Taoism
What: A Curious Soul Philosophy workshop
Where: Online via Zoom
When: 3 Saturdays, new dates TBA
What Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Workshop Description:
Taoism is the ancient Chinese study of the Tao or “the way.” In this modern world full of machinery, digital overload, consumer culture, and frantic schedules, many of us can feel like we are constantly swimming upstream. Taoism is the ultimate philosophy of letting go and getting into the flow. The Taoist term wu wei means “doing without doing” – acting so that your actions feel effortless and natural, like a boat floating gently downstream. It teaches the value of simplicity, receptivity, and the wisdom of the natural world.
In this workshop, we’ll discuss some of the basic ideas in Taoism and then we’ll read and discuss the entirety of the Tao Te Ching. Part poetry, part philosophical treatise, this Taoist classic is a text full of sage teachings that you can read again and again. We’ll work together to interpret the sometimes enigmatic and paradoxical verses to reveal the ancient wisdom hidden within.
About Philosophy Workshops
Philosophy Workshops emphasize discussion, life experience, and practical application. They are led by philosophy professors committed to accessible language and open conversation. No prior philosophical training is necessary . . . just an open mind, a respectful approach to others, and a sense of humor!
About Your Workshop Leader:
Curious Soul is thrilled to welcome Danielle LaSusa as our guest leader for the Buddhism workshop!
Danielle LaSusa, PhD is a Philosophical Coach and Consultant, helping individuals and organizations to think clearly, choose wisely, and live purposefully. She is the co-creator of Think Hard podcast, which brings philosophical conversation to everyday issues in culture, politics, art, and society. Danielle also teaches philosophy at Portland Community College in Portland, OR. In addition to philosophy, she loves dancing, cooking, and hiking with her husband and two-year-old daughter.
The Theory and the Lab:
There are two portions of this discussion-based workshop: 1) the Theory, and 2) the Lab.
In the Theory portion of the workshop (the first half of each session) we’ll work to understand key concepts from our reading for the day and from supplementary mini-lectures given by the workshop leader. In the Lab portion of the workshop (the second half) we will reflect on the ways in which the theory applies to our own personal and political struggles. We will devise “experiments” for putting key concepts into practice in our lives, and we will discuss with each other how our experiments work out.
Book to Purchase: You should have a copy of the Tao Te Ching. There are many different translations, and they are often wildly different from one another. I recommend Stephen Mitchell’s translation, as it tends to be more accessible than others. However, if you already have a copy that you prefer, you’re welcome to use it and come ready to compare translations. Be sure to order your book early to account for delivery time.
Calendar:
Week 1: Excerpt from Patrick Bresnan’s Awakenings (pdf provided).
The first week, we’ll learn a little bit about the historical context of Taoism, and we’ll discuss the basic concepts, including the Tao, te, and wu wei.
Week 2: Tao Te Ching, Verses 1-40
Week 3: Tao Te Ching, Verses 41-81
Preparation:
For each meeting, participants should read the selection we’ll be discussing in advance, consider some questions Danielle offers to help us focus and dig into our conversation, and come with some marked passages they’d like to talk about.
Cost per person: $200 (for three 2-hour philosophy sessions)
- The workshop has limited space. Register today to save yourself a spot!
- Deadline to register: TBA
- Register by clicking the button below and following instructions to use PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, PayPal still allows you to pay using a credit card.
Registration is now closed.