Uploaded October 2021 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
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In this video, I talk about Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Taoism, and the concept of “being like water”.
In Taoism, this “best man” is referred to as a Sage, and by taking on the qualities of water, the Sage comes close to the Tao. I said that water could be described in many ways, but I think it has one, chief characteristic: it’s formless. And because it’s formless, water is adaptable. It can become whatever it needs to suit the situation, in cold turning to ice, in heat to vapour. So the water-like sage must be formless too, but what does it mean to be formless?
A formless mind is capable of endless, expansive growth. A child is a great example of formlessness. Its mind is still fresh, unjaded, and unconditioned by the world. Nothing but potential lies in front of it, and it does nothing but learn all day. But as many children grow older, their minds tend to calcify, they become more rigid, and they stop learning. But the water-like sage retains a mind that is formless, unbounded, and constantly learning, lacking rigidity and capable of responding to any situation. So what causes rigidity in the mind?
RELATED VIDEOS
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Practical Philosophy Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5faAYlGYYoF7rgKH4oo_B81n4wE1n2xP
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FURTHER READING
—
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu: geni.us/8Aupz
NOTES
—
(1) Videos are just my opinion, for entertainment and informational purposes. Just some things to think about—not advice.
(2) Some of the links in the description are affiliate links which I get a kickback from—at no extra cost to you. Eg - any Amazon links.
Click here to sign up for free and the first 200 people to sign up get 20% off an annual subscription: brilliant.org/freedominthought
ABOUT
_
In this video, I talk about Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Taoism, and the concept of “being like water”.
In Taoism, this “best man” is referred to as a Sage, and by taking on the qualities of water, the Sage comes close to the Tao. I said that water could be described in many ways, but I think it has one, chief characteristic: it’s formless. And because it’s formless, water is adaptable. It can become whatever it needs to suit the situation, in cold turning to ice, in heat to vapour. So the water-like sage must be formless too, but what does it mean to be formless?
A formless mind is capable of endless, expansive growth. A child is a great example of formlessness. Its mind is still fresh, unjaded, and unconditioned by the world. Nothing but potential lies in front of it, and it does nothing but learn all day. But as many children grow older, their minds tend to calcify, they become more rigid, and they stop learning. But the water-like sage retains a mind that is formless, unbounded, and constantly learning, lacking rigidity and capable of responding to any situation. So what causes rigidity in the mind?
RELATED VIDEOS
_
Practical Philosophy Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5faAYlGYYoF7rgKH4oo_B81n4wE1n2xP
GET MORE FREE CONTENT
—
Get Daily Thoughts on Twitter: twitter.com/freedomintht
Get Daily Insights on Instagram: instagram.com/freedomintht
Get Exclusive Essays in my Newsletter: freedominthought.com/exclusives
FURTHER READING
—
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu: geni.us/8Aupz
NOTES
—
(1) Videos are just my opinion, for entertainment and informational purposes. Just some things to think about—not advice.
(2) Some of the links in the description are affiliate links which I get a kickback from—at no extra cost to you. Eg - any Amazon links.
