「遊」在莊子思想中具有重要地位,莊子理想中的「遊」是一種閒逸安適的存在經驗或生命狀態。不論古今中外,閒逸安適的生活、自由自在的心靈、以及無所羈絆的生命乃眾所嚮往的理想,莊子對此有獨到的見解,而其「遊」的觀念尤其具有啟發性。莊子的「遊」大致可分爲兩種層次-「身遊」與「心遊」。「身遊」又可分爲兩種,一是本意之不被拘限於某個時空內的實際活動-亦即一般的出遊、遊歷、遊玩;二是具有更廣泛意涵之「遊方之內」的遊-亦即「塵世之遊」或「遊世之道」,象徵處世的智慧。而「心遊」或「遊心」則是指超越時空的美感經驗、精神活動、或存在狀態-亦即精神的自由解放、閒適自如、無所罣碍的心靈解脫之遊。他透過不同形式與層次的「遊」,來表達其思想和人生哲學,以及凸顯其心中理想的生命境界-逍遙遊。
”Yu” is an important idea and value in Chuang-Tzu's philosophy. Chuang-Tsu's ideal ”Yu” is a leisurely existence with carefree experience or state of mind. Leisurely living, a worry-free mind, or an unfettered life has been an ideal pursued cross-culturally throughout history. Chuang-Tsu provides insightful ideas of how to achieve this ideal via his idea of ”yu”. There are generally two states of ”yu”: ”body yu” and ”mind yu”; the former symbolizes moving freely of body, while the later symbolizes moving freely of mind or spirit. There are two kinds of ”body yu”, one describes ordinary travel and play, the other symbolizes living freely in the world. ”Mind yu” stands for aesthetic experiences, spiritual activities, of existential states signifying mental freedom or leisurely and unfettered spirit. Chuang-Tzu uses different ”yu's” to portray his philosophy and carry out his ideal state of existence, ”Hsiao yao yu”.