ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses at the characteristics of the useless tree. According to Zhuangzi, the most suitable utility for the emptiness of the gourd is for people to take advantage of its buoyancy to go floating down lakes and rivers. The image and metaphor of the useless tree was of such importance for Zhuangzi that he wrote two different parables with it as the main symbol. It discusses that a person's greatest achievements come from their most difficult journeys and often this involves the pain of coming to terms with their limitations. The book describes that 'all hell likely break loose' if people choose to pursue an authentic existence. The book explores how the imagery of water is utilized extensively in Chinese wisdom literature. It considers the wisdom of having a proper respect for nature and allowing things to flow naturally.
