Taoism's Aimlessness vs Western Goals and Success

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Please hit the thumbs up, subscribe, and comment. I'd appreciate that deeply. To get exclusive content and livestream replays become a member on Patreon www.patreon.com/jasongregory You can also support me on Paypal www.paypal.me/JasonGregoryAuthor I also have new merchandise available at teespring.com/stores/jason-gregory Your support helps the channel grow. Only love for all.

[@niallmcginnis6219]

The fact that the simple message of this video immediately lifts that Western cultural win or lose burden from my shoulders is in itself a message. Thank you.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you for watching, Niall. Have a great day.

[@johnc.6645]

Thru much of my life, I had numerous goals and felt compelled and driven to achieve. Actually I was pretty good with that, but I wasn't happy. Thats what put me on the path. I am much happier and more content since I gave up having goals. I owe this to my love of the Tao. Thank you Brother. Your talks always kindle a little awareness that help me stay on this wonderful path.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

That's great to hear brother. Yes, it is very common for people to be good at attaining goals but not being truly happy. Most unfortunately suppress happiness to continue their march forward. You, on the other hand brother, noticed the snake in the grass.

[@rickydp9948]

"The Natural Self" & "Allowing the universe to do its thing" to me says it all. Brilliant!!

[@traderkaz]

I’m exhausted and can’t do it anymore. This video was incredibly helpful. Thank you 🙏

[@ImJustAnOnion]

Always put yourself first and take some time to refresh and regroup. You are strong and powerful my friend and god and I love you more than words could ever say ❤

[@drevildruid]

Recently at a job interview I was asked "Where do you see yourself in five years?" I've always thought that an unusual question. Being an Autistic person I replied literally "The future is unknowable until the moment it happens and then it's the past. So to answer your question. I don't know." Suffice to say I didn't get the job.

[@IanMcFerran]

Sounds like you dodged a bullet. Well done for being true to yourself! 👏

[@cem521]

Thanks!

[@michaeldefeo3030]

I am not the Seer you are regarding The Tao, but I would also like to point out that Aimlessness, Effortless Living, and Fluidity are not excuses for lethargy. Balance will often require exertion of mind and body. That's why I Love Your Channel!

[@silverblaize]

I've been studying Vedanta (and some Buddhism) for a few years now. I feel as time goes by, I have lost interest in worldly goals and ambitions that I once pursued with a burning passion. Now I just do my daily work, and dedicate my free time to spiritual study and practice. My only concern here is that those people around me think I'm being lazy and unambitious. To them, they see someone who does the bare minimum, and shuts themselves off from the rest of the world. They might see me as lazy, boring, dull, etc. But in my point of view, I just see no point, nor have any desire in pursuing my old goals. I just do the work that is required, and focus on the spiritual life which is what truly matters to me. Am I being selfish? Am I setting a bad example to those around me? Should I pursue worldly goals even if I have zero interest in them, merely to gain the approval of my peers? It's fine to not care what others think of me, but at the same time I don't see it as a good idea to completely shut them off and do my own thing. It feels like I'm excluding them and not embracing the WHOLE, if that makes sense...

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

What a thoughtful comment Luis. No, you're not being selfish, but rather other people can be selfish when they want you to act and behave in what they believe is appropriate according to their conditioning. There is no one "right" way to live life, that is an illusion of those who are busy chasing their own tail. If you've found contentment on the spiritual path then we should all be very happy that another human does not suffer in this life.

[@dani323]

@Luis I highly recommend Mooji (self, ego, awareness). Dr. Myles Monroe (leadership) to name a few. And many others. I will tell you very simple: it’s good to be selective. We cannot accept anyone into our circle. The reason being not every one has the qualifications to be part of the crew part of the ship 🛳 (I love pirates of the Caribbean 😂) those you are ‘excluding’ it’s okay. Keep being selective. That, is setting boundaries. This is like a fence around to protect the spiritual being you are working on. When a baby is born, parents will protect him most. When a seed is planted, it goes underground and watered until it germinates. Spiritual journeys are traveled alone. We cannot take companionship. Congratulations 🎉🎈 please continue on your spiritual path. #Research never stop growing. Blessings

[@josearteaga8877]

There is nothing to be accepted or not accepted, there is nothing to be attached with , no reaction is what we need to situation is the solution and then you will understand the rest of people. If you agree or not will be up to you

[@vasilisp6981]

 The point of spiritual practice is to exhaust the seeker. [ Adyashanti ] Same for goals.

