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Taoism from Scratch
Module 1
From Warring States Disorder to the Daoist Tradition
1
New Ways of Living in Eastern Zhou China
Explain how warfare, political fragmentation, and social change during the Eastern Zhou period encouraged new answers to the question of how to live.
Explain how warfare, political fragmentation, and social change during the Eastern Zhou period encouraged new answers to the question of how to live.
2
Daoism and Confucianism on Social Order and Leadership
Compare an early Daoist response with a Confucian response to one shared problem, such as social disorder or effective leadership.
Compare an early Daoist response with a Confucian response to one shared problem, such as social disorder or effective leadership.
3
Contrasting Daoist Wisdom Through the Dao De Jing and Zhuangzi
Distinguish the contributions of the Dao De Jing and the Zhuangzi by interpreting one characteristic image or story from each text.
Distinguish the contributions of the Dao De Jing and the Zhuangzi by interpreting one characteristic image or story from each text.
4
From Early Daoist Texts to Organized Daoist Movements
Place the early Daoist texts and the later emergence of organized Daoist movements on a simple timeline, distinguishing them without treating philosophical and religious Daoism as unrelated traditions.
Place the early Daoist texts and the later emergence of organized Daoist movements on a simple timeline, distinguishing them without treating philosophical and religious Daoism as unrelated traditions.
Module 2
Cook Ding and the Art of Not Forcing
5
Wu Wei: Effortless Action, Not Inaction
Distinguish wu wei, or non-forcing action, from laziness, passivity, and literal inaction.
Distinguish wu wei, or non-forcing action, from laziness, passivity, and literal inaction.
6
Mastery as Attentive, Effortless Action: Zhuangzi’s Cook Ding
Explain how Zhuangzi's story of Cook Ding portrays mastery as attentive, responsive action rather than strained effort.
Explain how Zhuangzi's story of Cook Ding portrays mastery as attentive, responsive action rather than strained effort.
7
Redesigning Tasks Through Wu Wei and Simplicity
Apply wu wei and the simplicity represented by the uncarved block to redesign one recurring task, preserving its purpose while removing unnecessary friction.
Apply wu wei and the simplicity represented by the uncarved block to redesign one recurring task, preserving its purpose while removing unnecessary friction.
Module 3
Horses, Butterflies, and the Strength of Water
8
Suspending Judgment: The Lost Horse Story
Use the lost-horse story from the Huainanzi to suspend a premature judgment about a favorable or unfavorable event.
Use the lost-horse story from the Huainanzi to suspend a premature judgment about a favorable or unfavorable event.
9
Exploring Two Perspectives Through the Butterfly Dream and Happy Fish Debate
Use the butterfly dream or the debate over the happy fish to describe one situation from two credible perspectives.
Use the butterfly dream or the debate over the happy fish to describe one situation from two credible perspectives.
10
Flexible Conflict Resolution with Firm Boundaries
Apply the water metaphor and non-contention to reframe a minor conflict while preserving a necessary boundary, demonstrating how flexibility differs from resignation.
Apply the water metaphor and non-contention to reframe a minor conflict while preserving a necessary boundary, demonstrating how flexibility differs from resignation.
Module 4
Sitting, Walking, and a Seven-Day Experiment
11
Daoist Practices: Traditional Aims and Modern Secular Uses
Map meditation, breath cultivation, ritual, and longevity practices within the broader Daoist tradition, distinguishing their traditional aims from modern secular uses.
Map meditation, breath cultivation, ritual, and longevity practices within the broader Daoist tradition, distinguishing their traditional aims from modern secular uses.
12
Secular Mindfulness Practice and Direct Observation
Perform a brief secular adaptation of sitting in forgetfulness using natural, unstrained breathing, then record directly observable effects without inferring medical benefits.
Perform a brief secular adaptation of sitting in forgetfulness using natural, unstrained breathing, then record directly observable effects without inferring medical benefits.
13
Slow Walking for Releasing Bodily Tension
Perform a short slow-walking exercise to identify bodily tension and experiment with releasing unnecessary effort.
Perform a short slow-walking exercise to identify bodily tension and experiment with releasing unnecessary effort.
14
Seven Days of Taoist-Inspired Experiments in Effortless Living
Create a realistic seven-day plan of brief Taoist-inspired experiments involving non-forcing, simplicity, perspective, and contemplative practice.
Create a realistic seven-day plan of brief Taoist-inspired experiments involving non-forcing, simplicity, perspective, and contemplative practice.