Discipline, Routine and Effort from Taoist Perspective? (experience, taoism)

[Scarlett Wampus]

The role of discipline, routine and effort regarding Taoism has been on my mind recently.

Spontaneity, humility, openness, gentleness, authenticity, adaptability, detachment; these are all rather important elements of Taoist practice. It would seem contradictory to go about it in a forced artificial way, but at the same time, some sort of disciplined routine requiring effort seems to be rather vital in doing away with harmful habits of mind & body and enabling the very spontaneity and freedom that is needed for quintessential 'flow'.

Whats been your experience? Your thoughts?

[ChrisP]

Something I've thought about a lot too in recent times.

Discipline in one form or another breeds action without thought, like when you're buttering your bread... who actually pays attention to the bread they're buttering or the keys they're hitting as they touch-type. The action comes effortlessly, following the thoughtless intent...

So I guess it teaches thoughtless intent. I'm not a huge fan of some of the Chuang Tzu stories for their seemingly... futile nature in places. Action comes from intent, even in Taoism. The trick is not to notice the intent and let it guide you without judgement.

[Scarlett Wampus]

Lately life events have given me a fresh perspective on this. The importance of those things mentioned, well, their importance is changable. Its that simple. Right now a strict routine and a disciplined edge are important to me, so I've taken to them naturally. This isn't according to some over-riding principle but because they are needed. It would be going against the Tao not to adapt things as and when they are required.

This has confused me for years but really its very simple.