Effortless Living: Wu-Wei and the Spontaneous State of Natural Harmony

by Jason Gregory, Damo Mitchell (Foreword)

A guide for achieving an enlightened mind through the art of non-doing • Details meditation practices, focused on stillness of the mind, along with Patanjali’s yoga methods to maintain a consciousness referred to as “being in the zone” • Builds on Taoist, Confucian, and Hindu principles along with scientific findings to support wu-wei--the art of non-doing, non-forcing--as a way of life • Explains how wu-wei practitioners cultivate intelligent spontaneity and effortless action to allow the natural harmony of the cosmos to prevail The practice of non-doing, non-forcing is an essential aspect of Taoism known as wu-wei. Attributed to the great sage Lao-tzu, the philosophy of wu-wei teaches you how to develop a natural state of consciousness not bound by thought or preconceived limitations. Experienced by the greatest artists, athletes, musicians, and writers, this heightened state of consciousness, referred to as “being in the zone,” is where intelligent spontaneity and effortless action flourish via a practice rooted in permitting the natural harmony of the cosmos to prevail. Merging Taoist philosophy, Hindu principles, and Confucianism along with scientific findings, Jason Gregory outlines the practice of wu-wei as a vehicle to realize our innate freedom, revealing that when we release our ego and allow life to unfold as it will, we align ourselves more closely with our goals and cultivate skill and mastery along the way. Equating “being in the zone” with a stillness of the mind, Gregory shares meditation practices coupled with yoga exercises from Patanjali that allow you to approach life with a mastery of acceptance, releasing deluded beliefs of how to achieve success that make your mind “sticky” and poised for conflict. The author shows how practicing wu-wei paradoxically empowers you to accomplish all that you desire by having no intention to do so, as well as allowing you to become receptive to nature’s blueprint for expressing beauty. Revealing wisdom utilized by renowned sages, artists, and athletes who have adapted “being in the zone” as a way of life, the author shows that wu-wei can yield a renewed sense of trust in many aspects of your daily life, making each day more effortless. As an avid wu-wei practitioner, he provides keen insight on how you, too, can experience the beauty of achieving an enlightened, effortless mind while reveling in the process of life’s unfolding.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Taoism, Philosophy, Self Help, Religion

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 13, 2018

About the author

Jason Gregory is an author, philosopher, and teacher with expertise primarily in Eastern philosophy and spirituality, with a deep-rooted background in Western philosophy, comparative religion, psychology, cognitive science, metaphysics, and ancient cultures, as he seamlessly bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary understanding.

With over 15 years of dedicated teaching, Jason has enriched countless lives by sharing the wisdom gained from his immersive journeys to the remote corners of Asia, resulting in numerous published works. He is the author of several books, including Spiritual Freedom in the Digital Age, Emotional Intuition for Peak Performance, Effortless Living, Fasting the Mind, Enlightenment Now, and The Science and Practice of Humility. Moreover, he is the creator behind several enlightening documentaries, including The Art of Effortless Living, Effortless Action: The Art of Spontaneity, The Yugas: The Great Time Cycles of the Universe, The Art of Letting Go, and The Art of Synchronicity.

At the heart of Jason’s endeavors lies a deep and enduring connection with the spiritual traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. He has delved into the roots of these traditions for almost two decades, immersing himself in their meditative practices and gleaning insights that defy conventional understanding. These experiences have not only enriched his personal journey but have also become the cornerstone of his teachings. His YouTube channel serves as a digital sanctuary where seekers can partake in his enlightening lectures on spirituality, and his podcast with his wife and co-host Gayoung, The Jason Gregory Podcast, opens up dialogues that traverse the realms of consciousness, self-realization, and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit.

With his multidimensional approach, Jason Gregory has become a transformative force for individuals seeking to explore the uncharted territories of their own consciousness. His teachings resonate with the timeless echoes of ancient wisdom while addressing the unique challenges of our modern era. By fusing profound insights with practical guidance, he empowers individuals to embody the essence of Eastern philosophy and cultivate lives of authenticity, purpose, and inner peace.

Reviews

[Ina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say I gained much from this book.

The first 60% were judgemental generalizations about modern society. Not the vibe I'm looking for in a book that is supposed to offer peace and wisdom. The rest was very chaotic, lacking in concreteness, and depth.

It's like the author just retold us things he's read about wu-wei, instead of sharing his lived experience and helping us deepen our own practice.

[pengice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for spiritual growth

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find the path of least resistance.

