Trying Not to Try | Ted Slingerland | Talks at Google

TL;DR

The concept of "wu-wei" teaches us that sometimes the best way to achieve success is by letting go of conscious effort and embracing spontaneity.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER: Today we're extremely thrilled to have Ted Slingerland here. He's a professor, a member of the faculty at the University of British Columbia up in Vancouver. And his specialty is a study of philosophy and Chinese thought. He's a professor of East Asian Studies and he also held a fellowship with the Centers for the Advanced ... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Conscious effort can sometimes be counterproductive, hindering success in certain situations.
• 🍗 The mind ball paradox highlights the tension between trying not to try and the need for relaxation in achieving success.
• ❓ Early Chinese philosophies, such as Taoism and Confucianism, provide insights on the importance of spontaneity, trust, and embodied cognition.
• 😅 It is crucial to strike a balance between effort and relaxation, using both system one (hot cognition) and system two (cold cognition) appropriately.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the mind ball paradox?

The mind ball paradox refers to the difficulty of trying not to try, as seen in a game where players must relax to exert force on a ball. The more effort one puts in, the less successful they become.

Q: How does wu-wei relate to spontaneity and effort?

Wu-wei is the concept of effortless action. It involves being absorbed in something larger than oneself, leading to spontaneous success. It helps individuals achieve a flow state and emanate charisma or de.

Q: How can wu-wei be applied in everyday life?

Wu-wei can be practiced by finding activities or situations that allow for absorption in something meaningful and enjoyable. It involves cultivating bodily emotions, trusting intuition, and embracing spontaneity.

Q: Does technology hinder or help in achieving wu-wei?

Technology can hinder wu-wei by creating constant distractions and a lack of downtime. However, it can also be used to create more space for creativity and efficiency, as long as individuals understand the importance of unplugging and allowing for unstructured time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Trying Not to Try" explores the paradox of how conscious effort can hinder success in certain situations.

• The mind ball game, where players must relax to win, illustrates the struggle of trying to not try.

• This tension between effort and relaxation is experienced by athletes, performers, and individuals in daily life.