intro to much of this & the idea of meditation, etc. Perhaps that might be helpful? But, it may not be so much. So much depends on something like "where you're coming from" and what ideas and experiences and all of that you have had / gotten some sort of hold on ... Ideas and such that are mostly quite antithetical or opposite or etc. to all of the taught and conditioned etc. ideas of most of modern "Western" every day life ... blah blah blah. Anyway, fear not. As Dr. Rumack observed: "... good luck. We're all counting on you." So, ya know, just let the wise words of the great sage Leslie Nie... I mean, Dr. Rumack marinate your soul, and you'll find _your _*_way._* 💐

[@TreoHD]

stop caring about failure

[@hoykoya3382]

Trying not to try is still trying. There lies the problem my friend. 😎

[@ferdinandmelchor4242]

Ive been fofllowing @Einzelgänger for years now really glad to watch this one. thank you afterskool!

[@Davlavi]

Very informative thanks.

[@pascalbaryamo4568]

Thank you for mentioning Csikszentmihaly! I was always looking for how the flow state idea entered the modern west, read a lot of mystics plus adorno and nishida and their pupils, but couldn't find anything related to psychology or neuroscience on that topic!

[@_Vissal_]

Awesome to see a collaboration of these two excellent channels!!

[@celinajanssen7499]

This could actually make people respond in a way that seems effortlessly right. Don’t do nothing, but do what feels right at the moment. This leads to more compassionate and natural actions and responses according to what situation you see yourself in. Wow.

[@Itsjenny90]

I Love both channels!! The merging video is awesome!!

[@ericmancuso5328]

Seeing Einzelganger on this channel made my day. Truly amazing ❤ his content is beautiful

[@DINGOMUFFIN]

I want to opt out of technology...email...cell phone...all of it, just to live a simple life for what is left of it.

[@badger8925]

My exact thoughts at the moment

[@MJA5]

people still use e-mail ? 😅

[@mgiebus1869]

After you're done leaving KZbin comments?

[@Huey_Freeman357]

You can if that's what you really want Dingo.

[@DINGOMUFFIN]

@mgiebus1869 YT (and the comments section) will be the very last thing I opt-out of...so, yes to your question.

[@rababkhursheed]

What beautiful illustrations by After Skool. Im speechless.

[@melissajensen4901]

Perfect Timing. Thank You, AS

[@anekhavictoire-peverill9104]

Thank you I needed to hear this… i often feel like I have to try hard, even when I know it won’t make a difference, but because I feel ashamed or judged for not trying.

[@mirelgoi7855]

After reading Marshall Summers’ work over and over again it is fascinating to watch this video uniting the golden pieces of wisdom throughout the human history - in the end there is one phenomenon, the one truth.

[@waxedhands4199]

YES! Einzelganger!!!!!!!

[@intheflowapp]

Love this and am trying to live my life more in this way. The more I trust and let go, the more it seems to work. The animation on this is beautiful and inspiring too, thanks!

[@InsertPhilosophyHere]

It's easy to get this wrong, but you are wrong. The Dao and Lao Tzu, does not say to not "try" it says to not "effort," and this is a subtle but significant difference. The best translations of the concept is "efforting without effort," meaning to try without over exertion. Today, some call this "flow" when your actions are smooth and effortless. But one is still trying.

[@FlyinDogRecords]

He does speak of the softness while doing.

[@InsertPhilosophyHere]

@@FlyinDogRecords They do, but the put that central issue to the sideline and focus instead on a misinterpretation.

[@Nick-gq2iy]

Oh, thanks. I did not know this. Now, it’s perfectly clear. 🙏🏼

[@benjaminford1863]

"Well kids, you tried and failed miserably, the moral of the story? Dont ever try. " Homer

[@InsertPhilosophyHere]

@@soadman13 I'm saying it because it's true. If you have a counter-argument, let's hear it.

[@bennyskim]

A good teacher once told me "it's amazing what happens when you actually try". That advice stayed with me and there's no better feeling than the success that follows initiative and trial. I like Lao Tzu's message too, but ultimately I disagree. I wouldn't have the career I have nor most of my life's accomplishments without a lot of trying, 2nd attempts, 3rd attempts, forcing, asking, proving, pushing - it's called making things happen. "Not trying" is the default position - worse, most people actually create the illusion that they're working hard but are actually "not trying", getting the worst of both worlds.

[@yungkingdrew]

non-action is not necessarily not trying, though I can kind of see how he made it seem like that. It’s more like doing without the burden of worry, you still try but you release any anxiety, stress, or need for control and simply put your trust in the universe.

