I listened to the COTEN RADIO "Laozi and Zhuangzi" series

I listened to the latest COTEN RADIO series, the "Laozi and Zhuangzi" edition.

This time it's a short series hosted by Yang-Yang. Fukai-san is taking a break to recover from sleep deprivation.

However, Lao-Zhuang philosophy is great. I had a rough idea of it before, but being able to listen to it as a cohesive overview like this really helps me grasp the bigger picture, which I'm happy about.

I didn't know that Lao-Zhuang philosophy had a strong influence on Japanese Buddhism during the process of translating scriptures, so that was an "aha!" moment for me. That said, studying Buddhism seriously in Sanskrit seems difficult, so I hesitate...

The idea that compared to the eternal, infinite universe, I am just a tiny speck, or that this current life might not be reality but a dream a butterfly is having. Lao-Zhuang philosophy, which is incredibly macroscopic and emphasizes wholeness, is indeed attractive to modern people who tend to worry about every little thing.

Realizing that one is a tiny existence can seem negative at first glance, but I don't think that's necessarily the case.

I think I've introduced this on Note before, but there is a YouTube video that is a favorite of mine called "Optimistic Nihilism."

(Japanese version)

(Original English version)

While this video isn't directly related to Lao-Zhuang philosophy, I think it effectively points out the positive aspect that by realizing "I am a tiny existence," you are liberated to live freely without being caught up in trivial matters.

If we aren't careful, we tend to push ourselves to be useful people or feel we must only engage in actions that are undeniably effective and important. This is especially true for serious people.

For example,

I must save people in need. I must make the world a more equal and peaceful place without injustice.

And so on.

That vision is, of course, wonderful, but it's not rare for people to be crushed by the weight of that vision. The medical field is full of people burning out from the gap between their ideals and reality.

That's why thinking that you are a tiny existence and that you don't have to do big things can actually help you sustain actions toward those "good" visions for longer, and might even contribute more to them. And above all, you can live freely and vibrantly.

In short, it's about "relaxing your shoulders," and listening to this series made me think again that a macroscopic and nihilistic Lao-Zhuang philosophy (and by extension, Buddhism) might be effective for people to "relax" in that way.

Also, the classic introductory book on mindfulness from a while ago, "Search Inside Yourself," also features a very good poem at the end that relates to this topic.

And following this poem, the book concludes with "May you all be lazy, and may you save the world.".

I quite like this message, as if it's saying "it's the lazy people who will save the world," Egusa. After all, I think the world tries too hard and works too much.

Also, the idea that "what seems natural is what is worth doing" really feels like the "wu wei ziran" (effortless action) of Lao-Zhuang philosophy.

And, the video on "optimistic nihilism" I mentioned earlier was made by a German group, and "Search Inside Yourself" originated from Google, so that's American.

I don't know if they were influenced by Lao-Zhuang philosophy, Egusa, but isn't it very interesting that ways of thinking similar to Lao-Zhuang philosophy can be found all over the world?

It seems that there is indeed a universal human significance here.

So, let's all become lazy and save the world.

(Oh, and it's fine to take this with the same level of commitment as saying "I'll go if I can," like a "I'll save the world if I can" kind of vibe.)