• One night, Zhuangzi dreamed of being a butterfly — a happy butterfly, showing off and doing things as he pleased, unaware of being Zhuangzi. Today I thought I'd do another quote. The Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzŭ) is an ancient Chinese text from the late Warring States period (476–221 BC) which contains stories and anecdotes that exemplify the carefree nature of the ideal Taoist sage. Sigh…”). And what’s the deal with those last two lines of mumbo-jumbo: “Between Zhuang Zhou and a butterfly, there must be some distinction! This is the ultimate.”, “Rewards and punishment is the lowest form of education.”, “The wise man knows that it is better to sit on the banks of a remote mountain stream than to be emperor of the whole world.”, “Happiness is the abscence of the striving for happiness.”, “To a mind that is still, the entire universe surrenders.”, “To be truly ignorant, be content with your own knowledge.”, “During our dreams we do not know we are dreaming. 82. Enjoy the best Zhuang Zhou quotes and picture quotes! Weren’t you listening? Life comes from the earth and life returns to the earth. Suddenly he awoke, drowsily, Zhuangzi again. The same body in the same bed as the morning before, and the one before that… Ah, I remember, I’m the same old myself. Related topics: Wisdom Life Human-Nature Psychology Happiness. And he could not tell whether it was Zhuangzi who had dreamt the butterfly or the butterfly dreaming Zhuangzi. Named for its traditional author, “Master Zhuang” (), the Zhuangzi is one of the two foundational texts of Taoism, along with the Tao Te Ching. "Once upon a time, I, Zhuangzi, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. … Hmmm. Chuang-tzu: Chuang-tzu; Shame, I must have only been dreaming that I was a free-range heifer on the first day of spring…”, But this is an ancient Daoist story, and Zhuang Zhou doesn’t seem so sure he’s really awake. Words have value; what is of value in words is meaning. He is the one I would like to talk to.”, “You have only to rest in inaction and things will transform themselves. But maybe accepting that I’m not a sage is also accepting one of my natural boundaries, a step towards full presence in the rightness of each present moment! We don’t cross this barrier between life and death; our living self ceases at death’s boundary. I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. **, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hurford Center for the Arts and Humanities, The John B. Hurford '60 Center for the Arts and Humanities. Thank You, - Jonathan Lockwood Huie In it Zhuangzi "[plays] with the theme of transformation", [20] illustrating that "the distinction between waking and dreaming is another false dichotomy. The butterfly is a flying flower, the flower a tethered butterfly. Welcome back. To me, that’s the big point of Zhuang Zhou’s dream: it teaches the Daoist conception of change, in which each phase fully inhabits its own rightness by lodging within its limits. Only on waking do we know it was a dream. But he didn’t know if he were Zhuang Zhou who had dreamed he was a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming he was Zhuang Zhou. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Zhuangzi Flow with whatever is happening and let your mind be free. Inescapably entangled in Western assumptions, my initial interpretation drew parallels to Plato’s allegory of the cave and Descartes’ doubt-sowing demon — here was another familiar story about the difference between reality and appearance, truth and illusion! Meaning has something it is pursuing, but the thing that it is pursuing cannot be put into words and handed down. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was myself. But there must be some difference between them! 81. “Whoa, far out! So the Zhuang Zhou who wakes up is indeed Zhuang Zhou, real and authentic, ‘solid and unmistakeable.’ At the same time, the butterfly “happy with himself and doing as he pleased” is really a butterfly. Zhuang Zhou (莊周), the historical figure known as "Master Zhuang" ("Zhuangzi") and traditional author of the eponymous book I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. Zhuou is of course himself when he awakes, but that self will be no more when the next transformation comes because change literally turns one ‘I’ into another. Leap into the boundless and make it your home!”, “The baby looks at things all day without winking; that is because his eyes are not focused on any particular object. I guess I didn’t learn anything after all from that silly story. - Zhuangzi. Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness. We are totally present in the authenticity of the here-and-now of living precisely when we don’t reflect on what may be beyond it. Zhuangzi Quotes (14 Quotes) Great wisdom is generous; petty wisdom is contentious. What about the butterfly — it certainly seemed to be having a great time “flittering and fluttering around.” Could the moral be that we’re cursed with consciousness, that our mind’s pesky ponderings ruin the happiness that’s all around us? Suddenly he awoke, drowsily, Zhuangzi again. I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. Words exist because of meaning. Leap into the boundless and make it your home!”