Asian Phil Almost All Asian Term Paper

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The Taoist concept of wu wei refers to "non-action." Misunderstood as a proposal for inertia or inaction, wu wei means letting go. Instead of interfering or trying to control external situations or people, I can use the principle of wu wei to allow genuinely wise action take place. A combination of Beginner's Mind and wu wei permit me to take my ego out of my interpersonal relationships. I greet life on life's terms rather than complaining.

Both Taoism and Buddhism discourage dualistic thinking, even though the latter introduces the concepts of yin and yang. Yin and yang are principles that illustrate flux, flow, and balance: not duality. Whereas Christianity and other Western religions promote concepts of Heaven and Hell, Eastern traditions view the world more like the breath. in-breath and out-breath are part of the same singular action of breathing.

The Hindu-derived practice of yoga also emphasizes the power of the breath to illustrate the unity of reality.
Pranayama, or breath control, teaches mental patience. Introducing more oxygen to the body and regulating the breath can have positive psychological impacts on practitioners. Moreover, pranayama allows the practitioner to directly experience oneness and peace. Through the effort it takes to sit still and just focus on the breath, pranayama helps reduce the tendency to view the world in terms of right/wrong, good/bad and other dualities. Similarly, yoga postures or asana demand immense effort on the part of the practitioner. The act of asana helps the individual transcend a mind cluttered with thoughts about work or interpersonal conflict. Placing the body in a unique posture awakens the mind to sensory experiences that would be missed otherwise. Much like the Beginner's Mind, yoga helps an individual see the world with new eyes......

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