On ‘Wu Wei’ | Geoffrey Wilson

On ‘Wu Wei’ February 2, 2009

Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : Meditations , trackback

Those familiar with the lingo often associate Taoism with the ‘Way’. This alludes to an approach rather than a method and suggests something of flow. Unfortunately, the very moment a foreign concept is introduced many of us are inclined to rigidly define it, hold on to it, adhere to it like glue, and cling to it.

Before too long, we’ve outlived the moment and thereafter we enter the arena of dogma. However, in the same way meditation can help us to see with greater clarity, contemplation of ‘Wu Wei’ in everything we do can mean the difference between doing it easy and doing it tough!

‘Wu Wei’ means non-interference. It is a concept that is central to the practice of Taoism in daily life and implies among other things, letting things run their natural course. Going with the flow therefore has nothing to do with manipulating outcomes. Nor does it have anything to do with going to sleep while waiting for something to fall out of the sky.

‘Wu Wei’ is an approach to living that is alive and sensitive. When you are aware, awake, and responsive to the challenges of the moment, you do things very differently. You are not rushed. You are not cramped for space – if only in your own head! You are not seduced by anyone or anything. Responsible for everything that happens to you because you are awake, you stop complaining about people and the weather.

Non-interference means not getting in the way and not using force to achieve a desired result. Force is your insistence on doing it your way. But force is aggression. And force is also resistance. All of these things contradict and flow counter to the natural course of events. When we use force, we swim against the tide.

So, the question is where are you in all of this?