Doing nothing may sound to some like a tempting invitation to rest and relax, while for others it conjures up a dreadful image of apathy and emptiness. In the Chinese philosophy of Taoism, however, wu wei, or active non-doing, means something quite different, and Taoists consider it the key to the noblest kind of action. Wu wei lies at the heart of what it means to follow the Tao, or the Way.
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Taoist philosophy
Taoism is a religion and philosophy from ancient China. Its founder is usually considered to be Lao Tzu, who is said to have written the main text, the Tao Te Ching. However, more recent findings suggest that he is more likely a legendary figure and that the text is a compilation of key ideas from several authors. This in no way takes away from the depth of the ideas this philosophy offers.
The main idea is that people and animals should live in balance with the Tao. The Tao is hard to define, but it is often translated as the Way of the universe. The Tao is the source of everything and the foundation of all reality. All living beings should therefore live in a state of harmony with the universe and with the energy found within it.
When we are in harmony with the Tao, our actions are naturally of the greatest benefit to everyone we meet.
Other well-known Taoist principles are yin, yang and chi: in life there is a dynamic balance between opposites, which complement each other and form a single whole. This is clearly shown in yin (feminine) and yang (masculine) energy. When joined together, they form a complete energy known as chi, which is the guiding energy of all life and a perfectly balanced form of energy.
Wu wei in Taoism
One of the most important concepts in Taoism is wu wei, which is sometimes translated as “non-doing” or “non-action”. A better way to think of it, however, is the paradoxical “action of inaction”. The concept of wu wei means being like the Tao. It does not mean not acting; it means “effortless action” or “action without action”.
Wu wei refers to cultivating a state of being in which our actions are effortless and in harmony with the energy of the world. A person then carries out every task with the greatest skill and efficiency. So we should stop trying to force action and relax instead. When we then do something, our actions will be natural, carry the right energy and achieve the desired results.
🗣️ The Tao Te Ching says: “Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.”
Many people believe this concept is absolutely essential to learning how to live a good life. For those of us from Western culture, though, this philosophy is very hard to grasp. In a culture focused on action and activity, doing nothing sounds silly. Who has ever made a million by doing nothing?
Yet the Taoist wu wei has a lot in common with the Western concept of flow, in which a person is absorbed in an activity and does it with full engagement, not forcefully, but with energy that flows out of them on its own. When we are in a state of deep concentration, the activity flows by itself and is not carried out by force.
How to understand wu wei
Although it may be hard for us to understand, inaction can be a powerful move when it is intentional. Being still takes courage and trust that there is a place for us in the vast, chaotic universe.
1. Swim with the current, not against it
Wu wei means striving for our behaviour to be spontaneous. It is about attuning ourselves so that we swim with the current of the universe rather than against it. We should be like a tree that bends in the wind.
2. Let go of ideals
Wu wei involves letting go of ideals that we often try to impose too forcefully on the things around us. It encourages us to respond to the real demands of situations, which we usually only notice when we set aside our own ego-driven plans.
3. Be like water
Wu wei points out that we should be like water, which is yielding and weak, yet overcomes even what is hard and strong. By gently persisting and following the specific shape of a problem, we can flow around an obstacle and gradually wear it away.
Wu wei shows that when we stop making waves and learn to wait and observe, we see outside forces more clearly and make wiser moves. When we act rashly, every step is a potential mistake, because our decisions are driven by stirred-up emotions and the ego.
4. Wu wei does not mean you stop influencing the world around you
It may seem that by embracing the philosophy of wu wei we stop engaging with the world, but in fact only our ego disappears, and a new unity emerges between the self and our surroundings. This releases energy that is normally held back by an overly aggressive, wilful way of thinking.
Like all living beings, we have a limited amount of energy. By not acting, we save energy so that we can spend it when the right moment comes. So wu wei is not about resignation or laziness. It is about distributing your strength wisely.
5. Wu wei (not only) for artists
Rather than laboriously trying to reproduce nature faithfully, an artist should find nature within themselves and surrender to its call. A painter’s task is not to imitate the outer surface of things, but to present the chi, or “spirit”, of things by feeling it within, and then letting it flow out through their tool or their way of life.
How to apply wu wei in your life
The whole philosophy sounds appealing, but how do you actually put it into practice and let the concept of wu wei take root in you?
1. Relax
Tension restricts not only the body but also the mind and emotions. It is not a healthy way to live, especially when stress is long-term and becomes our usual way of functioning. When you feel light and relaxed, the world, situations and people seem much easier.
A state of relaxed alertness allows you to deal with situations simply and with ease. Meditation, walks in nature and yoga help with this. Set aside time for yourself that you devote solely to relaxing your mind and body.
Proper relaxation also includes taking care of yourself. Truly focusing on yourself and your wellbeing is the best way to live healthily. If you are hungry, thirsty or stiff, you will never reach proper relaxation. Overall self-care is therefore essential, and according to Taoism this also includes balancing your energies properly, which various foods such as wu wei zi, or wu-wei-zi, can help with.
2. Learn when and how to respond.
When you feel calm and balanced, your mind is relatively clear and you can see, assess and respond to situations more accurately. Answers usually already exist or appear on their own when you step out of the way and stop creating obstacles to the flow of energy. So learn how to calm down.
Another essential part of wu wei is knowing when not to act. Sometimes holding back is the most appropriate response. Those who know how to control themselves always win. If your emotions are stirred up, you desperately want something or you feel tense inside, first calm down within, and only then will you see the right next step.
Life is about the balance between action and inaction, like yin and yang.
3. Alternate work and rest.
Do not work on something until you are completely exhausted. Take regular breaks to recharge and refresh yourself. Research shows that we function best when short, intense bursts of activity are followed by moments of rest. When you return to whatever you are doing, your mind will be fresher, leading to better insights, productivity and enjoyment. This is especially important if your problems include frequent tiredness.
Whatever you are doing, try to enjoy it. Find one aspect you like (however small) and focus on it. Joy is energising and uplifting, while a sense of drudgery and boredom wears us down and dampens us. If there is nothing you like about what you are doing, at least keep an attitude of acceptance.
4. Do not focus on results.
Try to do your best, but do not worry about the results. We are responsible for our actions, but not for their outcomes. Results do not depend on a single cause but on many, and many of them are beyond our control.
There is no point worrying about what we cannot influence. Just accept that there is a bigger picture in life. In the end, the Tao will take care of everything, even if the immediate results are not what we might wish for. Whatever happens in life happens because it could not have been otherwise. You will do the best for yourself if you let life take care of itself. Being able to accept the whole world as it is, is the path to being happy.