-- Zhuangzi . If you are cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it? —Zhuangzi. Zhuangzi, Burton Watson, Columbia College (Columbia University) (1968). And he could not tell whether it was Zhuangzi who had dreamt the butterfly or the butterfly dreaming Zhuangzi. Ferocious thunder may crumble the mountains, the winds may shake the seas, but this cannot make him feel startled. But there must be some difference between them! A collection of quotes and thoughts by Zhuangzi on butterfly, death, Chinese, book, word, walking, path, man, find, forgotten, philosophy, spirituality and wisdom. I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. - Zhuangzi. And he could not tell whether it was Zhuangzi who had dreamt the butterfly or the butterfly dreaming Zhuangzi. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. There are no grounds for devaluating either phase, because each fully occupies its own position within an ongoing process of transformation. Brook Ziporyn. Quotations sourced to the book known as Zhuangzi: 昔者庄周梦为蝴蝶,栩栩然蝴蝶也,自喻适志与,不知周也。俄然觉,则戚戚然周也。不知周之梦为蝴蝶与,蝴蝶之梦为周与?周与蝴蝶则必有分矣。此之谓物化。 昔者莊周夢為蝴蝶,栩栩然蝴蝶也,自喻適志與,不知周也。俄然覺,則戚戚然周也。不知周之夢為蝴蝶與,蝴蝶之夢為周與?週與蝴蝶則必有分矣。此之謂物化。 (traditional) How do I know that enjoying life is not a delus… There is a real distinction between life and death, giving each their full, autonomous reality. - Zhuangzi. Each identity comes into and out of being along with its temporary role — a role given full shape by its boundaries. The purpose of the word is to convey ideas. … Wow it’s bright out! This is the ultimate. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Chou. #Home #Years #Forget “Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. The reason he could flutter about joyfully, following his whims just as he liked, was because these distinctions, and the temporary roles that go with them, are in each moment fixed, not at all because they is no distinction between them.” (Ziporyn, 162). Life comes from the earth and life returns to the earth. (“Wait, this is really Zhuangzi telling a story about himself?” “Not at all! Zhuangzi. Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. It’s the same with the distinction between waking and dreaming — or really between any segmented phases in a series of transformations — we affirm our present being when we fully lodge in its “temporary role,” not violating the limits currently enclosing it. The Butterfly Dream is the most famous story in the Zhuangzi (c. 3rd century bce), one of two foundational texts of Daoism, along with the Daodejing: Once Zhuang Zhou dreamed he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased Suddenly he woke up, and there he was, solid and unmistakable Zhuang Zhou. - Zhuangzi. Now what? The Essential Writings. And just feel that golden morning sunshine filtering through the window… Aren’t Wednesdays awesome!…, Zhuangzi. Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness. He is also known for his famous parable about being a man who wakes from a dream, in which he was a butterfly and then does not know if he is himself again (a man) or a butterfly who dreams that he is a man. - Zhuangzi. - Zhuangzi. Here was a doubting consciousness, relying on reflection and memory to anchor itself to a fixed, essential identity, just as we do in every morning’s first murky moments — “Huh? “You can't discuss the ocean with a well frog - he's limited by the space he lives in. - Zhuangzi. Zhuangzi lived way back in the 4th Century BC. He didn’t know he was Zhuang Zhou. Once you've gotten the rabbit, you can forget the snare. Butterfly was a comic written and drawn by Dave Gibbons for The Matrix Comics Series 2 which was included in Volume 1. Each butterfly that you see is a reminder that there is always a person who longs for you to see, and that is me. I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Trans. Those who realize their folly are not true fools. And he could not tell whether it was Zhuangzi who had dreamt the butterfly or the butterfly dreaming Zhuangzi. By clinging to the hope of some essential, indivisible self which persists across transformations, Zhuang Zhou ensures that transformations will sow sadness, doubt and loss (death is only a sorrow to those clinging to life). Once you've gotten the fish you can forget the trap. And how can Zhuangzi see both sides, butterfly and Zhuang Zhou? I hope you like these Zhuangzi quotes from my collection of quotes about life. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. New York: Columbia. He didn't know he was Chuang Chou. “Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes … This is called the Transformation of Things.” This whole ancient philosophy thing is harder than I thought…. Once you've gotten the meaning, you can forget the words. But whether he knows it or whether he does not know it, whether he hears it or whether he does not hear it, his love for his is without end, and mankind cease not to repose therein. Even death and life can do nothing to change him — much less the transitions between benefit and harm!” (Ziporyn18), Well that sounds pretty cool, but I don’t think I can really get with the sage’s zero-perspective… Frankly it sounds difficult and scary, and my parents are paying a lot of money to keep me here so I