Class Notes 11/18

Today in class we looked over all of the pictures taken on Wu Wei Day, and picked which ones looked most like Wu Wei. Our opening question was to pick the one that you think most represents Wu Wei and why. The picture of the water fountain was the most commonly used throughout all of the groups. We also answered the questions on the Te of Piglet story. Our answers were:
1) The main purpose of this article is to show how Piglet is the epidimy of the Te.
2) The key question that the author is addressing is how did man's Ego get in the way of his relationship with animals?
3) The experience of man seperating himself from nature is due to his Ego. The definition of the DEHr which means virtue in action.
4) Piglet has DEHr because she has special character, spritiual strength and hidden potential unique to the individual.
5) Some of the key concepts are the history that brought back Daoism and the history of the Seperation and what Daoism is now and the DEHr.
6) The main assumptions are that characters are animals in a story so they are hard to relate to our lives. Also Daoist concern themselves with perfecting the harmony of the Dao and by doing so they are not in the spirit of the Dao.
7) If we take this seriously the implications are that most wars won't occur. and no one would assert themselves with other people's behaviors. However no advancements in any area would be made because they live by the exact opposite philosophy. We would be simply like cavemen.
8) If we fail to take this seriously, the implications are that we would live in a state of continuous chaos: war and disaster. People would be searching for happiness through material goods instead of through relationships.
9) The main points of view are the destruction man kind has caused by ego, the harmony of the Dao, and the hidden potential unique to Piglet called the DEHr.
The rest of the class was a study hall. Have a good break! Happy Thanksgiving!