Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

TAOISM | The Philosophy Of Flow

Einzelgänger

7.1M views 7 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you hear the words “The Philosophy of Flow,” what do you think the video will be about?
What topics do you expect in a video called “TAOISM | The Philosophy Of Flow”?
Do you think “flow” is more about the mind, the body, or both? Why?

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Start With: Word Definition

Order: Alphabetical Random

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TAOISM | The Philosophy Of Flow

Introduction: Lao Tzu, wu wei, and flow (00:00 – 01:26)

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1. According to the introduction, wu wei can be translated as which idea?

“Constant effort”
“Strict rules”
“Non-action” / “effortless action”
“Perfect control”

2. What example does the speaker use to describe a practical sense of wu wei?

The state of flow called “the zone”
Memorizing a textbook
A legal debate
Building muscle through pain

3. When athletes are “in the zone,” what happens to their action?

They focus only on results and scores
They act with striving and constant worry
They move almost effortlessly through time and space
They stop moving completely

TAOISM | The Philosophy Of Flow

What is the Tao? Stillness of mind and stories of flow (01:26 – 05:26)

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1. What does the speaker say about answering the question “What is the Tao?”

It can be measured by the senses
It can be fully defined with careful logic
It is only a set of moral rules
It’s futile to try to answer completely

2. Which is mentioned as a clue for living in harmony with the Way?

Competing with others as much as possible
Avoiding any kind of stillness
Always increasing ambition
Curbing the senses and the cessation of striving

3. In the story about Cook Ting, what does Cook Ting say he cares about?

Winning a competition
The Way, which goes beyond skill
The sharpness of the knife only
Money and popularity

TAOISM | The Philosophy Of Flow

Gentleness, the river and water, letting go and the present moment (05:26 – 10:46)

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1. What does the speaker say we often mistake passivity for?

Courage
Kindness
Laziness
Wisdom

2. In the river comparison, what does “the path of least resistance” refer to?

Holding on to a branch and refusing to move
Flowing along with the current and aligning with the natural course
Trying to control the river completely
Swimming against the current to prove strength

3. According to the speaker, what is the only way to be completely in the present during flow?

Setting bigger goals
Thinking harder about the outcome
Comparing yourself to others
Letting go

TAOISM | The Philosophy Of Flow

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1. Which statement best matches the video’s explanation of wu wei?

Never taking action in any situation
Working harder and harder to force results
Effortless action: acting without striving and without friction
Doing whatever you want without any attention

2. How does the video describe the Tao?

A list of strict commandments
A scientific law that can be proven in a lab
A force beyond comprehension that cannot be perceived by the senses
A personal goal-setting strategy

3. What does the water metaphor mainly show in the video?

That emotions should be ignored
That being rigid is always safer
That the best approach is to compete and dominate
That softness and humility can overcome hardness

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

TAOISM | The Philosophy Of Flow

Have you ever experienced a “state of flow”? What activity were you doing, and what did it feel like?
The video says “passivity” and “laziness” are different. What is the difference in your opinion?
Do you agree that many problems “solve themselves”? Can you give a real example (or a counterexample)?
Which metaphor helps you more: life as a river, or water overcoming rock? Why?