Wu wei, the art of non-action

Waiting and observing is also an art to master. This is what Wu Wei tells us, a teaching of Buddhism that could well serve our frenetic Western life.

He Wu wei It is a concept of Taoism which translates to ‘non-action’. It is a principle that states that the best way to deal with a situation, especially if it is conflictive, is not to act. And more than not acting, not forcing any solution, but letting it flow.

It seems strange to most of us that there is a philosophy inviting us to non-action. We live in a society that constantly leads us to the opposite. In fact, we live saturated with activities, sensations and thoughts. And when we are doing nothing, we feel strange. We come to think that this is simply a waste of time.

“From the emptiness of the wise arises stillness. From stillness, action. Of action, achievement”.

-Chuang Tzu-

He Tao Te Ching It was written 25 centuries ago by the philosopher Lao Tzu. This philosopher thought that the best way to live was to synchronize with the flow of nature and the cosmos. This is the main inspiration of Wu wei: let things take their natural course and adapt to it.

The values and virtues in Wu Wei

He Wu wei proposes a simple life because it is the one that most translates into peace and harmony. This simplicity implies not becoming too attached to ambitions and desires, since they are the main sources of unrest and suffering, rather than fulfillment. In this way, we avoid pain if one day we lack what we have become excessively attached to. Therefore, the importance is not the material self, but our relationship with the object.

Simplicity also helps us live in a more serene way. When we are focused on having great achievements and satisfaction, this is impossible. What it is about then is valuing what we are and what we have, instead of regretting what we are not or do not possess. Observing the present and everything we have obtained, without a doubt, will bring us many more benefits than if we only beat ourselves up for what we do not have.

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In the same way, he Wu wei suggests that simplicity helps us accept things as they are, not to resist the course of events no longer trying to take control over them. Values and attitudes that contradict Western mentality, but that allow us to cultivate greater emotional balance. Through active acceptance, our life will transform into a much more relaxed path in which we will know that we are not in control of everything that happens.

He Wu wei and Buddhism are closer than it seems. Non-clinging, avoiding excess desire or hatred, doing nothing in critical moments. These are ancient teachings that, for some reason, coincide and through them a much more serene, calm and orderly existence is obtained.

So, there is no doubt that, although in modern times all of this may seem too exotic to us, it is something that we can implement in our lives.

The Wu Wei and the excesses

He Wu wei It also draws our attention to the fact that the main source of problems is excesses. Contrary to what many think, it is not deficiencies, but excesses that lead us to feel greater discomfort. Hence, the practical elements proposed by the Wu wei focus on four main points:

Accept the fact that problems are our own creation. Problems do not arise from nowhere, they are created by our actions and our mind.Do not make mental efforts to solve problems. Do not represent them in your mind, nor generate solutions for them. The idea is to let them dilute themselves and not feed themLearn to appreciate the natural flow of things. That is, adopting an attitude of observation towards events, without assuming that we must intervene in them.Let the mind flow. Don’t try to give a specific direction or focus. Simply allow it to take its own course, especially when we are calm.

The philosopher Zhuang Zi proposed that a tree with a twisted trunk will not be cut down by any woodcutter, and will live its entire life in peace, due to its apparent uselessness.

wait and watch

One of the axes of Wu wei It is learning to wait and watch. It is based on the idea that energy must be conserved for those moments when the action is unappealable. He who observes and waits for the right moment will know how to act with great wisdom. Also with enormous vitality, since he has not wasted this on inconsequential actions.

Taoist philosophy recognizes that the universe already functions harmoniously according to its own principles and, when human beings pit their will against the world, they disrupt the harmony that already exists.

It is also based on the idea that Those who know how to look and wait will resolve any situation with great ease. It will hardly require any effort. This does not mean negligence or passivity, but rather synchronization with the natural flow of reality. It must be emphasized that nothing remains immutable, quite the opposite. What exists is constantly changing, with or without individual actions.

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What it is about then is not resisting this passing of reality. Much of our actions are designed to make us resist. This generates a negative force that becomes counterproductive. Instead of helping us preserve ourselves, it encourages us to harm ourselves in that fight. What we seek is to allow everything to happen naturally, without opposing it.