Edward Slingerland, PhD - The Science of Spontaneity
Edward Slingerland, PhD, philosopher and sinologist, discusses Wu Wei, the ancient concept of “effortless action” on The FitMind Podcast episode 86.
You can also listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or any other major podcast platform. Here it is in video format, if you’d prefer:
Episode Overview
Edward Slingerland, PhD, is a Professor of Philosophy and Associate Member in the Asian Studies and Psychology Departments at the University of British Columbia. He's an expert on the cognitive science of ancient philosophies.
On this episode, we discuss the science of ancient concepts like Wu Wei (”effortless action”), hot vs cold cognition, ways to alter consciousness, the paradox of trying not to try, and much more.
Hope you enjoy!
P.S. — If you’re serious about starting or deepening your meditation practice, check out the FitMind meditation app.
Edward Slingerland, PhD Bio
Dr. Slingerland holds degrees from Princeton, Stanford, and UC Berkeley. He is the author of several books, including Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science and the Power of Spontaneity. He's also Director of the Database of Religious History, an online, quantitative and qualitative encyclopedia of religious cultural history.
Show Notes
0:00 | Intro to Edward Slingerland, PhD
1:39 | Wu Wei & Flow State
9:34 | Hot vs. Cold Cognition
13:45 | How to Get into State of Wu Wei
17:35 | When to Not Use Wu Wei
19:30 | Paradox of Trying Not to Try
26:40 | Wu Wei in Daily Life
30:10 | Microdosing Psychedelics
32:28 | Alcohol and Ways to Alter Consciousness
38:06 | How Much Effort is Needed to Become Effortless?
40:00 | Rapid Fire Questions