[Y.S. Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effortless Living tries to redefine the essence of Lao Tsu's book, Tao de Ching, stripping it of layers others have put on it over the years.

WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
People interested and invested in Tao de Ching and its principles would love this book.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
There is a whiff of commercialism and religion about Tao de Ching and Taoist principles in general in today's world. The author goes to a great length removing Tao de Ching from self-help, martial art, and religious strappings to communicate its timeless message about the world, the human self, and the ridiculousness of prescribing rules for people to follow in the bid to live a fulfilled life.

MEMORABLE PASSAGE

Common misconceptions are built around language, especially among those who are spiritually inclined. The way people associate their understanding with certain words, such as consciousness, mind, awareness, perception, ego, self, truth, and God, all cause much confusion, because each word has the ability to change its meaning in correspondence to the growth of the individual. This confusion occurs even among people of the same language. On top of this, there is an immense amount of misinterpretation that is lost in translation from one language to another. In any event, language itself, no matter what dialect, is an inadequate tool for describing the nature of the universe.


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Effortless Living: Wu-Wei and the Spontaneous State of Natural Harmony by Jason Gregory is available to buy on all major online bookstores.

Many thanks to Inner Traditions for review copy.

[T Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

The practice of non-doing – simplified

Isn’t that an oxymoron – non-doing is already simple, right? Not exactly, but it can be. This book explains how, and it makes so much sense. It is an art, and yes, it is a practice, but once you get it, and it will come somewhat quickly, you won’t want to stop non-doing. The results are obvious and so very beneficial. If you truly want to change your life, if you truly want to create a better life, if you truly want to manifest your desires – allow this to be your guide. BUT, and there is one caveat – you may receive more than you thought, believed or dreamed possible. That happened to me. I’ve been non-doing for a while, so this book was a refresher. It made me go back through the lineage of my outcomes to see what I dreamed, wanted, thought only to notice that what I got was so much better and more worthwhile than what I hoped. It truly is a work of excellence. Buy. Read. Non-do. It’s that simple.

[Harry Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was super fortunate to read this book before publication and I can tell you Jason did not disappoint again. I've learned so much from all of his books and this one just adds to a deeper wisdom I've been trying to learn about life and myself for the last few years. In Jason's previous books and on his shows he speaks about wu-wei a lot but this book just took it a step further. Especially because its about how taking our foot off the gas can actually bring life back into harmony when we leave life to be as it will. Lao-tzu was definitely ahead of his time, actually he's still ahead of our time and I'm extremely grateful that Jason has brought this ancient wisdom to life for me. Highly recommended!

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a rather intriguing book to read and contemplate as it discusses at some length the practice of wu-wei. I struggled with this book at times, because I see how much my own narrative of control has stopped me from gracefully being in the moment and not doing. Yet reading this book opened my awareness further around not doing and it is something I will come back to again and again, because it is worth doing, and worth letting go.

[Bárbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough good things about this book. Don’t let the long, self-help like title mislead you thinking that’s what this book is. Simply written, it offers the right amount of intellectual concepts and examples so as to give you a tangible grasp of Taoism.

[Sarah Artist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am just halfway through the book, and had to come here to review. This book is a must read, filled with knowledge and essential truths. Those exciting moments where you can see with true clarity and understanding. Thank you Jason!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a truckload of books on Taoism in my time and this is the best book on Taoism and the concept of wu-wei hands down. This book is very important in our current culture.

[Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although it was a little hard getting through the first part. A lot of info and made me realize that I need less distractions and to be more in the moment.

[Jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[SAT CHIT ANANDA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrender control, the art of Wu-Wei. A beautiful book by Jason Gregory that is enjoyable, coherent, and thought-provoking. This book is absolutely flush with great quotes - here I will share with you that I copied down:

"When you trust the universe, you become one with it. Wu-Wei dawns upon the individual in the same way, because when we let go of control, we gain the indescribable power and virtue of Tao. This relation of trust and oneness is the principle of living wu-wei. When you are humble enough to leave things alone, you begin to feel a sense of unity intuitively."

"Our true nature and reality can only be experienced when the sense of "I" has vanished. "

"Satori, is not the crowning of an ultimate success but of an ultimate defeat. The consciousness of always having been free appears in us when we have exhausted all the attempts, all the training, that we believe may be capable of liberating us."

"When you finally realize, beyond intellectual speculation, that the whole universe is happening to you right now all at once, you will cease projecting yourself into the world, because you will become receptive to the universe."

