wei wu wei (terrence gray) - the effortless way
TRANSCRIPT
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Ivan Frimmel presents
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Wei Wu Wei (Terrence Gray) – The Effortless Nondual Way
(1895 – 1986)
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His Biography (1)
Wei Wu Wei, born Terence Gray in 1895 into a well-Wei Wu Wei, born Terence Gray in 1895 into a well-established Irish family, was raised on an estate outside established Irish family, was raised on an estate outside Cambridge, England, and received a thorough education, Cambridge, England, and received a thorough education, including studies at Oxford University. including studies at Oxford University.
Early in life he pursued an interest in Egyptology which Early in life he pursued an interest in Egyptology which culminated in the publication of two books on ancient culminated in the publication of two books on ancient Egyptian history and culture in 1923. Egyptian history and culture in 1923.
This was followed by a period of involvement in the arts in This was followed by a period of involvement in the arts in Britain in the 20's and 30's as a theorist, theatrical producer, Britain in the 20's and 30's as a theorist, theatrical producer, creator of radical 'dance-dramas', publisher of several creator of radical 'dance-dramas', publisher of several related magazines and author of two related books. related magazines and author of two related books.
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His Biography (2) The identity of The identity of Wei Wu WeiWei Wu Wei was not revealed at the time of the publication of was not revealed at the time of the publication of
his first book in 1958, at the age of 63, nor was he "known" outside of a his first book in 1958, at the age of 63, nor was he "known" outside of a certain circle of a select few, as either Wei Wu Wei OR as Terence Gray. He certain circle of a select few, as either Wei Wu Wei OR as Terence Gray. He postioned himself to remain anonymous and it was only after his death that his postioned himself to remain anonymous and it was only after his death that his true identity became known to a more general spiritual audience. true identity became known to a more general spiritual audience.
The 16 years following the publication of his first book saw the appearance of The 16 years following the publication of his first book saw the appearance of seven subsequent books, including his final work under the further pseudonym seven subsequent books, including his final work under the further pseudonym 'O.O.O.' in 1974.'O.O.O.' in 1974.
It is apparent from his writings that Wei Wu Wei had studied in some depth It is apparent from his writings that Wei Wu Wei had studied in some depth
both Eastern and Western philosophy and metaphysics, as well as the more both Eastern and Western philosophy and metaphysics, as well as the more esoteric teachings of all the great religions. It can also be understood from the esoteric teachings of all the great religions. It can also be understood from the writings that he regarded himself as merely one of many seeking so-called writings that he regarded himself as merely one of many seeking so-called 'liberation', the works themselves being seen in part, as a record of his quest. 'liberation', the works themselves being seen in part, as a record of his quest.
During that quest he is known to have met many spiritual luminaries including During that quest he is known to have met many spiritual luminaries including the Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi, Lama Anagarika Govinda, Dr. Hubert the Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi, Lama Anagarika Govinda, Dr. Hubert Benoit, Douglas Harding, Robert Linssen, Arthur Osborne, Robert Powell, Benoit, Douglas Harding, Robert Linssen, Arthur Osborne, Robert Powell, Albert Sorensen (also known as Shunyata), and Dr D.T. Suzuki. Albert Sorensen (also known as Shunyata), and Dr D.T. Suzuki.
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His Biography (3) Somewhere along the way Gray exhausted his Somewhere along the way Gray exhausted his
interest in the avant garde theater and to a large interest in the avant garde theater and to a large extent turned his thoughts towards philosophy and extent turned his thoughts towards philosophy and metaphysics. This led to a period of travel metaphysics. This led to a period of travel throughout Asia, including time spent at the throughout Asia, including time spent at the Ramana Ashram, located along the base of the Ramana Ashram, located along the base of the holy mountain, Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai, in holy mountain, Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai, in Southern India. Southern India.
He died in 1986, at 91.He died in 1986, at 91.
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His Quotes (1)
It is less what one is that should matter, than what one is It is less what one is that should matter, than what one is not.not.