[@wethepeople5921]

I love your warm kind energy. So glad I found your channel

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

I'm so glad you found it my friend. Nice to meet you.

[@scarbie32]

Thanks

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you for your kind support, my friend. I appreciate it a lot.

[@scarbie32]

You're most welcome. It was just what I needed to hear✌️

[@garysnider3000]

Being in the present with balance in body, mind and spirit. Excellent teaching.

[@nowanobady]

This simply makes so much sense from a spiritual perspective that nothing but the Self exists. Thank you.

[@nowanobady]

4:34 amazing how desiring liberation is a paradox because we already are, just need some awakening or remembering of our true nature which comes from knowledge 🙏

[@nowanobady]

5:29 isn't it amazing how these ancient wisdom from Taoism, Vedanta and Buddhism are telling us the same thing but in a different way or different lens but fundamentally same.

[@nowanobady]

6:33 that's beautiful! It's like seeking validation from the illusion.

[@danielstewart2974]

Letting go of our ego/sense of persona allows us to come back in contact with the Dao, Nirguna Brahman, or Shunyata by remaining still and abiding more in the Yin aspect of ourselves. Then the goals we are striving for has vanished because the truth is within ourselves

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Well said Daniel. Love it brother.

[@prestonseymour1387]

Great video!! I find myself dealing with the hard aspects of life or a path to liberation (mostly from friction from people who don’t fully understand the truth in these traditions) but my recent has been family always asking what’s my goals and where do I see myself. But I never have an answer for them, or at least one that they will accept. My answers seem follow along the idea that my focus goes to what’s in front of me right here and now. I have an idea of somewhere I’d like to be but it’s never fixed. They don’t like that answer very much haha.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you, Preston. Yes, it is always hard for those who don't understand Eastern spirituality to see life from where we sit. But you are on the path and that is a great things in itself. You don't have to impress anyone my friend, you belong.

[@prestonseymour1387]

Thank you. It really means a lot. And I’m finding more and more that I do belong within and around the world around me

[@michaeldefeo3030]

@@prestonseymour1387 You will know your path if you use your senses and intuition. It will come if you can sense it. The static...it's just wasted energy my dear. Let them abide there if that is where they choose to be. Your journey is your own. Their journey is theirs's. If you have children, their journey is also their own: not a second chance. Now consider the opposite side and you are well on your way to understanding The Tao. However, never expect you will ever hold it in any way. That is the errand of a fool.

[@prestonseymour1387]

@@michaeldefeo3030 thank you Michael I can understand the other side, in that they have lived their whole life with the idea that we should have a solid idea and big goals to work for. So hearing me tell them I have an idea with no goals I can see how that’s concerning and scary for them. But I don’t put my energy towards understanding the Tao I know when the time is right I’ll understand it the least I ever have and in that moment I’ll understand it more then ever. Thank you for your reply Michael please feel free to reply to more of my comments in the future 🙏

[@stevetindel7130]

Thank You so MuCh Jason for this amazing video on such beautiful truth!!! Such an important topic of purpose and meaning in life... Such a liberation from what I have been raised with in America and as a Christian... Wish I would have learned the way of the Tao when I was young , but with that being said , I have always sensed and felt it in my heart and soul...

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you for your wonderful comment, Steve. I feel we all do sense it when we're young, that is until socialization rubs it out of us. but here you are, and that makes me extremely happy.

[@krzystofsibilla3516]

Let go ,surrender to here and now , you are such a wise man ,most important service to humanity ,thank you much.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you for your wonderful comment and humility. Best to you my friend.

[@Jah_Kobi]

This and many other concepts are what have drawn me towards the Taoist consciousness. I enjoy much of the innumerable aspects of what it means to live, but there isn't any one thing that I am die hard passionate for and I have felt much anxiety for most of my life because I feel like there is something wrong with me because of that. I have learned that duality is an illusion and that everything is exactly what, who, when, where it is supposed to be, but the current world teaches the opposite of that and it hurts when you don't know that ITS OKAY TO JUST BE. Thank you for this 🙏🏽

[@jackwolf3200]

Hey Jason. Great video man. Thanks. Like others here, I felt a deep sense of relief upon seeing this video. All my life I've been on much more of a spiritual and also academic road. Money and material things have never overly interested me and I have received criticism for this over much of my 60 years on the Earth. Good to know that this kind of thing has been addressed by the ancient traditions.