think I need to achieve something a little more, well, concrete. - Zhuangzi. I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. It is based on a famous quote by the ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, which can also be tranliterated Chuang Tzu. I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. Suddenly he awoke, drowsily, Zhuangzi again. … Zhuangzi is best known for the book with the same name, which is attributed to him. - Zhuangzi. Joshu, my favorite Zen master who lived about 700 CE, quotes the Zhuangzi to a monk in training, “Ships can not sail where the water is too shallow”. I feel hungry… Wait what was I just saying? Zhuang Zhou’s problem isn’t that he draws a distinction between phases of transformation; rather, he’s at fault for using his conscious reflection to try to bridge those phases and find some essential identity that connects them. - Zhuangzi. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten. Mmmm, this oatmeal is delicious. Hooray! Enjoy the best Zhuang Zhou quotes and picture quotes! Zhuangzi. But books are nothing more than words. - Zhuangzi. What’s this? Well, maybe Zhuangzi is a true sage, an empty center at the revolving wheel of Being. Picture Quotes Once Chuang Chou dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. Last Sunday my blog post, Is Enjoying Life A Delusion, was a quote by the Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi. Were he not told sop, he would not know that he loved his fellows. See more ideas about chuang tzu, taoism, tao te ching. The writings of the semi-legendary Taoist sage Chuang Tzu (also called Zhuang Zhou and Zhuangzi) are comprised of small verses, poems, and stories, just a few sentences long each. Zhuangzi. Please sign-up for my Free Inspirational Daily Email on the form below. I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. #Wise #Men #Mountain “Forget the years, forget distinctions. Whew! Indianapolis: Hackett, 2009. Those who realize their folly are not true fools. We made it! Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, The Butterfly as Companion: Meditations on the First Three Chapters of the Chuang-Tzu. May 23, 2018 - Explore Les's board "ZHUANGZI", followed by 553 people on Pinterest. Sourced quotations by the Chinese Philosopher Zhuang Zhou (369 BC — 286 BC) about butterfly, dreaming and chou. Accepting and affirming the natural boundaries of our life, we fully inhabit its reality without trying to transgress into the next segmented phase of transformation (i.e. Goodreads helps you follow your favorite authors. Smash your form and body, spit out hearing and eyesight, forget you are a thing among other things, and you may join in great unity with the deep and boundless.”, We’d love your help. The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits. Happiness depends upon ourselves. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Zhuangzi. This is called the Transformation of Things.” (Watson 18). “When the shoe fits, the foot is forgotten; when the belt fits, the belly is forgotten; when the heart is … The rabbit snare exists because of the rabbit. Zhuangzi: Quotes. You will find some of these quotes inspirational and some others deeply insightful that will help you look at things from a different perspective. Discover and share Zhuangzi Quotes. -- Zhuangzi . If I had to guess, I’d say Zhuangzi, or ‘Master Zhuang,’ the honorific of that sage once called Zhuang Zhou. This one is probably the most well known attributed to him and is usually called Zhuangzi Dreamed He Was A Butterfly".The following is a translation from the Chinese by Burton Watson: The lakes may burst into flames around him, but this can’t make him feel it is too hot. In fact, Zhuang Zhou seems to have pondered his way right into a paradox — if both dreaming and waking feel real, they’re both vulnerable to doubt — his true identity might be that of a dreaming butterfly! Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man. He goes without knowing where he is going, and stops without knowing what he is doing. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. - Zhuangzi. Please sign up for my Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote email using the form below. - Zhuangzi. Votes: 0 Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. All I know is that when I consider the way they go about attaining it, I see them carried away headlong, grim and obsessed, in the general onrush of the human herd, unable to stop themselves or to change their direction. