Effortless Action: The Art of Spontaneity (Taoist Documentary)

Effortless Action: The Art of Spontaneity is the sequel to my documentary, The Art of Effortless Living. This documentary explores the spontaneous nature of the Taoist wisdom of wu-wei as explained by the great sages Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu. Wu-wei is primarily thought of as non-doing, but there is another component of wu-wei related to effortless action: a state of intelligent spontaneity, where one is effortless in every moment of life. This state of mind is commonly known as "being in the zone," except the idea of “you” doing it and achieving something has vanished and been replaced by an embodied cognitive state akin to that of a skilled craftsman, minus the ego. Taoism explains that this ability to be in the zone is actually our natural state of mind. Integrating the wisdom of the ancient sages with modern science, Effortless Action explains how world-class artists and athletes reach peak performance—and how you, too, can harness wu-wei to make your actions effortless, enjoy intelligent spontaneity, and reach your optimal potential in this life. The spontaneous nature of wu-wei is the real freedom we yearn for because effortless action is the enlightened mind in its natural state of spontaneity.

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THE JASON GREGORY PODCAST AUDIO

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction
0:45 Opening Credits
1:27 Part 1: The Spontaneous Nature of the Mind
5:22 Part 2: The Skill of Life is Yin Over Yang
15:11 Part 3: A Yin-Deficient World
23:15 Part 4: Cultivating Yin
34:40 Part 5: The Art of Being in the Zone
45:45 Outro

Disclaimer: Jason Gregory is an Amazon Associate member. The Amazon links in this description are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Jason will earn a very small commission on qualifying purchases you make, at no additional cost to you. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of making these videos.

[johnc.]

What a wonderful presentation. When I was 20, i was caught in a storm at sea in a small boat. In order to survive it, i had to become one with the storm. I never felt such peace. Thanks again.

[AManofBalance]

My heart has been always been attracted to Eastern philosophy. It’s the perfect match for me.

[jvkk]

The difference between genius and medicore is that one is being and the other is doing, simply outstanding video, thanks for the time you spent for producing this videos, this is the real education

[baabbylon]

Humongous digestion of the best of the eastern philosophy and regurgitated for our western mentality, this documentary could transform us all . Go no further, rewatch and adapt, first class work. Thanks 🙏

[mikelr]

I am stunned by your documentary. 🙏🏻
I changed my eating habits drastically - vegetarian, my intuition “told” me so. Lately, I felt I should stop drinking coffee - so I did. I quit smoking in Summer 2020, chose self isolation in Nov 2019 after a burnout. This coincided with a spiritual awakening. My mind is quite tranquil now, while in the past I was constantly thinking. I deeply reflected upon my traumata via accessing my unconscious. The shadow realm is quite intense, but it enabled the cure of my inner child. There is nothing more exciting to see the world through the eyes of the inner child.
I have been watching both your documentaries and they are proof that my natural intuition is somehow Taoism pure without even having a deep knowledge of it. Somehow I put puzzle pieces from psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, history, etymology, medicine et al. together on my own, usually little pieces were sufficient to get a big picture view. I also experienced the artist experience of creating something without thinking about it (acrylic painting) - I trusted my flow, the process... funnily I cannot even visualize (aphantasia), which makes meditation even more exciting, because I am receiving clearly electromagnetic radiation in all chakra colours in front of my third eye. Since I cannot visualize this is proof to me that there is more in our universe than science can explain.

Big thanks to you! I see your videos as a confirmation that I am on the right path ☺️, and that I do not have to investigate further. That drive has been gone a few weeks ago... now I am focusing on feeling.

[LVXMagick]

This is such a beautifully and eloquently crafted film. I've watched many, but this one blew me away. Not many address the perversion of all philosophy that reaches the western world. The same happens with yoga. You did an amazing job that would make any ancient sage proud. Thank you so much for your contribution to humanity Brother. It is deeply needed and appreciated! Blessings.

[momentumflux]

From the bottom of my heart: this is probably the most important thing, most impactful lecture, most precious gift I had the chance to receive. These two videos are masterfully crafted, I will honour the effort you put into this by sharing it with my friends and family and by trying to live accordingly. Thank you, my friend! This has reached me exactly at the right time as over the last decade I have been kind of a manic chi-siphon, whilst my own inner fire devoured me and left me exhausted. And I surely am not alone with this! Fasting the mind, cultivating yin, yessir! Then let this have been the end of my mindless binging through this vast limbo of distraction and embrace silence and trust. 💙💎

[TalcomoelSol]

Let me thank you for giving us this fruitful explanation about the importance of cultivating "yin" aspect of life.

[JasonSerrano]

A Masterful display of effortless action!

[danp]

The content is outstanding. The cinematography is extremely well done. I am a fan. Thank you Jason!!!!

[nrbysf]

Thanks, I am not native English speaker so usually i have to listen one video several times but it is worthy! Sometimes when i can't i pick up one thing and keep it with me! In this video it is that there is a physical reason behind the gut instinct, and it is so great to learn about these things. And I also like to remember and keep it in mind the separation is unreal... so TRUST! <3

[bobbytan]

This is a masterpiece. It explain so detail and so easy to understand.

[patriciagoverstesch]

Thank you so much Jason for making this documentary! In my life "being" was always more important than "having or gaining". Wayne Dyers interpreation of the Tao has accompanied me now for many years. Your film is a great help for an even better understanding. Namasté.

[sofiaakl]

You bring new meaning to the Tao. Thank you for sharing this. Truly beautiful

[paulaslatersthecreativeint]

Love this!! Have to watch it again though, just yo comprehend properly. thank you for putting out such awesome work, it is truly appreciated. Love and Light from South Africa!!!

[nowexist]

I am grateful for the fact that just discovered your channel through The Art of Effortless Living two days ago. And yes, it was the perfect timing as how the law of attraction usually works. I listened this video in this morning, what a great way to start a day! Listening your contents is joyful way to be in the moment especially when my mind is agitated. (: Also checked your website, judging by the quality of your videos I bet your books are as remarkable.
As a person born and grew up in far East I was not interested in Eastern philosophy for the first three decades of my life. But I found myself always captivated by the words from those who originally western born but obtained depth of both western and eastern philosophy/spirituality. To me their way of speeches are so effective, easier to digest and apply than those speakers/writers that are eastern born even though I don't doubt the eastern born also have good depth on both side of philosophies. I guess you are one of those exceptionally people have such depth in both way and know how to explain well.
Your contents are as listenable as Alan Watts' speech videos. I didn't expect to hear such words in Australian accent which is amusing and refreshing. :D

[ricardoerilla]

Thank you for your service to humanity

[lairx]

💜 Outstanding. One of your best productions so far. Thanks Jason. 🧡

[noself]

Your documentaries are some of the best on YouTube. Your documentaries get the message across well. Thanks for all of your work you put into these videos and sharing your wisdom. I have been a Taoist and Buddhist practitioner close to twenty years yet I still consider myself a beginner. Amituofo ☯️☸️☯️

[dieterr]

Love this part so much. After 40 years of practicing taiji, qigong, etc, it is such a pleasure. Zhuangzi is my favorite, and always considered him anarchist, like Kropotkin.