The qualities we possess should never be a matter for The qualities we possess should never be a matter for satisfaction, but the qualities we have discarded. satisfaction, but the qualities we have discarded.
It is not for us to search but to remain still, to achieve It is not for us to search but to remain still, to achieve Immobility not Action.Immobility not Action.
There is no becoming. ALL IS.There is no becoming. ALL IS.
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His Quotes (2) The Saint is a man who disciplines his ego. The Sage is a The Saint is a man who disciplines his ego. The Sage is a
man who rids himself of his ego. man who rids himself of his ego.
It is only the artificial ego that suffers. The man who has It is only the artificial ego that suffers. The man who has transcended his false 'me' no longer identifies with his transcended his false 'me' no longer identifies with his suffering. suffering.
We ourselves are not an illusory part of Reality; rather are We ourselves are not an illusory part of Reality; rather are we Reality itself illusorily conceived.we Reality itself illusorily conceived.
Are we not wasps who spend all day in a fruitless attempt Are we not wasps who spend all day in a fruitless attempt to traverse a window-pane - while the other half of the to traverse a window-pane - while the other half of the window is wide open?window is wide open?
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His Quotes (3) Detachment is a state, it is not a totalisation of achieved Detachment is a state, it is not a totalisation of achieved
indifferences.indifferences.
The notion that human life has greater value than any The notion that human life has greater value than any other form of life is both unjustifiable and arrogant. other form of life is both unjustifiable and arrogant.
Wise men don't judge: they seek to understand.Wise men don't judge: they seek to understand.
How many of the ways (disciplines, exercises, practices) How many of the ways (disciplines, exercises, practices) recommended as helpful, or even necessary, for the recommended as helpful, or even necessary, for the attainment of Satori are not in fact consequences of that attainment of Satori are not in fact consequences of that state erroneously suggested as means? state erroneously suggested as means?
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His Quotes (4)
There seem to two kinds of searchers: those who seek to There seem to two kinds of searchers: those who seek to make their ego something other than it is, i.e. holy, happy, make their ego something other than it is, i.e. holy, happy, unselfish (as though you could make a fish unfish), and unselfish (as though you could make a fish unfish), and those who understand that all such attempts are just those who understand that all such attempts are just gesticulation and play-acting, that there is only one thing gesticulation and play-acting, that there is only one thing that can be done, which is to disidentify themselves with that can be done, which is to disidentify themselves with the ego, by realising its unreality, and by becoming aware the ego, by realising its unreality, and by becoming aware of their eternal identity with pure being.of their eternal identity with pure being.
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His Quotes (5)
Doctrines, scriptures, sutras, essays, are not to be Doctrines, scriptures, sutras, essays, are not to be regarded as systems to be followed. They merely regarded as systems to be followed. They merely contribute to understanding. They should be for us a contribute to understanding. They should be for us a source of stimulation, and nothing more... Adopted, rather source of stimulation, and nothing more... Adopted, rather than used as a stimulus, they are a hindrance. than used as a stimulus, they are a hindrance.
Play your part in the comedy, but don't identify yourself Play your part in the comedy, but don't identify yourself with your role! with your role!
Living should be perpetual and universal benediction.Living should be perpetual and universal benediction.
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His Quotes (6)
What is your trouble? Mistaken identity.What is your trouble? Mistaken identity.
Truth is that which lies in a dimension beyond the reach of Truth is that which lies in a dimension beyond the reach of thought.thought.
Whole-mind has no 'thoughts', thoughts are split-mind. Whole-mind has no 'thoughts', thoughts are split-mind.
Realization is a matter of becoming conscious of that Realization is a matter of becoming conscious of that which is already realized.which is already realized.
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His Quotes (7)
THIS which is seeking is THAT which is sought, andTHIS which is seeking is THAT which is sought, andTHAT which is sought is THIS which is seeking. THAT which is sought is THIS which is seeking.
As long as we are identified with an object: that is As long as we are identified with an object: that is bondage.bondage.
As long as we think, act, live via an object, or as an object: As long as we think, act, live via an object, or as an object: that is bondage.that is bondage.