[@shaughnessykelly5175]

Very well said/explained!! Thank you for sharing these ideas because I may still be searching for a definition that resonates!

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Glad it was helpful my friend.

[@dalesco4205]

This advice reminds me so much of a friend I had, spiritual enlightenment was such a powerful goal to him although he believed he practiced the art of not having a goal. He even used the I Ching to predict his future, which I found rather surprising. Although what was even more surprising was that every year he would predict that his enlightenment would come from meeting a girl who would introduce him to a group of enlightened people, of which he would become a member. Year after year he was wrong but insisted that the next time around would be the right one. I even remember him once predicting after doing a I Ching reading that his neighbour's dog, which they had lost, would never come back but instead be found by other people and lead a happy life with them. Nevertheless, the dog was found the next day... His mistakes made him bitter and he grew an internal anger which he started to slowly but surely take out on me. We no longer are friends but in a sense, even though it was a sad experience, it's also been enriching for me since he unknowingly showed me many things I should avoid being and doing.

[@chastitylewis3999]

"Ambition is but a dream within a dream" -Shakespear

[@EmmaLu1310]

Beautiful Jason! As always, appreciate the video :) happy days.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you my friend. Great to hear from you.

[@wagwan777]

Great video! I was making my head already crazy with goals, purpose, work, etc.. etc.. to feel the I'm and to feel like I'm something.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you for sharing my friend. Best to you.

[@HeatherRuffniteowl]

Wonderful job, Jason. Such a great question. Appreciate all your work my friend. Much love

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you, Heather. Only love for you my friend.

[@magnamia]

Superbly stated, Jason! Thank you! Just wondering if having a general sense of direction in life is different (and more natural) than a goal or a purpose. To say, 'I think I would like to explore writing' as opposed to "I want to be a best-selliing author ". A direction as not so much a rigid will as a flexible acknowledgment of what the heart speaks...

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Well said my friend. Direction is different to goals because your direction is often determined by your own individual li (organic pattern). But the difference is you enjoy walking in that direction without thinking about a destination or making a goal out of destination. Just walk freely in the direction you are moving and be free from any outcome.

[@durere]

Very nice video, glad I found it. What I would say, as a goalless guy, is that having a goal facilitates your going out in the world, in pursuit of it. And of course, what we are really after is that going out in the world itself. Do as I say, not as I do.

[@aatifnaeem4565]

Awesome vid Jason 😊. A timely reminder of letting go and enjoying the flow of our life 😇.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Absolutely my friend. Great to hear from you Aatif. I always smile when I see your comments.

[@aatifnaeem4565]

@@JasonGregoryAuthor 😊🙏

[@percubit10]

Having goals are important to me.

[@hydropie]

love this video Jason. So lately I've been trying to apply this idea of not chasing after goals and purpose and spinning my wheels just for the sake of it. However I personally think a natural thing that happens when following this path is that you encounter significant levels of boredom. That may not necessarily be the case for everyone but thats what happened with me. I personally began to realize that the entire time, i've been chasing after a goal mostly for the sake of keeping myself busy and distracted as the chasing of goals seem to give me a dopamine and stimulation release that I became addicted to. So my question is, how does the taoist or eastern sage cope with boredom? Would love to hear back, Michael K.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you for you wonderful comment, Michael. Well said my friend. As for boredom, they embrace it and try not to avoid the sensation of boredom. Boredom itself is in part a feeling we experience when we turn the tap of busyness and constant experiencing off. The more you practice simplicity by doing less, the more boredom begins to dissolve.

[@jackalx2154]

Most people construct their purpose and goals from a place of resistance from where they are. Which is why they end up with the resistance in the end. The Tao is ultimately about being in a state of complete non-resistance and living from that point of reception. If you do that your purpose and goals will be spontaneous and organically flowing. Without the need to prove yourself and make yourself feel worthy all the time.

[@mtelectrical8068]

Brilliant video on accepting what is.. also a lot of striving for goals etc plays out as a video (usually the trailers) in the mind so thus becomes an illusion. Keep up the great work 👌

[@beloastropena7236]

Hey Jason I'm so grateful for your videos, would you perhaps enlighten me on how to handle fear of the public in a presentation or stage when I'm singing. Thanks!

