Yesterday I got a tattoo. The tattoo depicts Sisyphus - a symbol of the absurd - juggling the koi of the Yin and the Yang - a concept with its roots in the philosophy of Taoism. It's been said to me that Absurdism and Taoism are schools of thought that don't usually go together. But in my mind the connection is clear. Let me try articulate how these two, seemingly different, philosophies come together in the labyrinth of my thoughts.
I've written about Yin and Yang previously, and its meaning is relatively clear - if not over-simplified - to most people. Everything is a balance wherin opposing forces are not in conflict; but, rather, depend on one another to form part of a more holistic whole. In Taoism, this is fundamental to the "Tao", or "way", in that living in accordance with the Tao entails living in harmony with the natural balance of the Universe. In other words, not forcing one way, or another, but flowing. Because, by expressing no preference for any specific path, you awaken to the fact that your will is not seperate from that which is around you - it is one with it...both affecting it, and part of it.
However, if living in harmony with the natural balance of everything requires the removal of personal preference, then it requires letting go of action all together. Because as long as we take action, we make decisions which, by definition, require choosing one thing over another. As an unfortunate consequence, I don't think we can ever truly view everything as equal. So long as we are bound by our current reality - our physical body, space, and the linear nature of time - we are constantly taking action, which means we continue to make preferential decisions. Even Taoism itself prescribes living in accordance with the "Tao"; hence, expressing preference for it over other ways of living.
Taoism does address this need for action. Stating that balance is not a stagnant state but a dynamic flow of intent. Therefore, action is a prerequisite to the natural order of things. But, rather than take action with a sense of overeagerness, Taoism prescribes "Wu Wei", which signifies making decisions of an unobstructive, non-forceful nature. Now, to me, the concept of "Wu Wei" is arbitrary. It's just one more preferential expression about how to live life. That is not to go against the idea that everything is in perfect harmony. In fact, it is to say that I think the balance of all things exists, regardless of the forcefulness of one's decisions. It is just to highlight that, with the limitations of our perspective - built up throughout life - we cannot see the balance. We can only ever see the side that we favor.
And this is where Absurdism comes into play. The idea of the absurd, contrived by Albert Camus, pertains that life is - from our perspective - definitively meaningless, but that one should, absurdly, still embark upon living it with hope and vigour. In the same way, our actions have no effect on the absolute harmony that exists. But, absurdly, it is still essential that we take action. If you think about it, it's a deeply enlightening concept. You can do anything - take any action, or inaction - and the universe will remain in perfect balance; but, nevertheless, your decision - or indecision - is vital for that balance to exist. And so, without trying, you become the key ingredient to universal harmony, even though you'll never know it. Literally, an Absurd Balance.
So enjoy juggling universal harmony you living force of nature ;-) Bye now.
"Allow your life to unfold naturally. Know that it too is a vessel of perfection."
- Lao Tzu