[@eddiegrant58]

Maybe in trying, you were simply following your "natural course" ie. "the dao".

[@emergencyfood7660]

Tao didn't preach not doing anything, it's doing things effortlessly Sure you may have achieved stuff you couldn't have without effortlessness but it's all materialistic

[@jeffhackett6901]

"Not trying" can be misconstrued, it's more about being desireless - or pure motives.

[@TheThora17]

Not trying TOO HARD

[@thomasschon]

I found this approach very interesting, and it explains some abilities that I haven't been able to understand before. In board meetings or during both hostile and friendly negotiations, I have somehow always managed to come out on top. I leave a greater impression of establishing a more trustworthy truth by spontaneously reacting in a proactive and constructive manner, rather than directly trying to oppose and expose an opponent's true narratives or agenda. I think the way it works is that I have never planned or rehearsed anything I intend to say. I am in a perfect state of flow without any form of inner dialogue, simply reacting in the moment as an observer to what is being said. I only speak or try to express an opinion when I truly have something to say, and this way, everything I say seems to have an impact and be decisive. All this would probably come down like a house of cards if I tried to force it.

[@aquariusdreaming]

Really great! Thank you for covering! Really enjoyable.

[@CharlieRogers50]

As someone who grew up in a protestant Christian household who is now non-religious, there are tenets of this that I agree with. But they lose me with the "Wu-Wei, effortless action" business. I agree that effective leaders only interject when absolutely necessary, however nothing can happen unless SOMEONE takes action. If a leader does nothing it will allow the world to shift and change in ways that may or more may not be good for them, their citizens, or the world at large. If they do not have an agenda and take a passive approach to life, they will be participants in the agenda of others, whether they are aware of it or not. To quote Edmund Burke (or John Stuart Mill, depending), "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Trying to impose good on the world often makes things worse, and I agree that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. However, (to paraphrase Ghandi) being the good you wish to see in the world is incredibly effective. Rather than imposing goodness on others we should embody it within ourselves. Those around you will see this in you, and it may inspire them to do the same. And honestly most goodness boils down to the golden rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

[@brianpead3692]

Thank you - a most interesting comment (with which I concur).

[@pateastwood]

I think one clarification to make is that wu wei is not really about doing nothing or complete inaction. Its about being so attuned to the Way that your desires are translated into reality without visible effort. Things that happen through wu wei seems to just happen naturally so its really more about effortless action than inaction. It is like Bruce Lee said "and when there is an opportunity I do not hit, it hit all by itself". And sometimes, inaction is the effortless thing to do because things get sorted out by themselves and any action on your part would worsen the situation. Thats also why the Tao Te Ching says "live in accordance with the nature of things"

[@TheThora17]

I partially agree..

[@han_abby1]

Effortless effort ⛈️ when the clouds are full they rain down ☯️

[@triciatallman4514]

I found the Tao Te Ching 25 years ago and it changed my life!

[@phrog1345]

The art in this video is so beautiful

[@francisb9863]

Yayy! Finally - long awaited Lao Tzu video ❤❤❤

[@AfterSkool]

It was long overdue.

[@MJA5]

Einzelgänger - thanks 🙏🏻!

[@kavitamins]

As a government worker, I've always beared this in mind: "Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You ruin it with too much poking."

[@user-qq2zr3xt6f]

No one worships Laozi in China! The emperor has a high desire and is governing the country with the opposite philosophy of Lao Tzu, which is so ironic

[@na1843]

Thank you (Einzelgänger) I recognize your voice, I missed you on UTube. Great to have you back. Many thanks♥️♥️♥️

[@jamesheimbuck7494]

Thank you for your wonderful videos and artwork.

[@felixmoyoedonmi]

You can continue to try until you see the futility of trying.

[@GilBarOn]

Thank you this was wonderfull🤗❤ The drawings are beautiful 🌺🌻

[@mikelabomusic7782]

Thank you. This was much-needed in a moment of intense confusion for me.

[@TennesseeJed]

Let go, or be dragged

[@YoutubeVideoViewerDEL]

Does this also mean, stop watching KZbin self help style videos?? 😊

[@lil-red2d264]

This is what I struggle with I learn and research so much that i don't do the actual shadow work and practicing mindfulness/going with the flow

[@YoutubeVideoViewerDEL]

@@lil-red2d264 to use a plant metaphor, plants need to both take in sunlight and nutrients but then also rest and incorporate these things into themselves. So, both are necessary. It's easy to have "information overload" without actually "becoming" the knowledge. "Always searching, never finding." We must often just be still as we've heard many times. 🙏

[@michaeloliver4823]

Everything about this video is absolutely beautiful.