ALL IS WELL IN THE GREAT MESS: An Adaptation of the Inner Chapters of the Zhuangzi with Reflections

by Scott P. Bradley

All is Well in the Great Mess is an adaptation of the Inner Chapters (1-7) of the Book of Zhuangzi with accompanying commentary. These chapters are thought to be the work of the 4th Century BCE Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu). Although traditionally regarded as a Daoist, his philosophy is in fact quite different from that of other proto-Daoist philosophers of his time and what is generally understood as Daoism today. Most significantly, he eschewed all metaphysical speculation in favor of taking our obvious not-knowing as his irremediable point of departure. Nor did he envision any need for the salvation of the individual, humanity or the cosmos. All is ultimately well by virtue of its being at all and we can, therefore, entrust ourselves to whatever the Mystery “is” and to whatever befalls us in life and in death. The apparent messiness of things (from the human point of view) can thus be playfully wandered in without fear of loss. The vicissitudes of life become the opportunity for our soaring freedom, rather than things that impinge upon it. In this way Zhuangzi’s dao affirms all things and all human interpretations of them. Yet, taking human happiness and flourishing as his highest value, he also suggests a path to its fullest realization and critiques those daos that fail to do so. His analysis of the human experience and his suggested response to it presents a non-religious, though deeply mystical, philosophy of life that is as relevant today as it was more than two millennia ago.Zhuangzi is known for his purposeful ambiguity, playfulness and perplexing irony. This adaptation is an attempt to clarify some of his message and to illuminate the continuity between the many apparently disparate vignettes that make up most of the text. As such, it understands that it is but one possible interpretive exercise and does not believe itself to be definitive. Though the reader will likely find a great deal upon which to ruminate in this adaptation, she or he is also encouraged to grapple with Zhuangzi as found in more literal translations.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2015

Reviews

[Ryan Derby-Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

All is Well in the Great Mess is an interpretive reflection on the “Inner Chapters” of the Zhuangzi text of ancient Chinese philosophy. Considered a formative Daoist text, the author’s goal is to get beyond a conceptual understanding to wander into the paradoxical, playful message of freedom and surrender to be found underlying the writings. To that end, the author takes some telegraphed liberal interpretations to help bring about what he sees to be the freeing insights from Zhuangzi.

The heart of the argument of the book is this: “right” and “wrong” are entirely human labels that cannot be found anywhere other than in human being. The application of “right” and “wrong” results in dependency, which erodes the possible feeling-free and spontaneous that results when one is able to surrender to a world without “right” or “wrong.” But the problem is trickier than this, and paradoxical. Basically, to find freedom, one has to let go of “right” and “wrong” but still pursue what one prefers, and makes one’s life more enjoyable. So it is a simultaneous letting go and taking up of what one wants, what is “right” for one. As he says on page 12, “This allows us to simultaneously affirm all things just as they are while also seeking their improvement.” This paradoxical state is the heart of the daoism espoused/not espoused by Zhuangzi. The author uses the text of the Inner Chapters of the Zhuangzi to come at this point again and again.

This book made a powerful impact on me as I read it, I think because it hit me at just the right spot and time in my own life to illuminate some important insights for myself. As an idealist, I have often wanted to “force” my life into certain clear-cut and fixed understandings and practices –– a perfect schedule, perfect ideas, perfect writing, and perfect philosophy. And yet I have struggled with the inevitable and strong entropy that always pushes against those ideals. This book is about how that is not a problem, and in fact is simply something to be embraced. A deeper understanding of “idealist” means one able to pursue ideals, but joyfully and freely tolerating their constant evasion and failure. This seems to be an important freeing thought for me, one that I continued to encounter in reading this book. All Is Well in the Great Mess.

[Michael C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read several translations before stumbling across this work by Scott Bradley. This is the most accessible book I have come across on Zhuangzi’s philosophy. Extremely well done.