Non-forcing

  • The Marquis of Lu Feeds a Bird

    This article interprets the sea bird fable from Zhuangzi ‑ Zhi Le. The well‑meaning Marquis of Lu treats a seabird with grand human rituals, which frighten and kill it. It warns against projecting one’s own values onto other beings.

  • Why Chasing Joy Makes You Miserable

    This commentary on Zhuangzi – Zhile argues chasing joy brings misery. It interprets core parables including Zhuangzi singing at his wife’s death, the skull’s dream and the sea‑bird fable, advocating wu‑wei and non‑clinging.

  • Why Trying to Fix Yourself Can Make You Worse

    This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Shanxing critiques worldly self‑improvement as self‑defeating. It advocates inner tranquility over accumulating knowledge, warning against becoming “inverted people” who lose their true nature to external things or status.

  • The More You Try to Become Something, the Farther You Get

    This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Keyi critiques forced self‑striving. Using the still‑water metaphor, it advocates wu‑wei: drop grasping external ideals, let the mind settle, and respond naturally rather than forcing self‑improvement.