Is Zhuangzi Really Free?
Q: A teacher in an elective course mentioned Zhuangzi, stating that he did not consider Zhuangzi to be truly free. Just as when Zhuangzi's wife died, although he understood the道理 (principles), understanding does not necessarily mean one can truly stop being sad. The teacher said that Zhuangzi had great sorrow, so I want to ask: Is the teacher's viewpoint correct? Is Zhuangzi really free? How do everyone on Zhihu view this? This is my first question; if my way of asking is incorrect, I hope everyone can teach me. Thank you.
A:
Freedom is something that heaven, earth, and all things cannot control, just as the Tao Te Ching says: "The Tao is always nameless and simple; though small, none in the world can make it a subject."
In objective reality, there are always helplessness, but this cannot bind spiritual freedom, just as the Taoists say: "If a person is not burdened by the physical form, before their eyes lies the Great Luo Heaven."
If I want to cry, I cry; if I want to laugh, I laugh.
Whether the world wants me to cry or laugh is a matter for the world.
When his wife died, although everyone wanted Zhuangzi to cry, Zhuangzi wanted to sing loudly. Why should he be bound by worldly concepts?
As the questioner stated, if one were to face Zhuangzi and say, "You are sad, not free," Zhuangzi would continue to beat the pot. If he didn't want to beat it anymore, he would do something else. External things cannot move him in the slightest.
Because whether others think it is freedom or not is not important; as long as one is free oneself, that is sufficient.
What others think is their business; as long as one is not bound, one is free.
Let's consider from another angle:
Zhuangzi may have been venting his sorrow, hence beating the pot and singing wildly, while others misunderstood and thought he was not sad, thus questioning him. But according to Zhuangzi's style, if you think I am not sad, then I am not sad, and I will answer you with joyful words.
Whether others agree or not is still their business.