“Autumn Floods” (秋水 Qiu Shui) is one of my favorite chapters in the Zhuangzi, offering several profound meditations on perspective, relativity, and the nature of wisdom through vivid allegories and thought-provoking dialogues.
In this video, I read through and offer commentary on “Autumn Floods” using my own translation, (which you can find here). The central theme revolves around the relativity of knowledge and experience, challenging our preconceptions about establishing a fixed standard for concepts like size, importance, and understanding. Through the conversation between the River Lord and the North Sea, the text invites us to broaden our perspectives and embrace the inconstant and interconnected nature of reality.
Whether you’re a seasoned student of Chinese philosophy or simply curious about alternative ways of perceiving the world, this video offers a comprehensive read-through, with commentary, in accessible language. Join us as we unpack the subtle wisdom of this ancient Chinese text and explore how its insights can help us navigate the complexities of modern life with greater flexibility, humility, and harmony.
Analyses by Frank Saunders Jr 
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