[@brushstroke3733]

Great thumbnail - hooked me right in to enjoy hearing your take on this beautiful attitude.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Glad you enjoyed it my friend.

[@michaelneedham5607]

My understanding is that the "no goal" vibration comes after we have lived enough lives of goals and striving to satisfy our desires for those experiences. A lifetime of no goals serves as a transition to a higher consciousness. Until we have the 3d experience in full, we won't resonate with the no goal consciousness. Do you agree?

[@XIIIthSpirit]

God became a Man, so that he could become a God again.

[@leemansuleiman5907]

Not really my experience of reading the Toa te Ching was one of remembering who I've always been, it may not be the same for everyone but I was naturally a "no goals" person, I just live in reality but overtime I learned and adopted this mindset of goal setting.

[@michaelneedham5607]

Choosing to incarnate implies a goal on the part of the higher self. In my opinion.

[@rusty_rockets]

Thank you, Jason.👍

[@justinlight3899]

I LOVE goals. Like I getting a lot of pleasure about progressing forward. So as a person who likes to do new things, build, and grow. Do I still keep doing that? But don’t force it, find the natural flow to it? And also realize the contentment in the journey between.

[@Camila-im9ws]

Quality and clear. Thank you!

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you dearly Camila.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*IM AN AUTHOR8 I had a book ready to publish last September - but I only do things when they feel right, and it just did not seem to be the right time... Time went on, and time went on, and t I m e w e n t o n... And then yesterday I realised it did not work as one book. It needed to be published as three short books. Happy now.

[@dani323]

@Pic so glad you got the message.. that’s okay to wait. The saying: ‘good things come to those who wait.’ It’s all about timing. For this, we need to be in-tune with ourselves/ universe/ God , that we can know the timing. Congratulations 🎈🎉

[@tobinharris8107]

"The Path Is The Goal"

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Well said C.

[@davereckoning9530]

Also: “Wanderer the road is your footsteps, nothing else; you lay down a path in walking” - Antonio Machado Your footstep is your path, is your goal. Standing or stepping we are all, always, in a state of grace.

[@katherinadams7173]

that's a good way of putting it .."the path is our goal" .that's perfectly said..thank you

[@tarikcamacho]

Thank you very much Jason.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you Carlos.

[@leemansuleiman5907]

Immediately subscribed. Keep going man

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Welcome aboard my friend. I'm so glad you enjoyed.

[@mirriek.731]

Thank you. 🙏

[@Ozoal]

Awesome video. Thank you Jason! As inspiring as ever :-)

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

You're the best Thierry. Great to hear from you my friend.

[@SorayasFierceCookingShow]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@sally-annllewellynartist9362]

Amazing answer. Thank you 😊

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you my friend.

[@alfredhitchcock45]

Jordan Peterson said, we fundamentally need purpose or goal in life. It’s embedded in our DNA’s. So when you remove it, it seems like your life has lost its meaning and you will fall into Nihilism. The case you say, in Taoism, you are just going with the “Dao” or the flow. The journey itself is the destination. That's a good idea to study. As an Existentialist, that rings a bell for me. I want to explore it further!

[@notadoctora7956]

Jordan Peterson suffers from depression. I suppose he does need to learn how to let go

[@sabrina1677]

Needed this 🙏🏼

[@usarmyveteran177]

Important question to ask yourself when making plans/goals is how your ego benefits from it or not. Preferably the answer should be not. Also ask yourself “am I present”, meaning are you making this goal for the “future” with being in the here and now? Otherwise once you get there, you won’t enjoy it or it won’t even happen. Love in your plans means alot as well. As the Grateful Dead stated it, “Without love in the dream it’ll never come true.”

[@ambersgrace1]

I’ve been interested in Taoism but have never really taken the next step. I wouldn’t say I am a goal oriented person and somewhat take life as it comes. What I find difficult is creating good habits and routines. How are habits, rituals, routines different than goals? Also, where should I start to learn more about Taoism? How can I stop bad habits without making it a goal to stop? Will bad habits just fade away by following “The Way”?

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you for your wonderful comment, Cassandra. Creating good habits and routines are more to do with a reorientation back to our innate nature, so they can't be determined by socialization. Those natural habits and routines we follow are about being healthy and sane, not with a goal in mind but instead a way of return to the simple life. It is a larger discussion and can't be explained in the comments section. What I will say to you is if you want to learn about Taoism then you are in the right place. I have plenty of videos on traditional Taoism. You might want to start with the 81 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching series I do with my wife. Here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaPCn5WjfceKj80

[@TheEcono]

" Do you " 💖☯️🙏

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

You said it Scott!

