It takes courage to navigate our way when confronted with the unfamiliar. Whether it’s at a gathering of unfamiliar faces, or tackling a new project, or moving into a new neighbourhood. We can’t predict how people will respond to us, and often can’t confidently rely on our existing knowledge and skill sets.
The Zhuangzi, a Daoist text from 4th century BCE China, was written at a time when life was precarious. It recognises that circumstances are always changing and it encourages us to embrace what these changes bring. The Zhuangzi is a wonderful text, full of fascinating stories that sometimes use talking animals to question our values and projects. It makes fun of the way other approaches or traditions can take life too seriously, for instance, when they impose rigid practices and expectations on everyone. It challenges the Confucian views of the time, in some stories portraying Confucius as being inflexibly focused on a specific way to live. In one scenario he is described as being in shackles, bound by his own values. Through this image, the Zhuangzi emphasises the importance of allowing ourselves to wander outside our comfort zone.
The text also tells the story of a frog who is happy in the well where he lives. He enjoys the ledges on the walls, the water and the mud, and he considers his life superior to those of the tadpoles and crabs who also live in the well. The frog subsequently meets a giant turtle who talks about the vastness of the ocean. Only then does he realise his narrow and blinkered understanding of life.
The Zhuangzi tells this tale to warn against living an insular life. What does this mean for us? We shouldn’t only move in circles we’re comfortable with, only read authors who share our views, and only undertake tasks that pose no significant challenges. Life is multifaceted and diverse, in the Zhuangzi’s view. Instead of setting up artificial barriers around ourselves, we should enjoy encountering what is new and engaging. Here are some ways to reflect on the Zhuangzi’s words.
Seek opportunities for new experiences
Allow yourself to try different things. Accept that not everything will be exhilarating and positive, and that a negative experience could provide a valuable lesson. Keep an open mind so you don’t miss what the new situation offers up.
Don’t be held back by your expectations
Sometimes we don’t engage fully with a situation because we superimpose preconceived ideas and expectations on it. We interpret scenarios in predictable ways, based on routine thinking, rather than trying to see them with fresh eyes. We don’t give ourselves the opportunity to feel our way around but continue being hemmed in by our worldviews. Whether a situation is more or less familiar, it helps to go into it with an open mind. We need to observe carefully so that we can see what opportunities are available and understand what constraints there might be.
Act responsively
We often hear that Daoist philosophy advises us to “go with the flow”. But that is not quite correct. The Zhuangzi encourages us to act responsively rather than to simply give in. When you enter an unfamiliar situation, don’t forget to ask yourself, what is new here? What do I bring to it? Give yourself a chance to respond well.
Embrace the journey
New challenges might bring new skills. Who knows – you might find a new hobby or segue into a different job. Engaging more fully with the world enriches our lives, allows us to evaluate our views, deepens our understanding and helps us cultivate new skills. From the Zhuangzi’s perspective, thinking about how we engage with the world is something we should always do.
The Zhuangzi wittily rejects the perspectives of those who suggest we should stay “in our lane”. Life is too important to do that. By embracing the journey, we bring creativity and spontaneity into our lives.
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Karyn Lai is professor of philosophy at the faculty of arts, design and architecture at the University of New South Wales
