Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity Paperback – Big Book, 3 March 2015

If u have heard of "Flow " and are curious about it. Then this book can explain more about Flow taking a solid foundation of Lao Tzu theory. One must read this book to declutter and detox with hurries and worries slow down and still win the race 🏇...

A small, but important note - the extemporaneous contemplation of what happens inside a pianist’s head is WRONG! As a professional pianist, I can guarantee And support with research, that no professional artist worth their mettle is thinking about dinner when they’re performing. Although some pianists of old might have told anecdotes about what they thought of during their performances, I promise it was only to keep you entertained and impressed. The internal cognitive AND physical processes involved in playing the piano are complex and all encompassing; in turn - they do Not allow even the most prodigious of us to think about dinner while we play…. I realize that perhaps listeners Love the thought of virtuoso pianists being so at ease with their talent, that they no longer have to make any effort in their performances and can sit back and contemplate their next meal…. Alas, that’s a lie…. :)

After reading this on my Kindle I bought the real book and started at once to read it a second time. I find myself relating its ideas to real-life situations, like teaching music and being a live musician. It helps me explain my odd personal mix of ambition-less ambition. Never boring or difficult to understand, Slingerland is often funny and playful even as he discusses profound ideas.

This book lays out the essence of Eastern philosophical thought in very accessible language. The focus is on Warring States China, approximately 700-300 BCE. The author relates various philosophic principles to modern studies in psychology, social psychology, neurobiology and evolutionary biology. Applications include dating, politics, sports performance, music, family life, body language interpretation and many aspect of relationships. I expected learning about ancient Chinese philosophy might have the flavor of stilted academic lectures. Instead I found insights into why our political and social systems are so difficult to navigate. And there are philosophic, psychologic and physiologic bases for why you can't relax when the dentist says "relax,' or why thinking about a golf swing can ruin it or why preachers so often sound phony. Tension created by the paradox lurking deep inside each school of thought becomes the reason why finding answers to life's most basic questions is elusive.Slingerland's gift to the reader is that he uses his ability to translate and interpret ancient Chinese in order to share the common threads of various philosophical schools of thought and make them relevant to today's major issues and challenges.Slingerland's gift to the reader is that he uses his ability to translate and interpret ancient Chinese texts and then shares the common threads of various schools of thought (most of which evolved during the Warring States time period) and makes them relevant to the issues of today.

So I got this book to help me understand my kung fu more. My whole life I’ve had different people tell me different things and different views on what to believe. How to do this and how to do that; and when I read this book it changed my life. My wing chun and everything else I practice is improved and whole perception of reality is at a better understanding. From this book I’ve reread a number of others and it’s opened my eyes again and again to new understandings. I’m truly grateful for the research and hard work into this book and from it I plan to help as many people as I can not just in my lineage but also outside of my culture as well. If you have a hard time understanding or doing anything I recommend this book.