[@alloyfactory]

Great video!

[@jamescarroll2197]

Goal & purpose? I'm learning to let those things go.

[@kathyprior4281]

Jason, which one of your books is your favorite/most recommended?

[@soggyrice02]

You are what you seek. Stop seeking and just be - it’s like running to stand still.

[@adrianovidiucolceriu2263]

great advice

[@verstrahlt1907]

very nice explained

[@apassagebeyond108]

How does Dharma fit into this? Does it work like Te? Like the flow of the river?

[@beloastropena7236]

Thank you so much Jason, you give me a lot of ah ha moments.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

I'm so happy you found my channel, Beloastro.

[@usarmyveteran177]

“The whole secret of life, everything that you can possibly desire, is yours at this moment, and if you cannot lay hold on it now, you'll never be able to.” ~ Alan Watts

[@TheDimpz1]

It makes sense, but I am having trouble to accept. What if I want to better my life? Shouldn't I strive for more?

[@ankitmittal3045]

Action (within morality) is always greater than inaction..greater than that is action without attaching yourself with the outcome..and greatest is action done for others because you dont see others different from yourself 🙏

[@clemthai]

Would love to have Jason view on that

[@MorallBill]

Loved it

[@batesarch]

Thank you Jason. 🙏

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you my friend.

[@CaptainSanchez]

Wonderful! Love these valuable messages. Thx Jason~

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you brother. Great to see your comments more often these days.

[@CaptainSanchez]

@@JasonGregoryAuthor Yeah thank you! I was wondering what you could say about how a Taoist spends their day. I find myself trying to control the day and the events in the day. Was wondering how a Taoist handles that. Do they just go where the wind takes them or do they have a desire to be somewhere at a certain time. Thanks a lot Jason.

[@psmaulehlien]

Excellent explanations.

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Thank you my friend.

[@trukxelf]

I’m constantly working on my goal to have NO goals but I keep getting distracted by small yet critical achievements.

[@olsoneric1]

Well, I didn't want to go to school when I was young. It didn't seem like "me". If given the choice I certainly would not have attended. However, my parents knew that I needed a trade and a school degree was a necessary goal. Does this example portray a different type of "goal" than those portrayed in this video? Thank you.

[@jacobia7093]

‘I searched for God among the Christians and on the Cross and therein I found Him not. I went into the ancient temples of idolatry; no trace of Him was there. I entered the mountain cave of Hira and then went as far as Qandhar but God I found not. With set purpose I fared to the summit of Mount Caucasus and found there only 'anqa's habitation. Then I directed my search to the Kaaba, the resort of old and young; God was not there even. Turning to philosophy I inquired about him from ibn Sina but found Him not within his range. I fared then to the scene of the Prophet's experience of a great divine manifestation only a "two bow-lengths' distance from him" but God was not there even in that exalted court. Finally, I looked into my own heart and there I saw Him; He was nowhere else.’ - Mawlana Jalal-al-Din Rumi 🤗

[@michaeldefeo3030]

Wow! That's beautiful. Just checked the author. A Sufi and a Persian. Oh, I am more interested now! LOL

[@dani323]

@@michaeldefeo3030 please, I’m wondering if your comment meant/means more interested now -is it because .. what if author were a Christian? A Christian author, sounds like, would not have the same credibility, because, of course he would say that? 🤔I’m only curious to know more details. I enjoy reading your comments to others. Best regards

[@michaeldefeo3030]

@@dani323 I appreciate your inquisitiveness and reaching out. Thank you for your compliments. I am interested solely because the tone and content is nothing a classical Christian writer would have produced. It was clearly not a Christian work culturally. I had to investigate the teacher to learn that he was Sufi and Persian. That for me, inclines me to believe there is ancient knowledge and wisdom available to me that I had not considered. I am deep into Eastern Asian thought. I look forward to further conversation if you also desire. However, do not think I can easily be swayed. Ps & Qs. That's what will hurt us.

[@dani323]

@@michaeldefeo3030 Agree. And that’s in line with what I thought. Thank you so much for your reply. But I don’t understand : please what do you mean by “do not think I can easily be swayed… all 3 last lines. what’s abbreviation Ps Qs . I look forward to reading from you. Best regards.

