In the modern world, we need to carry on those Ancestors’ heritage, understand their limitations, and use both hard and soft science to solve problems structurally.
Following Nature: Zhuangzi believed that humans should strive to live by following nature (the Dao way.）This means letting go of artificial social constructs and societal pressures, and instead, embracing a natural spontaneity. Think of a tree growing freely, rather than being pruned into a specific shape. The Dao is the underlying principle of the universe, an unknowable and ever-changing force that governs all things. It's not a god or creator, but the natural order and flow of existence. He saw the natural tree" that provides shade as more valuable than the one chopped down for lumber. This speaks to finding worth outside of achievement or productivity.
Things are not always black and white; there are many shades in between: Zhuangzi challenged conventional ways of thinking that relied on rigid categories like good/bad, and large/small, (Rejection of Duality.) He argued that these distinctions are ultimately artificial and limit our understanding of the interconnectedness of everything.
Freedom and Acceptance: Zhuangzi promoted a carefree and accepting approach to life. He encouraged letting go of anxieties about success, and failure; which is seen as a natural part of the Dao's flow. When you don't have any compulsion, you are free, you don't worry whether it's positive or negative, you accept things, you don't judge, you don't worry about what others think, you don't get into a rat race, you are free to be self, convey authenticity, and grow as tall and strong you could.
In my opinion, Zhuangzi and associates advocate authenticity and freedom. They might lack sufficient scientific knowledge on how to promote equal opportunities for learning and changing the world. But in the modern world, we need to carry on those Ancestors’ heritage and use both hard and soft science to solve problems structurally.
Zhuangzi's philosophy can be expressed through fantastical stories, witty parables, and imaginative characters that illustrate his points in a thought-provoking way. Here is the one:
A magnificent cypress stood strong for thousands of years, a landmark for all. One day, a worried Willow sighed, "Don't you fear the storm? You'll be ripped from the ground!" The sared cypress chuckled, "By clinging rigid, you might break. I bend with the wind, like the Dao, flowing and unharmed."
A talented artist was obsessed with capturing the perfect image of a mountain peak with those sacred cypresses; frustrated by every line on how to reveal the natural spirit. One day, a traveling Grandma stopped by. "Why fight the mountain?" She asked. "Let your brush dance with its spirit, not try to control it. The Dao flows through all things, even mountains." The young artist was inspired and relaxed, seeing the mountain as a living thing, full of imagination. So let the brush follow the natural flow of the peak's form. Finally, a masterpiece emerged, not by force, but by following the way of nature.
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