The Valley Spirit
An Introduction to Taoism
In this seminar we explore some of the fundamental themes in the writings of Lao zi and Zhuang zi. The wisdom of these texts is deep and playful, paradoxical and practical. It is an invitation to an inner journey, a journey often described as a return: a return to the source, a return to the simplicity of ‘uncarved wood’, a return to the ’state of the newborn’. We shall meet the humour and challenge of this fluid wisdom that cannot be frozen into a solid doctrine and goes beyond a purely intellectual understanding.
The nameless Dao
Emptiness
The world’s mother
Simplicity
Measure
The water’s way
Non-doing
Complementarity
The man of Dao
Small and great understanding
My words are easy
The next lecture The Valley Spirit will be given at the London Jung Club on 16 July 2009. Time: 7:30pm. Place: Essex Church, 112 Palace Gardens Terrace, London W8 4RT. It is not necessary to book in advance. Admission payable at the door £8 (£6 concessions).