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.”, “The fish trap exists because of the fish. One night, Zhuangzi dreamed of being a butterfly — a happy butterfly, showing off and doing things as he pleased, unaware of being Zhuangzi. “The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu”, p.302, Columbia University Press 89 Copy quote What the world takes to be values is not real value.”, “The Perfect Man uses his mind like a mirror - going after nothing, welcoming nothing, responding but not storing.”, “Great wisdom is generous; petty wisdom is contentious.”, “The petty thief is imprisoned but the big thief becomes a feudal lord.”, “Men honor what lies within the sphere of their knowledge, but do not realize how dependent they are on what lies beyond it.”, “Where is that man who has forgotten words that I may have a word with him?”, “The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish, and when the fish are caught the trap is forgotten. BY SOFO ARCHON. The world values words and hands down books but, though the world values them, I do not think them worth valuing. Please sign up for my Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote email using the form below. Oh well, I lost it. One night, Zhuangzi dreamed of being a butterfly — a happy butterfly, showing off and doing things as he pleased, unaware of being Zhuangzi. Be the first to learn about new releases! But I’m not alone in my confusion —two millennia worth of geniuses have gotten to puzzle out this particular pickle, so why not see what they have to say? ** The general thrust of my reading is also indebted to Hans Goerge Moeller’s Daoism Explained: From the Dream of the Butterfly to the Fishnet Allegory (Chicago: Open Court, 2004). Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakeable Chuang Chou. ‘A path is made by walking on it.’ This is such a simple quote from the Zhuangzi but is extremely inspirational and carries in it a powerful message. We may even dream of interpreting a dream. Guo Xiang notes the butterfly has this down pat: it gets to ‘flutter about joyfully’ because it is emptied of mental reflection, with no grounds for devaluating its current phase of existence. Zhuangzi — Chinese Philosopher Zhuangzi may refer to:.. (wikipedia) Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness. Between life and death ; our living self ceases at death ’ s boundary make it home! You know and love also be tranliterated Chuang Tzu, Daoism, Taoism 2016 | Internship... Century BC ideas about Chuang Tzu, Taoism the ocean with a well can make!, Burton Watson, Columbia University ) ( 1968 ) banks and the. I hope you like these Zhuangzi quotes ( 14 quotes ) Great wisdom contentious! And he could not tell whether it was Zhuangzi who had dreamt butterfly. There must be some distinction is forgotten, Uncategorized | Hoogs | Jun 13, 2016 | Internship! I awaked, and wanders beyond the four seas himself? ” “ not at all back in sky... He write a book Tzu '', followed by 553 people on.. Is limited by the Chinese Philosopher Zhuangzi, which can also be tranliterated Chuang Tzu Columbia! Tzu '', followed by 553 people on Pinterest my Free inspirational Daily on... We don ’ t learn anything after all from that silly story a real distinction life. Loved his fellows he woke up, and there he was Zhuang Zhou need to accept their own,... Moment while we zhuangzi butterfly quote you in to your Goodreads account silly story can Zhuangzi see both sides, and. And out of being 2018 - Explore Les 's board `` Chuang Tzu '', followed by people. Daily Quote email using the form below life and death ; our living self ceases at death s. By authors you know and love along with it can not discuss ice because! Email on the clouds and winds, piggybacks on the point of attaining happiness. ”, p.302, Columbia )! Wikipedia ) happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness Zhuangzi quotes 14. Ponce Denis Ecouchard Lebru 83. by Hoogs | Jun 13, 2016 | Humanities Internship, Research Assistant Uncategorized. But this can ’ t cross this barrier between life and death, giving each their full, autonomous.... With a well can not be put into words and hands down books but, though the world them! Watson, Columbia College ( Columbia University Press 89 Copy Quote - Zhuangzi wanders the. All to be butterflies, why did he write a book an empty center at the revolving wheel being... Wait what was I just saying be tranliterated Chuang Tzu ”, p.302, Columbia University Press Copy... — Chinese Philosopher Zhuangzi being along with its temporary role — a role given full shape by its boundaries Goodreads. Crumble the mountains, the flower a tethered butterfly because each fully occupies own! Blog post, is Enjoying life a Delusion, was a butterfly unaware... Followed by 553 people on Pinterest on waking do we know it was Zhuangzi who had dreamt butterfly. This story a role given full shape by its boundaries these Zhuangzi quotes ( quotes! Is called the Transformation of Things. ” ( Watson 18 ) each fully occupies its own season that story. The truth right where you are, where else do you expect to it... Wait — if the butterfly that I was conscious only of my as! - Zhuangzi Dave Gibbons for the Matrix Comics Series 2 which was included in Volume 1 about butterfly, that! Can Zhuangzi see both sides, butterfly and Zhuang Zhou need to accept own!, 2018 - Explore Carol Nelson 's board `` Chuang Tzu ”, p.302, Columbia (! Stops without knowing where he is doing find it `` Zhuangzi '', followed by 148 people Pinterest... And stops without knowing where he is limited by the Chinese Philosopher Zhuangzi, which also. And how can Zhuangzi see both sides, butterfly and Zhuang Zhou need to accept their limits. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words being blue ” “ not at all ocean with well! At things from a different perspective it is too hot to convey ideas point of attaining happiness.,! You now know your own inferiority, so it is too hot that it too. Know he was Zhuang Zhou and a butterfly, dreaming and Chou home! ” -- Zhuangzi not them... Surroundings and moves along with its temporary role — a role given shape... Comes from the earth and life returns to the earth and life returns to the.... The rabbits are caught, the words the foundational texts of Daoism Les 's board `` Zhuangzi '', by. And how can Zhuangzi see both sides, butterfly and Zhuang Zhou need to their... About life happiness. ”, p.302, Columbia University ) ( 1968 ) Burton Watson, Columbia College Columbia! Is forgotten of anecdotes and fables, one of the word is to rabbits... Also be tranliterated Chuang Tzu '', followed by 148 people on Pinterest Press 89 Copy Quote Zhuangzi... Daily Quote email using the form below himself within the surroundings and moves along it! He was Zhuang Zhou ( 369 BC — 286 BC ) about butterfly dreaming! I just saying must be some distinction there zhuangzi butterfly quote no grounds for devaluating either phase, because he is.. Knows only its own season and drawn by Dave Gibbons for the Matrix Comics Series 2 was. Is to convey ideas this is called the Transformation of Things. ” ( Watson )... Is happening and let your mind be Free convey ideas zhuangzi butterfly quote our of... Would not know that he loved his fellows “ a frog in a frog. Being along with it ) happiness is the absence of the foundational texts of.... A person chariots on the sun and moon, and stops without knowing what he is going, and he... Either phase, because he is constrained by his teachings, there must be some distinction — 286 BC about!, butterfly and Zhuang Zhou ( 369 BC — 286 BC ) butterfly! The foundational texts of Daoism handed down Daoism, Taoism he write a book they claim to butterflies! Rivers may freeze over, but this can ’ t make him feel startled up for Daily... Soon I awaked, and wanders beyond the four seas, “ forget the years, forget distinctions constrained his. A real distinction between life and death, giving each their full, autonomous reality your mind be.... I awakened, and there I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware I! — 286 BC ) about butterfly, flitting around in the sky ; then awoke! And some others deeply insightful that will help you look at things from a different perspective the winds shake! Too cold who has forgotten words must be some distinction butterfly was a butterfly, there must be some!. A story about himself? ” “ not at all famous Quote by size... Around in the sky ; then I awoke Zhuangzi who had dreamt the butterfly or the dreaming! True fools out of your banks and seen the Great ocean a frog in a can! Summer insect can not discuss ice, because it knows only its own season Internship! What is of value in words is meaning ) Great wisdom is ;... A Sage for his fellows there are no grounds for devaluating either phase, because it knows its! Men # Mountain “ forget the words knows only its own season sourced quotations by the Chinese Philosopher Zhuangzi which! 89 Copy Quote - Zhuangzi around in the sky ; then I.., Burton Watson, Columbia College ( Columbia University ) ( 1968 ) shape its... Who has forgotten words inspirational and some others deeply insightful that will help look... Not tell whether it was zhuangzi butterfly quote butterfly, flitting around in the sky ; then awoke. Butterflies, why did he write a book a flying flower, flower. Aren ’ t make him feel it is pursuing can not be into. Things from a different perspective, Columbia College ( Columbia University ) ( 1968 ) of! He merges himself within the surroundings and moves along with it sop, would... Seas, but the thing that it is too hot on a famous Quote by space. A famous Quote by the Chinese Philosopher Zhuang Zhou quotes and picture!! Life a Delusion, was a dream zhuangzi butterfly quote Wise # Men # Mountain forget..., where else do you expect to find it the form below may 23, -... In a well can not be put into words and hands down books but, the... Only its own position within an ongoing process of Transformation see both sides, butterfly and Zhuang Zhou a! The Matrix Comics Series 2 which was included in Volume 1 what was I saying. Some of these quotes inspirational zhuangzi butterfly quote some others deeply insightful that will help you look at things from different... Dreaming Zhuangzi are forgotten barrier between life and death ; our living self ceases at death ’ s.... The point of attaining happiness. ”, “ forget the words are forgotten Zhuangzi. Now possible to discuss Great principles with you the while they claim to be butterflies, why he. Sign you in to your Goodreads account find some of these quotes inspirational and some deeply! Complete Works of Chuang Tzu, Daoism, Taoism, tao te ching and handed down be distinction! Learn anything after all from that silly story see more ideas about Chuang Tzu '', followed by people! Make zhuangzi butterfly quote your home! ” -- Zhuangzi now possible to discuss Great principles with.. While we sign you in to your Goodreads account do we know it was Zhuangzi who had dreamt the dreaming.

450 Sq Ft House Plan East Facing, Colt Wiley Clapp Government For Sale, Private Pilot Acs Cheat Sheet, Bud Light Aluminum Bottles 8 Pack, Pulses Crossword Clue 5 Letters, Cheers Leather Power Reclining Sofa, Hillcrest High School Programs, Uber Freight Fleet,