Uploaded June 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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This is a video lecture on the Taoist principle of ziran 自然, commonly translated into English as “of its own accord,” “the natural way,” or “spontaneity.” It is the free and unfettered natural course of events.

"In the beginning," notes Zhuangzi, "yin and yang were in balanced harmony, and because of this balanced harmony of natural forces, there were no cataclysms and no corruption, and no need for knowledge, though the ancient ones possessed great, profound knowledge. This is what we call the state of perfected unity -- ziran." [Outer Chapters]

Let's explore the many facets of what ziran means. Within Taoism as a school of thought, the meaning and the way we interpret ziran is not static, and in fact has been quite dynamic throughout the dynasties.

Timestamps:
00:00 One of the most significant line statements on ziran (TTC, Verse 25)
00:56 An essential esoteric Taoist axiom
01:32 Ziran as the path of least resistance
01:51 Ziran (path of least resistance) is in alignment with scientific principles; ziran as naturalist philosophy
03:02 Zhuangzi on the “ancient ones” and ziran (Zhuangzi, Outer Chapters 16)
04:27 What we mean when we say “good” vs. “evil”
05:35 Ziran wu wei: relation between ziran and wu wei
07:10 First reference to ziran in the Tao Te Ching (TTC, Verse 17)
07:52 Ziran as political philosophy, per the Tao Te Ching
09:08 Ziran is practicing faith (“without faith, there is nothing to have faith in” defining ziran doctrine)
10:58 Laozi and Zhuangzi laying the foundation for ziran discourse
11:15 Ziran defined as “the nature of things” and “it is what it is”
11:23 The five key verses in the TTC (Laozi) on ziran
13:15 A few of the key passages in the Zhuangzi on ziran
13:59 Zhuangzi on ziran as being indifferent, unsentimental; Huizi’s interrogation
15:16 “The Tao gives the Countenance; Heaven gives the Form” - Zhuangzi
17:11 Ziran as the spontaneous nature before interferences, which is innate goodness; interference with the path of that spontaneous nature is what begets “evil”
17:43 Etymology of the ideograms for ziran
18:31 Selfhood and innate identity as key themes in ziran discourse
20:20 Ziran in Taoist mysticism and occult philosophy; ziran and transcendence
22:44 Question to you for discussion in the comments

See also the companion video lecture on wu wei 無為, the principle of non-action: youtu.be/TzAFobogs3Q?si=Cdg8tW8bSshQ7I-S