The concept of non-action (Wu Wei) is one of the most misunderstood Taoist concepts in the West. Many researchers have mistakenly considered it a fatalism and a “philosophy of laziness,” where passive acceptance of what happens and waiting for things to happen are the foundations. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Taoist Concept of Wu Wei
The Tao is a constant non-action.
That leaves nothing undone.
~ Tao Te Ching, Chapter 37
Wu Wei symbolizes the acceptance of the flow of events and the attention to every small opportunity to change the course of this flow. We all know that circumstances lead us in a certain direction, but we can always make small alterations and course corrections within that direction.
Struggling against the current, rebelling against the direction our life is heading, often brings problems. Ancient Chinese wisdom held that understanding the flow of things and adapting to it is the first step in gaining control over it. By being aware of the direction we are following, we can foresee the possible course of events and take actions that lead us to a better situation.
Knowing how to accept and learning to guide are the seeds of non-action wisdom.
Wu Wei – The Docility of Water
Develop the docility of the water that, instead of resisting obstacles, softly bypasses the river boulders
Lessons from Water:
Water takes the path of least resistance.
Water doesn’t complicate its life. It follows the rule that the enemy of good is better. Knowing this, it takes the path of least resistance, not necessarily the shortest, but the most natural. On the shortest path, we complicate things, theorize, and spend energies that could be saved for continuation or new projects. Ego and anxiety convince us that the easiest paths are also the shortest, which is not always true. Therefore, pay attention to this lesson from water.
Water does not confront insignificant obstacles.
When the stream encounters a stone in its path, it doesn’t become hysterical or paralyzed with fear. It doesn’t waste energy or time on an insignificant stone. Water simply goes around the stone and continues on its way.
Water doesn’t waste time arguing with obstacles. It simply bypasses them.
Do not struggle. Go with the flow of things, and you will find yourself at one with the mysterious unity of the Universe.
~ Zhuangzi
Following the example of water, we should not waste our time on discussions that will lead us nowhere. Recognize the distractions that delay your projects and get rid of them. Circumvent them by almost ignoring them. Stay away from those who only know how to murmur, grumble, and complain about everything and everyone. Talking to them, and especially arguing with them, will not help at all in the realization of your plans.
The notion of Wu Wei and the concept of Yin/Yang form the foundation upon which the philosophy of Taoism applied to life is based. “Wu” can be translated as “nothing” or “absence.” “Wei,” according to Alan Watts, one of the greatest scholars of Eastern philosophy, can also mean to be, to do, to practice, to create. However, in the Taoist context, it signifies interference or coercion. Therefore, Wu Wei means “non-interference.” Some people who translate this term merely as non-action generate some misunderstandings.
In the action of no-action (wu-wei), a cardinal aspect of the true creative process is set forth. In Wuwei, the mind is silenced, and the work is allowed to express itself.
~ John Daido Loori
Also, the men follow their course in life, moved by a force they cannot control: TIME. Time passes, days turn into years, and everyone feels this flow, whether in a hermitage in the Himalayas or in a car in New York. In this constant flow, humans confront numerous obstacles: illnesses, work pressures, overdue bills, stubborn children, and lack of freedom. These obstacles, like all others, are faced as a true war, causing depression, fatigue, migraines, cardiovascular diseases, and who knows what else.
I don’t think this is anything new. Since man has existed, he has faced many obstacles, and the Taoists discovered a way to overcome them as water does: Wu Wei.
Wu Wei is non-interference with the flow of life. Time flows, and with it, we face various obstacles. Most of them dissolve on their own over time (although we worry a lot before that). How often do we worry about matters beyond our reach or where worry takes the place of serious consideration that could resolve the issue? How much wasted energy and how much stress is generated? The Taoist attitude is to set aside useless worries and solve the problem in an organized way or then wait for the solution to come by itself.
Zhuangzi told the story of a drunkard who fell out of a moving carriage without a scratch, whereas another person might have died. He suffered no harm because he wasn’t self-conscious, nor did he stop to think about what could happen with the fall. Similarly, the more you dwell on a problem, the worse it gets. As an example of application, we can mention Tai Chi Chuan and Aikido martial arts. Although they don’t oppose force with aggression, they can master any opponent without the need to harm them. This can only be achieved through the application of Wu Wei.
These Taoist arts don’t initiate the attack but wait for the opponent’s movements and let them guide them to the best form of defense. In the Taoist classic “Text on Tai Chi Chuan” by Wang Zongyue, the following passage is found: “If he (the opponent) moves quickly, respond quickly; if he moves slowly, imitate him.” Similarly, if he advances, we retreat, and vice versa. The same attitude should be maintained in everyday life. To carry out a project, one must wait for the opportune situation, or we are destined to fail.
Do not struggle. Go with the flow of things, and you will find yourself at one with the mysterious unity of the Universe.
~ Zhuangzi
This attitude of waiting for a favorable time is extensively discussed in the I Ching, the Book of Changes, as in the following passage: “In its own time, you will see that credit is given to you. Supreme success is achieved through perseverance (in current conduct)” — Hexagram 49, Revolution.
Waiting for the right time for an achievement or a problem to resolve itself is not easy because we always want absolute control over everything. But we are in a boat at the mercy of the current, and it will be less laborious if we avoid rowing against it. When faced with a bad time, remember that the Yin and Yang cycles always alternate, and there is an hour of radiant light for every hour of darkness.
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