In this fascinating book, Edward Slingerland tackles one of the most infuriating obstacles we encounter in our attempts to live meaningful lives. When we try with too much conscious effort to feel happy, or achieve our goals, we sabotage ourselves - but trying to be spontaneous is equally futile. The way out of this paradox is wu-wei, the ancient Chinese ideal of effortless yet accomplished living. Trying Not to Try is both a deeply researched history of this enviable state of relaxed success, and a witty guide to achieving it yourself. Don't overthink whether you're going to read it - just read it
OLIVER BURKEMAN

author of THE ANTIDOTE

Trying Not to Try navigates the confluence of two mighty rivers: the burgeoning science of the mind and the classic wisdom of China's Taoist and Confucian traditions. This is a thoughtful, grounded book about traditions that should be better known - and more often put into practice - in the West
DANIEL PINK, author of Drive and To Sell is Human East meets West in Edward Slingerland's Trying Not to Try, an entertaining and thought-provoking account of how the principles of ancient Chinese thought continue to apply
indeed, may apply even more - in modern times. Slingerland will make you reconsider your approach to everyday life and will challenge you to approach success - and failure - in a new, refreshing and reenergizing light
MARIA KONNIKOVA

author of MASTERMIND

A work of seminal importance. Yet never was there such an important book that takes itself so lightly. Slingerland explains the correspondence between ancient Chinese philosophical ideas about wu-wei, or doing by not doing, and modern neuroscience. In doing so in erudite fashion, he also manages to discuss Woody Allen, magic mushrooms, his daughter's storybooks, Luke Skywalker and how hard it is to get a date when you're desperate . . . While it will surely take some effort to spread wu-wei in a Western culture saturated by the idea that emotions have to be controlled by the mind, Trying Not to Try is a great step forward. Slingerland's writing, if not wu-wei, is without a doubt effortless

Huffington Post

Ancient China produced some of the greatest wisdom in human history, and Slingerland makes those riches accessible to modern readers. This book represents the humanities at their best - it's grounded in careful research about an ancient culture, yet speaks to the eternal challenges of being human in a complex and confusing world

JONATHAN HAIDT, author of The Righteous Mind

Trying Not to Try is fascinating, original, and mind-expanding - it shows us a completely different way of thinking about success and happiness
AMY CHUA

author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Through a combination of hard science and ancient philosophy, Trying Not to Try has convinced me that my usual approach to life - smashing through walls and grinding out painful victories - isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sometimes trying hard is overrated. Slingerland has written a charming, intellectually rigorous book that can help all of us improve our lives
JONATHAN GOTTSCHALL

author of The Storytelling Animal

A fascinating read. With state-of-the art science and interesting stories, Slingerland provides key insights from the East and West for achieving happiness and well-being
SIAN BEILOCK

author of Choke

Valuable and refreshing; it illuminates traditions unfairly overlooked in the West, and does so in a way that's clear-eyed, amenable to science

Skinny

Trying not to Try is an enlightening introduction to the often misunderstood mindset of wu wei, the "being in the moment" that is the key to Eastern wisdom. Slingerland's volume is an invaluable guide to anyone on the quest for a full life, lived spontaneously
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

author of FLOW