"If your attention is focused on worldly affairs, the Tao cannot make use of you, because your awareness is hypnotized to believe that the world of forms is a concrete reality."

"As the softness of water slowly wears away at the hardness of rock, so too does fate wear away at the rigidity of our conditioned identity".

"Fate and the unconscious conspire against the conscious self to further the growth of the individual."

“Synchronicity is the song of spirit and matter”

“When we look into the Eternal Self we discover the Way, and when we follow the Way we reveal the Eternal Self”.

"Our love has to exceed our boundaries to include not only our neighbors but also our enemies and the community of animals, plants, and minerals.".

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Lastly, this is the first book that I've read that I'm a little taken back by the rating. It is currently at 3.97 stars. In my opinion, a book of this caliber should be averaging at least 4.5 stars, if not higher. It almost seems unfathomable to give this book 3 stars or less. /In my opinion

[Mikolaj · Rating 1 out of 5]

Looks like a self-help book, turns out to be mostly historical and when it gets practical, any pieces of wisdom turn out to be nothing new. What is surprising, is the amount of negativity and criticism of some other philosophies and lifestyles - justified or not, it's neither pleasant to read nor very Zen. The book is extremely wordy and repetitive, I couldn't read it from cover to cover.

The author thrives on overcomplicating the sentences to sound sophisticated while oversimplifying all the world's problems (not a hyperbole) as he tries to convince the reader that Wu-Wei philosophy is the only solution we need. Sounds like a recruitment call to a cult for moderately smart people.

Some passages are just plain bullshit. The worst to me is his complete misinterpretation or even fake portrayal of Thor Heyerdahl's famous trip that Gregory uses to support his spiritual claims while ignoring all the science behind the actual events. Furthermore, he pushes a completely twisted conclusion from the quote from Jung (at least that's how it appears in the polish version) - an apparent attempt to use authority and show scientific support for claims related to Tao, while claiming it cannot be tested by science (elsewhere in the book). That's just some examples from a quick, partial, read. I imagine there's much more.

Below is my summary of the good stuff, not necessarily how Gregory would put it: practice acceptance rather than forceful attempts at controlling things, meditate to free yourself from the rush and domination of the logical intellect, go with the flow and your natural inclinations, be more spontaneous and trust your intuition. There are far better books on these subjects though.

I imagine someone interested in all the details and history of Taoism could benefit from the book. Still, I consider it poorly written and dishonest.

[Lilach Lavy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book. And it seems it came to me at just the right time...
If you expect very brilliant and stylized authorship- you might find that it's not so much what this book offers. The writing is pretty straight forward.
Mostly, it's just a personal perspective, that seems well earned through years of seeking and deep inqiry.

Up till now i like the "whole picture" i see from Jason, both from this book, and from other media he's active on, like his YouTube videos... he comes across as just a genuine traveler of the path to truth, with some deep insight and discernment about spiritual knowledge and practice.
I just bought 2 other books of his.
Good luck on your travels, all.

[Tony Thorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason's books have been especially helpful for me and this new book just blew my mind with its wisdom. He is one of the best contemporary teachers on Zen and other Eastern philosophies. Zen is my taste but Taoism is always close to my heart as I love the teachings. This book has allowed me to understand Taoism even more.

[Cheryl Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this one as a beginner and came out of it with my head spinning. What a radical way to view the world. And the irony is that in the end this is the true way to live but we are all wound up in the hustle and bustle. No thanks, leave me out of it. I'm going to follow the natural way for now on.

[Asia · Rating 1 out of 5]

To bardzo osobliwa lektura i trzeba mieć dosyć specyficzne podejście do życia, aby ją docenić. Dla mnie wartościowych myśli było jedynie kilka, a reszta jawiła mi się raczej jako nawiedzony bełkot. Autor mówi, że należy żyć zgodnie z zasadą wu-wei, ale tak naprawdę nie mówi, jak to zrobić w dzisiejszym świecie - jak żyjąc w zgodzie ze sobą nie popaść w ruinę, nie być bezdomnym itp. Światłe idee, ale jak dla mnie kompletnie oderwane od jakichkolwiek możliwości realizacji. A fragment, w którym człowiek płynął tratwą przez Ocean Spokojny i nic mu się nie stało, bo był pełen ufności, woła po prostu o pomstę. Przepraszam, ja wysiadam.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

From netgalley for review:

I am a huge fan of Wu-wei, it is one of my favorite aspects of Taoist studies. However, reading this book was not effortless, I found reading it to be a bit of a slog and I honestly cannot put my finger on why. It is filled with philosophy I enjoy but presented in a way that just did not keep my attention. Definitely a case of like what is written but not necessarily how.