[@michaeldefeo3030]

@@dani323 "Blessed Be the LORD! Glory to GOD! Has HE 'Called' You yet? Listen! To Follow HIS Calling! I pray he opens the eyes and the ears of our understanding.🙏💜☮️" Obviously a Christian. Not sure I actually have the energy to bang my head on the wall. I'd rather engage in useful pursuits.

[@kingpineda5135]

Hi there Jason!! I'm starting to love daoism but I'm trying to stop myself at the same time because I subscribed to the saying that it is important to maintain a healthy dose of doubt all the time. I can't stop myself from thinking that daoism is just another philosophy/ideology/mental framework which can be helpful but can also be some kind of obstruction into understanding reality or life better. Do you have a video in which you explain why daoism is different from other philosophies/ideologies/religion etc? Edit: buddism says that attachments is at the root of our problems/suffering. So does that mean that loving/liking daoism can be a bad thing?

[@michaelricketson1365]

I think Alan Watts would say that it is okay to do something (partake in Taoism) as long as you realize that you are doing it. That way you stay outside of it yet, to some degree, and don’t become defined by it.

[@chmd22]

You can love/like without attachment. And conversely, you can hate/dislike with profound attachment. They're completely different things. To your greater point, though, Taoism itself stipulates that the Tao that can be spoken is not the true Tao. Right off the bat there is the realization that any kind of spelling out of things introduces dualism, and so one has to be aware of that inescapable limitation when they read or teach. Ultimately the truth is yours to discover.

[@mysmartieteevee3036]

Goals are a useful tool, to transform your current consciousness into the person who is capable of achieving the said goal. However, it is not solid in a material sense, just useful as a guide, a north star, that could allow us a certain direction of what an individual want to become......

[@miguelangelous]

You don’t need purpose, neither to have goals to validate your existence.

[@WinChun78]

You can use Taoism to find and fulfil your goals, by being in tune with the soul, being what you are meant to be, rather than being who you are not. Being in tune with that makes you truly successful and truly happy.

[@MikaelMahsudjan]

There is no you that has any goals, thre is only Tao :)

[@yaksauce]

“If you whittle yourself to fit expectations, you’ll carve yourself away.” Each of us is born wholly and complete (accordingly to Karma merits accumulated through lifetimes), that’s why we’re here in Pure Land. We are the “sperm winners” of a competition that occurred on a subtle level, that was fraught with risk and obstacles, but we penetrated the Golden Egg and were blessed with safe arrival to this Gaia that is besieged by Monkey Minded schemers and evildoers. We are already born Champions and no competition is more meaningful. This is Planet Money and wage slavery is a very real struggle (unless you won the Golden Ticket with being born into wealth). Ownership of relationships is very real, too. Just lay flat (as is trending in China) and enjoy your stay. Be free and radically self-sufficient. Use time in this realm wisely and search method for cessation from cyclic existence and liberate yourself by finding method(s) of transference to neighbouring Gaia(s) where no apes or monkeys exist! Your spirit transcends time/space, find out how! Welcome to Paradise!

[@kelebeksky]

Looooveeee thisssss

[@Joonas_badminton]

Thank you! 🙏

[@dyvel]

I heard "Lao Tzu and Drunk Tzu" and realize it was quite funny misshearing, but with a meaning :)

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Haha, it is Zhuangzi my friend. But I had a good laugh at Drunk Tzu. Well played.

[@stellagkika77]

Excellent! 🙏

[@nikkion2140]

Setting your own goals = putting on straight jacket to constrain you. People are confused between visions and goals/objectives.

[@clemthai]

Can you elaborate on the difference between visions and goals?

[@copyninja8756]

The universe wants me to have goals

[@jeffreylundin4716]

You let the Tao move you and own you, and you have all the power you couldn't get when you tried owning the power for yourself.

[@2WheelsForever]

I can only speak for myself. I do consider myself a Taoist yet I still think that a person withOUT plans, purpose,ambition is just a lazy sloth of an individual. We needn't have an all consuming insanely driven purpose or single minded obsessive drive but at the same time we don't need to be fluttering through Life as aimless as a leaf. To do so would be to just be a.......bum. Now I understand that in Asia many older people once they retire from professional life then they go pursue the life of Tao practice...it is unreasonable for a young person to do so..best kept for ones autumn years where ones aged and mature mindset is suitably bronzed with a patina of fuller understanding.

