Zhuangzi - As We Are

Right is not right; so is not so. If right were really right, it would differ so clearly from not right that there would be no need for argument. If so were really so, it would differ so clearly from not so that there would be no need for argument. Forget the years; forget distinctions. Leap into the boundless and make it your home!
~ from Chapter 2, Burton Watson Translation ~

Siroj Sorajjakool features this snippet as the preface for Chapter 7 of his book, Do Nothing: Peace for Everyday Living: Reflections on Chuang Tzu's Philosophy. In his discussion of its meaning, he observes that we too often aren't content with "what is" or "as we are." So, we try to turn ourselves into what we are not and this creates tension and alienation.

As Siroj see it -- and I think this is a very apt description of the human condition -- needs beget wants and wants too often lead to greed. We want what we want and, when we get it, we want more. It's all downhill from there!

We move from inner dissatisfaction to discrimination, corruption, and abuse...Would it not be true to say, the fewer categories we create, the less need there is to discriminate.

Our society informs us that we should never be satisfied with where or who we are. We should always push the envelope. Everything we think and do must be bigger, better and grander than the previous instance. If a person becomes satisfied with life as it is, then we too often say that this individual lacks ambition or is complacent and apathetic.

Yet, this constant push to strive by categorizing the world as good or bad, beneficial or wasteful, or loving or hateful is what estranges us from the Way. When we make distinctions, we lose sight that all things are connected or all things are manifestations of the One.

In doing so, we set ourselves apart from the mysterious essence and we create an artificial struggle where none need exist.

In making this point, neither Zhuangzi nor Siroj is making an argument that humans should not grow. Growth grants us the opportunity to gain wisdom. It's more that when we seek to grow through artificial distinctions we thwart the very thing we're after.

To read more musings about the Zhuangzi, you can visit the index page for this ongoing series.