[Max Smirnoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting read. This book was part of my research on effortlessness, being in the flow, working smart, reducing stress and muscle tension. I cants say that I have achieved my goals after reading it. But I've learned some things.

[Maelen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time or money here. It is absolute drivel -- vague and wordy by an author who throws around names like manhole covers but shows no real familiarity with the concepts associated with them. Much of the book is empty generalities and platitudes. I have some knowledge of Laozi and the Daodejing, the Canon of the Way and Its Influence, and the author scarcely seems to be at Cliff Notes level in his familiarity with this text. I cannot believe he is any better with any of the other traditions he drags in. Mind you, he does no great harm to anyone or anything either. But there are far better journeys to take along the Way than wandering through the echoing halls of his largely empty head.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Nuggets

Of someone who lives in Wu Wei I can say that this book is filled with some great sentences. I just wish some parts of the book were easier to understand. There is a lot of jargon, but that’s probably because it’s a concept you can’t really put into words. He does a great job of explaining some of these deep concepts. Great work.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subject of living a life according to the philosophy of Lao Tzu is explained clearly! A practical and easily accessible guide to the practice of nondoing or wu-wei.

[Emil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book

Effortless Living: Wu-Wei and the spontaneous state of Natural Harmony is a well researched book by Jason Gregory. It presents a thorough explanation between Lao Tzu's harmonious approach to life and the more strict approach of Confucius. It explains the nature of Taoism and what it means to be both in harmony with nature and life and against it.

The problem with the modern age is that humanity is very Ying in its approach to life and tries to enforce itself on nature and life. To control and dominate it rather than allow nature to unfold itself before us and us being a harmonious and practical tool of nature, allowing life to act through us in higher and higher ways. Often time, our limited, wounded and fragile ego stands in the way and wants to enforce its will on life without realizing that it acts from a place of ignorance and discord, hence much of the suffering it meets in its way.

The only thing I wished this book to provide is a bit more practicality or practical examples of every day situations where Wu-Wei can help us see things better.

[Valentín Serrano García · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is useful if u have no previous backage about Taoismus, swadharma, pirronism, mysticism or quietism (some of the main trends which foster the "practice" of taoist Wu-Wei).
But, even being this the case, I think the author hasn't understood taoismus doctrine at all. I find some sections misleading.

I would suggest, instead of this book, to read Isabelle Robinet, Iñaki Preciado, Romain Graziani, Izutsu, Katrin Froese, Francois Jullien, Francois Billeter, and many more... And those readings won't exhaust the matter because they are only comitted with taoism, while "wu wei" needs to be understood opening it to a wider scope, involving hindu dharma as seen at Bhagavad Gita or Chan Chinese Budhism (just to name a few).

[Moses · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. There is a lot of assertion and opinion by the author about reality, society, and other philosophies. The author argued that language is not an adequate tool to understand Reality but paradoxically uses words to create duality and separation. I don't get it.

In his view, only Wu-Wei, Taoism is the answer. There were no citations or references. I was in the middle of chapter 1, and I wondered, "Who makes these assertions? What qualifications does he have?"

[Diane B]

Gregory does say in the intro that the first third of the book will be about how Wu-Wei is different from Confucianism, and wow does he ever get dogmatic about being anti-dogmatic. I recognized some of the content and illustrations from Fasting the Mind.

Also references to Hinduism, Christianity, Zen Buddhism.

Very academic. Useful but it did not penetrate for me.

I would like to read a good translation of the Tao Te Ching.

[Błażej · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mocny nacisk na emocjonalny i duchowy aspekt, logika pozostaje niestety w tyle. Dużo generalizacji, przykłady często nietrafione. Ale przekazuje esencję Tao, a taki jest cel. Bardziej do zrozumienia, niż do przekonania.

[D. S. Dennison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting to read a philosophical essay with such clearly stated principles. I appreciated his position and thought he shared some interesting insights along the way.

Think the thing I learned best after reading this is that Asian spiritual philosophy isn't for me.

[Hieu Do · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel this book requires previous awareness of spirituality. It can be hard to piece together without prior spiritual inquiring.

Otherwise, this book is a diamond in the mine, laden with texts from various spiritual learnings too!