When I first started my capstone, I wished to pursue proper applications for Eastern philosophy in a Western setting. But after reading the Tao of Pooh I realized that the greatest way to live happily isn't by restricting yourself to a strict doctrine or way of living, but to live the way that feels most natural to you. Pu, the uncarved block, effortless doing is just being yourself and living according to what feels most natural. On this journey, many spiritual platitudes have been ignored, and thousands of years of religious and philosophical history have been covered to the best of my ability. Describing a religion or philosophy like taoism, that states:"the Tao that can be spoken, is not the eternal Tao," is tricky. My attempt to describe taoism definitely impacted my enthusiasm to learn about it, especially the history of religious taoism that seemed to never end. It also seemed kind of childish how religious Daoists viewed philosophical Taoism, which seems contradictory to the nature of Taoism; however, I can understand some frustration with the Western world that basically tore away the philosophy without any of the traditions. Western Taoism is everything Daoism stands for. Philosophical Taoism offers great wisdom and helps people live their lives. It represents a casual option in busy America. Something obtainable without neccessary devoting your life to it like a religion. So I believe, despite my being sidetracked, I have completely fulfilled my ambition. Pu, the uncarved block. Living effortlessly by simply being. It sounds almost too simple, but it's meant to be. It makes so much sense that it seems so stupid. A concept that I could have come up with if I had been thinking in terms of simplicity. When I first started I had images of intense meditation at temples and a household almost barren except for the bare essentials. That was my vision of a "happy" life.