Only effortless ease is complete and thorough ease. This is a Daoist concept on physical and mental freedom, which had an impact on ancient artistic creation. According to Zhuangzi (369?-286 BC), people fail to achieve peace because they lack inner strength, not because of external factors. lf the mind is full of distracting thoughts, always drawing a clear-cut line between all things and weighing gains and losses, then the soul will be ill at ease even though external conditions maybe comfortable. Only if all attempts at differentiation are abandoned and all distracting thoughts eliminated, can true ease and tranquility be achieved, and even unpleasant external circumstances be resisted. This thought enlightened the concept of aesthetic freedom in ancient literature and art.

If a person forgets his feet, he will feel comfortable in any shoes. If he forgets his waist, he will feel comfortable no matter what waist strap he wears. Knowing how to forget questions of right and wrong, he will feel relaxed and peaceful. He will feel so under any circumstances so long as he maintains his integrity and takes care not to fall under the influence of external matters. If he feels at ease in mind, he will feel so anytime, anywhere. This is effortless ease. Zhuangzi

If a person feels physically well, he will forget the existence of his limbs. If he feels spiritually well, he will forget the existence of right and wrong. His effortless ease will be such that he is no longer aware of his own existence. Bai Juyi: At My Desk