Effortless Living

Wu-Wei and the Spontaneous State of Natural Harmony

De: Jason Gregory, Damo Mitchell - introduction

Narrado por: Jason Gregory

A guide for achieving an enlightened mind through the art of non-doing

• Details meditation practices, focused on stillness of the mind, along with Patanjali’s yoga methods to maintain a consciousness referred to as “being in the zone”

• Builds on Taoist, Confucian, and Hindu principles along with scientific findings to support wu-wei--the art of non-doing, non-forcing--as a way of life

• Explains how wu-wei practitioners cultivate intelligent spontaneity and effortless action to allow the natural harmony of the cosmos to prevail

The practice of non-doing, non-forcing is an essential aspect of Taoism known as wu-wei. Attributed to the great sage Lao-tzu, the philosophy of wu-wei teaches you how to develop a natural state of consciousness not bound by thought or preconceived limitations. Experienced by the greatest artists, athletes, musicians, and writers, this heightened state of consciousness, referred to as “being in the zone,” is where intelligent spontaneity and effortless action flourish via a practice rooted in permitting the natural harmony of the cosmos to prevail.

Merging Taoist philosophy, Hindu principles, and Confucianism along with scientific findings, Jason Gregory outlines the practice of wu-wei as a vehicle to realize our innate freedom, revealing that when we release our ego and allow life to unfold as it will, we align ourselves more closely with our goals and cultivate skill and mastery along the way. Equating “being in the zone” with a stillness of the mind, Gregory shares meditation practices coupled with yoga exercises from Patanjali that allow you to approach life with a mastery of acceptance, releasing deluded beliefs of how to achieve success that make your mind “sticky” and poised for conflict. The author shows how practicing wu-wei paradoxically empowers you to accomplish all that you desire by having no intention to do so, as well as allowing you to become receptive to nature’s blueprint for expressing beauty.

Revealing wisdom utilized by renowned sages, artists, and athletes who have adapted “being in the zone” as a way of life, the author shows that wu-wei can yield a renewed sense of trust in many aspects of your daily life, making each day more effortless. As an avid wu-wei practitioner, he provides keen insight on how you, too, can experience the beauty of achieving an enlightened, effortless mind while reveling in the process of life’s unfolding.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Immersing yourself in the origins and underpinnings of this ancient way of thinking and being will definitely help usher you into the Intuition Age with its interconnected, holographic perception. This book is brimming over with gems and overall wisdom. It’s a comprehensive weaving of many threads that makes for a fascinating--and useful--read.”

“In the West, people say, ‘where there’s a will there’s a way,’ by imposing your will over nature. More often than not this backfires. In ancient China, the wise ones discovered that the best way is wu-wei, ‘doing nothing,’ and thereby getting everything done by letting nature take its course. In this book you’ll learn how that’s not-done.”

“In Effortless Living, Jason Gregory explains in clear and simple terms the Taoist concept of wu-wei and reintroduces a model of contemplation much needed in the world today. He describes how wu-wei (literally ‘not forcing’ or ‘allowing’) can facilitate communion with the Tao—the timeless flow from which everything else we perceive is but a reflection. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I learned so much from it. My humble thanks to Jason Gregory for facilitating my own understanding of the Tao and, in doing so, allowing me to apprehend the inner silence and to listen to its wordless wisdom.”

“Jason Gregory has tapped into a living stream of wisdom to bring us an antidote to our cultural numbness. By learning how to let things be, rather than interfere and intervene in an unnatural order of life, Gregory forces us to love the world again, by trusting it. This is essential and practical wisdom for a modern social world at its best.”

“Effortless Living is a timely book. In a time where absolutist and rigid views are proving to be outmoded if not dangerous, Jason Gregory uses his heart and critical thinking skills to lay bare the essential, irreducible teachings of Lao-tzu. He deconstructs the myths, formulaic thinking, and the business of ritual of Taoism as it is practiced today that obscure and often hinder our innate abilities to have a direct experience of that from which we are never separate.”

“In Effortless Living, Jason Gregory reminds us that a magic still dwells in our world despite the external forces, and psychological habits, that increasingly steer us toward cynicism. Gregory gives not only clear explanations of Taoism and reconciliations of it with Confucianism, but also guidelines for getting in touch with the Tao at the heart of all things. Furthermore, he makes clear why the root of world peace is the inner peace of the individual, which is why—socially and environmentally—this book is so deeply valuable. This is the best book on Taoism as a spiritual path since Alan Watts wrote Tao: The Watercourse Way nearly fifty years ago, and so I say, it’s about time.”

The Way to the Way

Although there is nothing that can be said about the Tao this discussion of Wu-Wei may serve as a guide.

Excellent, all the way around

This is the book I keep coming back to to listen to when I am going out into the world and need to re-anchor myself. “Fasting, the Mind” is another “go to“ books of his.

I love the author reading the book himself. I wish he would record the audio for his other books as well.

One of the most important books you could spend your time on

This is a beautiful exploration of Taoism and Wu-Wei, giving us valuable insights on how to integrate this knowledge into our modern minds.

Great book

Great narration, very captivating, love everything about it. I also learned great stuff. Thanks for sharing!

The principles in this book work like magic..

Last week I was in the midst of a super busy day, had a project with deadlines close etc and was under stress. I was waiting for a deliverable from someone, and was getting impatient. I turned to listening to this audio book in my car and soon after I felt a huge burden lift off from my shoulders and I finally understood what it felt like to truly "let go and surrender". Soon after that things started flowing and everything was working out by themselves without me "doing" anything. That's only one example. Wu Wei really is magic, and this book holds the key to unlocking it. Thank you for this!

Best read on Taoism since ...

Jason Gregory's book has to be among the best writing on Taoism since the Tao te Ching. As soon as I finished, I had to immediately start over again so I could stop and ruminate.. during my first reading I couldn't stop myself, continuing to the end of the book. I am a Taoist, and have read many versions of the Tao te Ching and found Effortless Living very satisfying. The author also has a documentary on Taoism that's out now. Also on YouTube, he has many great videos. Thank you Jason for this precious book of wisdom.

Masterpiece

One of the most important books of this century so much needed in today's culture dominated by greed and irrational strive for excess

Clear

I enjoy listening to this book over again and again. With this topic or non-topic the author reading his words describing and pointing so even ones like this one can understand better how to live life effortlessly, ask yourself right now, do you know how to let go? Let go of what? What’s your answer? And the ego diligently try’s to unravel it at once. If you want to learn how to let go of that, thinking mind self and make a run for it. Listen and practice, practice, practice to see. These teachings are core concepts of wisdom for the ages.

Not my favorite

Too intellectual. I couldn't relate. Terms may familiar to some. Most were not relatable to me.

This narrator keeps putting me to sleep.

I can't even judge the contents of the book properly because this narrator keeps putting me to sleep.
He's definitely not connecting to the text and I honestly don't know if he understands what he saying. I definitely don't know what he's saying as his cadence is the same pattern over and over.
Great book to fall asleep to but I can't get through it.