As long as we feel ourselves to be an object, or think we As long as we feel ourselves to be an object, or think we are such (and a 'self' is an object): that is bondage. are such (and a 'self' is an object): that is bondage.
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Books by Wei Wu Wei (1)
1963This classic gem of Eastern spirituality is especially timely in the current climate of interest in Buddhism. Wei Wu Wei's unique and fresh interpretation of the ancient teachings opens the reader's eyes...
1960Drawing from the ancient traditions of Buddhism, Taoism, and Advaita Vedanta, the writer renders their insights in his own radical, uncompromising language, with humor and profundity...
1958Like a master instructing every reader who has the dedication to read this book, the author maintains direct and unrelenting perspective, giving Fingers Pointing to the Moon its status as one of Zen Buddhism's essential classics...
1964These thirty-four powerful essays, poems, and dialogs based on Taoist and Buddhist thought constitute a guide to what the author calls “non-volitional living”—the ancient understanding that our efforts to grasp our true nature are futile. While this may sound disheartening, fully comprehending this truth is the key to our liberation...
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Books by Wei Wu Wei (2)1965Open Secret is an essential work by the mysterious Wei Wu Wei, author of a series of Buddhist and Taoist spiritual classics. In poetry, dialogs, epigrams, and essays, he addresses our illusions concerning the mind, the self, logic, time, space, and causation...
1974Using the pseudonym O. O. O., the author was obviously having some fun with this final book, which he wrote entirely as a dialog between a wise owl and a naïve rabbit...
1968These thirty-four powerful essays, poems, and dialogs based on Taoist and Buddhist thought constitute a guide to what the author calls “non-volitional living”—the ancient understanding that our efforts to grasp our true nature are futile. While this may sound disheartening, fully comprehending this truth is the key to our liberation...
1965Wei Wu Wei described his books as “reflections of the moon in a puddle” because he does not set himself apart from any other, does not profess to be a teacher, and does not claim to have the last word on spiritual truth...
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Wei Wu Wei – Ask the Awakened
Perhaps the most important and best known of Wei Wu Wei’s books, Perhaps the most important and best known of Wei Wu Wei’s books, Ask Ask The AwakenedThe Awakened, draws on a variety of sources, including Taoism—, draws on a variety of sources, including Taoism—specifically the texts attributed to Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu; Buddhism—specifically the texts attributed to Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu; Buddhism—especially the Heart, Diamond and Lankavatara sutras; and Chan Buddhism especially the Heart, Diamond and Lankavatara sutras; and Chan Buddhism as taught by Hui Neng, Huang Po, Hui Hai, etc.; as well as the Vedantic as taught by Hui Neng, Huang Po, Hui Hai, etc.; as well as the Vedantic teachings of Padmasambhava and Sri Ramana Maharshi, among others.teachings of Padmasambhava and Sri Ramana Maharshi, among others.
Wei Wu Wei's unique and fresh interpretation of the ancient teachings opens Wei Wu Wei's unique and fresh interpretation of the ancient teachings opens the reader's eyes. This powerful book rewards by exposing illusions, and the reader's eyes. This powerful book rewards by exposing illusions, and takes the reader beyond logic to the inexpressible truth of existence. takes the reader beyond logic to the inexpressible truth of existence.
Wei Wu Wei joins D.T. Suzuki, Paul Reps, Alan Watts and Philip Kapleau Wei Wu Wei joins D.T. Suzuki, Paul Reps, Alan Watts and Philip Kapleau as one of the earliest and most profound interpreters of Advaita Vedanta, as one of the earliest and most profound interpreters of Advaita Vedanta, Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophies. Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophies.
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Why are you so unhappy?
Why are you so unhappy?Why are you so unhappy?
Because 99,9 per centBecause 99,9 per cent
of everything you thinkof everything you think
and everything you doand everything you do
is for yourself—is for yourself—
and there isn’t one.and there isn’t one.
From Ask the Awakened by Wei WuWei
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Thank YouThank You
Ivan FrimmelIvan Frimmel
Cell: 082-454-0311Cell: 082-454-0311
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