TZU-JAN

(Chinese: naturalness), in Chinese Taoism, an ideal state of human existence that results from living in complete harmony with the forces of nature. Taoists, observing that everything in the world has its natural state, strive to attain a state of complete spontaneity in order to become what nature intended them to be. As a consequence, life becomes exceedingly simple; and such things as life and death, good health and illness are accepted as part of the irresistible cycle of nature, which ceaselessly makes and unmakes the world. Unlike the rest of the universe, however, man must resolve to bring his existence into conformity with the forces of nature. He can do this best by first observing the ever-changing world about him and then fatalistically abstaining from struggle against powers beyond his control.