An Elaboration of Aesthetic Redemption in Zhuang zi's Concept of “Forgetting”

Zhuangzi's concept offorgettingis invested with rich ideas of aesthetic redemption. It is a term of self-en-richment that denotes not only the redemption of an individual from the plight of existence and his transcendence over the now and the here,but also acosmic beautythat restores the subject to theharmony between heaven and earthand helps him attain to the state ofbeing at home—a happiness which is the absence of striving for happiness. Zhuangzi's ideas of redemption from life,as developed by the concept offorgetting,are strongly reminiscent of a homecoming. Forgetting also has an inspirational value for the modern people as they attempt to resolve their spiritual crisis and construct a poetic ex- istence. Herein lies the aesthetic significance of Zhuangzi's thoughts.