Taoism, Mastery, and Spontaneity | Leone Wright | TEDxUniversityCollegeRoosevelt

Key Concepts:

• Taoism: An ancient Chinese philosophy emphasizing living in harmony with the Tao (the Way).
• Tao Te Ching: The foundational text of Taoism, offering guidance on governance and living a balanced life.
• Childlike/Natural Stage: The initial stage of learning characterized by spontaneity, innocence, and a lack of skill.
• Learning Stage: The stage of conscious effort, dedicated practice, and skill development, marked by concentration and mistakes.
• Mastery Stage (Wu-Wei): The final stage characterized by effortless action, spontaneity combined with skill, and a state of flow.
• Art of Living: The Taoist concept of applying the principles of Taoism to all aspects of life, achieving harmony with existence.

Taoist Stages of Learning: A Musician's Path to Mastery

1. Introduction

Leon introduces his passion for Eastern philosophies and music, aiming to demonstrate the relevance of Taoist principles to modern life. He focuses on the Taoist stages of learning, using the example of a musician's journey to illustrate these abstract concepts, culminating in the concept of Wu-Wei (effortless action). He emphasizes the importance of understanding the entire path, not just the final stage.

2. Background on Taoism

Taoism originated in China around the 4th century B.C.E. The Tao Te Ching, a collection of 60 poems/verses, initially served as guidance for rulers but has been adapted for personal well-being. The Tao Te Ching passage, "Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn't try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms. For every force, there is a counterforce. Violence, even well-intentioned, always rebounds upon itself," exemplifies the multifaceted nature of Taoist teachings.

3. Stage 1: The Childlike/Natural Stage

This stage is characterized by:

• Lack of Skill: Initial attempts are often unrefined and unskilled.
• Spontaneity: Actions are driven by pure, uninhibited expression.
• Innocence: A naive and unselfconscious approach to the activity.

Example: Leon's early guitar playing at age six, marked by unharmonious banging and loud singing, was an expression of pure joy, tolerated by adults due to its innocence.

4. Stage 2: The Learning Stage

This stage is defined by:

• Conscious Effort: Dedicated practice and concentration are essential for skill development.
• Mistakes: Errors are an inevitable part of the learning process.
• Skill Development: Gradual improvement in ability through practice.

Example: Leon's guitar journey from age eight, marked by formal training and continuous practice, exemplifies this stage. He acknowledges being in this stage even after 14 years and six guitars. The level of skill rises, so does the level of mastery.

5. Stage 3: Mastery (Wu-Wei)

This stage is characterized by:

• Effortless Action (Wu-Wei): Actions flow naturally without conscious effort or overthinking.
• Spontaneity and Skill: A combination of the initial childlike spontaneity with the refined skills acquired through practice.
• Relaxation: The performer no longer needs intense concentration.

Example: The musician who has practiced enough to trust their chords will always be sweet and their hand will move where they will it.

Quote: The Tao Te Ching says, "If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job and then let go."

6. The Art of Living and the Importance of Failure

Taoism extends beyond specific skills to encompass the "art of living," a state of harmony with all of life. While the Tao Te Ching is vague on the specifics, the concept is comforting, particularly the understanding that failure is a necessary part of the journey.

Argument: Failure is not only normal and inevitable but also imperative for growth. Unwillingness to fail hinders improvement and mastery.

Examples: Learning how to comfort a friend, do laundry, or make a joke all involve failures and cringeworthy moments.

7. Conclusion

Whether or not one achieves mastery in the art of living, exploring unfamiliar systems of thought can be valuable. The key takeaway is that failure is necessary to achieve mastery, whether in baking, playing an instrument, or living life.