Nowhere+and+Nothing+-+Thematic+Analysis

Thematic Analysis //"To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day." (pg. 148-149) // The chapter “Nowhere and Nothing” focuses on how going “Nowhere” and doing “Nothing” can be the first step towards reaching the Tao. It is hard to even imagine "Nothing" or going "Nowhere", since in our modern lives we are so occupied with everything. But removing eventually means "learning", and this process will gradually lead you to find "the Way". A person with an overly Stuffed Up Mind cannot hear and see clearly as an Empty Mind could do, therefore to empty yourself is the path to wisdom.

**The Great Nothing and Emptiness **

For taoists, it is important for them to understand the concept of “Nothing”. For them to step up closer towards finding peace in the Tao, they must be able to “go nowhere and to do nothing” (pg. 143). But how can you go Nowhere? How can you do Nothing? This can conclude to another, yet very closely related concept of Emptiness.

An empty mind is more able to see and purely accept what is in front of them, consequently achieving wisdom and peace. Contrary to this, an overstuffed up mind is unable to simply observe and accept what’s in front , but instead is “confused by Knowledge, Cleverness, and Abstract Ideas” (pg. 147). It is not impossible to gain an empty mind that ables us to do Nothing. It actually starts when we are little children, simply enjoying what is around us. Although you may think the adult form is the complete mature stage of development, "the end of the cycle is that of the independent, clear-minded, all-seeing Child" (pg. 151), which is known as the level of wisdom.

However, one of the reasons people don't tend to empty their minds is because they are afraid of being reminded of Loneliness. Due to this fear, people think that they have to fill up their minds with knowledge, cleverness, ap pointments - not knowing that these are what actually start the loneliness.

After the long journey of learning and emptying ourselves, we find ourselves in the "Enchanted Place". People will think this Enchanted Place takes a long, hard journey to achieve, but it is actually the place right where you are; just take the path to Nothing, and go Nowhere until you reach it.

 