[@clemthai]

Kind of agree with that. I don't really have goals or motivation these days even though my life from is quite balenced. Somehow wondering if it would not be better to have some goals, especially in term of making money and learning skills. But then, who choose the goal? Where the goal is coming from?

[@2WheelsForever]

@@clemthai I agree... If for nothing else then at least to have some semblance of "direction" .. Great input. Thanks

[@ArkansasGamer]

Excellence!

[@einarlauritzen1602]

Finally a defence for us natrally lazy ppl.

[@brushstroke3733]

Naturally lazy people don't really exist. That is a comparative, relative description, and it is exaggerated by the relative overwork and over-exersion of so-called average people!

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Not a defence really. This is the way of nature (Taoism) far before the busyness of socialization.

[@stevenroberts5741]

Talking about success seeking mentality whilst repeatedly promoting his books through the video 🤔😏

[@DDelanoT]

So you're saying it's wrong to have a mindset of right and wrong?

[@obitoslight8013]

What are all the dimensions of intelligence and do you agree with the statement of, don’t mix up education with intellect. Meaning, top tier education doesn’t equate to a high intellect.

[@brushstroke3733]

Neither intellect nor education are needed for understanding. Intellect is often at the service of the illusory self. Perhaps I just don't understand exactly what you mean by these words though. Definitions are extremely important, otherwise we could be using the same words to mean different things and we won't come to any mutual understanding.

[@michaelricketson1365]

@@brushstroke3733 The concept of definitions is interesting. Sometimes I find that even after reading the same definition of a word, that two people can still disagree on its meaning. Using many words to describe one word can open up a wide range range of further interpretations.

[@mirrorinsideout]

It seems this obsession with success and future results has become predominant in China as well nowadays

[@OgdenM]

My issue with spiritualism is that it pretty much to me says, "Stop trying to do anything and just sit." And I mean, doing anything, including working. But sadly, living in a world where we have to pay rent and buy food; that doesn't work.

[@brushstroke3733]

Or does it? Perhaps you are believing in the illusion. Perhaps once you see it like Neo saw the Matrix, you don't fear going without. Have you ever heard Jesus's Sermon on the Mount? Do you know what he said about the need to work? In short, Jesus said forget it - have faith that you will receive what you need and you will. Have you experimented with the ideas of Law of Attraction with a true open scientific mind (meaning, you don't start with the assumption that the physical world is primary, but rather let the evidence speak for itself)?

[@brushstroke3733]

And also, authentic "spiritualism" doesn't instruct you to do nothing. That is a misinterpretation by the identifying mechanism that appears to create the illusory feeling of being a separate self with free will.

[@Bayo106]

thats just your horrible perception of it.

[@Bayo106]

there's a line in Tao te ching racing and hunting madden the mind I think that should help you understand. doing stuff is fine. chasing fame and fortune or attention WILL stress you out no matter what you think. just go with the flow a bit more and do your best to not force things. be more balanced instead of create more opportunities to fix things in your life (like eating too much then having to go to the gym in order to fix that) do less. it doesn't mean do nothing but don't do so much shit. its extremely unnatural

[@GJS-live]

@@Bayo106 Well said.

[@samuelcharles7642]

🔥🔥

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

Love it Samuel. Thank you.

[@oboobo5829]

I needed that, phew

[@JasonGregoryAuthor]

So glad my friend. Always a pleasure to see your comments.

[@Acquisition1913]

😎

[@domm1341]

I think everything is illusory.

[@Skiz676]

🍻

[@dallasstang2818]

To not have goals is a goal…

[@Bayo106]

yes. one goal vs the infinite goals that people engage in...which stress them out, age them and sometimes kill them

[@Wanderful1]

Do you. Not them.

[@Caitanyadasa108]

A comment on the banner behind you: "Tat tvam asi" is understood by Advaitins as you have it on the banner as "Thou art that." There is however another correct translation embraced by the bhakti schools which is, "Thou art thine" or "Thou art His." In that understanding although the atma is one with Brahman in substance (i.e., both are sat, cit, and ananda) the atma retains its individuality even in the liberated state.

[@mangalsingh2050]

No more effort to live..

[@agypsyrover]

Its good to pay off your mortgage if you can :)

[@wexwuthor1776]

Can't take it with you.