Alan Watts on the Philosophy of the Tao: Embracing the Natural Way

This episode of the Being in the Way podcast features a deep dive into the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism with Alan Watts. He explores the fundamental concepts of the Tao, the interplay of Yin and Yang, and the principle of Wu Wei, encouraging listeners to align with the natural flow of life.

Key Takeaways

• The Tao, the fundamental energy of the universe, cannot be defined or grasped by the intellect.
• Opposites like being and non-being, good and evil, are inseparable aspects of a single reality.
• Wu Wei, or "non-doing," means acting in harmony with nature, not against it.

Understanding the Tao: The Undefinable Basis of Everything

Alan Watts begins by introducing Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy that contrasts with Confucianism’s emphasis on order and interference. The core concept, the Tao, is described as the most basic energy of the universe, our true self. However, Watts stresses that the Tao, like trying to bite your own teeth or see your own eyes without a mirror, cannot be defined or objectified. Any attempt to label or categorize it falls short because it is the fundamental basis of all experience, much like the transparent lens of the eye is essential for seeing color but has no color itself.

He explains that many things we consider real, like time, calendars, and even our sense of self (the ego), are actually social institutions or conventions. These are useful tools for living together, but we often mistake them for ultimate reality, leading to confusion. Confucianism, for instance, focused heavily on social roles – the proper way to be a father, mother, or sibling. We, too, play roles based on our jobs and personalities, often being told who we are by others from a young age.

The Interplay of Opposites: Yin and Yang

The second key idea Watts discusses is the mutual arising of opposites, a concept central to Chinese thought. He uses the analogy of a growing plant to illustrate this. Just as you can’t have a front without a back, or long without short, or bees without flowers, these seemingly opposite forces are inseparable. They arise together and depend on each other. This applies to concepts like being and non-being, good and evil. We fear non-being, the emptiness or space that surrounds solid objects, because we associate reality with the solid and tangible. However, Watts argues that space and solidity are two facets of one reality, just as intervals are necessary to hear melody.

These inseparable opposites are represented by Yin and Yang. Yang signifies the sunny side of a mountain, representing the positive, bright, and active. Yin represents the shady side, signifying the negative, dark, and passive. This is often depicted in the familiar symbol of two interlocking comma shapes, each containing a dot of the opposite color, symbolizing that each contains the seed of the other. This concept is so fundamental that it even influenced binary arithmetic, the basis of modern computing, where zero (Yin) and one (Yang) can represent all numbers.

Wu Wei: The Art of Effortless Action

The third principle Watts introduces is Wu Wei, often translated as "non-doing" or, more accurately, "non-interference" or "effortless action." It means acting in accordance with the natural flow of things, rather than against it. He uses the example of sailing: it’s more intelligent to use the wind (sailing) than to row against it. If you’re caught in a strong current, you don’t swim directly against it; you swim with it and edge your way out.

This principle is also seen in martial arts like Judo, where one uses an opponent’s force to bring about their downfall, rather than meeting force with force. Similarly, a skilled artist works with the grain of the wood, a potter feels the clay, and a calligrapher lets the brush seem to move on its own. The idea is to align with the natural tendencies of things, allowing them to unfold organically. This contrasts with the Confucian emphasis on active interference and control. Taoism, instead, trusts the course of nature.

Embracing Change and Letting Go

Watts touches upon the Western fear of death and non-being, contrasting it with the Taoist acceptance. He suggests that death, like the "off" part of any vibration or the trough of a wave, is a necessary counterpart to life. Trying to cling to existence or avoid disintegration is like trying to hold onto a falling rock. Instead, accepting the natural process of change and disintegration, even embracing death as a significant event, can lead to a kind of liberation. By letting go of the struggle to maintain a fixed self, one can truly come alive.

He illustrates this with two Chinese stories: one about a farmer whose son tries to help corn grow by pulling up the shoots, only to kill them, and another about a farmer who loses a horse, which then returns with more, leading to a series of events that highlight the unpredictable and cyclical nature of fortune. The farmer, by not interfering and accepting the flow, understands that things go up and down, and that this constant change is life itself. The principle of Wu Wei is about flowing with this natural current, not resisting it, and recognizing that the apparent opposition between things like life and death, or good and bad, is ultimately a unified process.