Wu wei definition
Wu wei or “woo way” is the Taoist principle of effortless action or non-action. It emphasizes spontaneity and the natural alignment with the universe.
In English, wu wei means “inaction”, “not forcing” or “nondoing.” However, the meaning of wu wei is not about inactivity or idleness. Instead, it refers to a certain type of doing which could be best described as acting effortlessly.
Nowadays, living in a world of electronics, constant notifications, and reminders, understanding effortless action could be the fine line separating failure from mastery in life.
Wu wei in Daoism
The term wu wei is one of the key concepts in Daoism (Taoism). Daoism is a Chinese tradition that predates Confucianism and Buddhism. It is widely recognized through texts such as the Tao Te Ching and the “Zhuangzi.” Although, it is often viewed as a religious practice early Taoism is primarily a philosophy of life. As it emphasizes living well and fostering personal growth in life.
In Taoism, wu wei is far from laziness or quiescence. Instead, it emphasizes a certain type of action, a kind of activity that increases the likelihood of success in life.
In many instances, Daodejing (also known as Tao Te Ching) discusses it with an emphasis on action. For example, the chapter 63, discussion on wu wei starts with two words: Act and Be active. Here is the opening to chapter 63:
In numerous passages, the Daodejing (or Tao Te Ching) elaborates on the concept, often emphasizing action. For instance, let’s look at Chapter 63 and Lao Tzu wu wei quotes:
Act, but through nonaction.
Be active, but have no activities.
Daodejing of Laozi, t. Ivanhoe
What does it mean to act through nonaction? We explore the practice of wu wei further in this article. Further, this article delves into the Taoism, philosophy, and psychology behind wu wei to explain wu wei in more detail. Here, the goal is to understand how to practice wu wei in mastering life skills.
Effortless Action
In Effortless Living: Wu-Wei and the Spontaneous State of Natural Harmony, Jason Gregory defines wu wei as surrounding personal control and trusting the spontaneity of the action. As a result, effortless action is about acting without deliberate effort. 1
How can we achieve without deliberate effort?
In Wuwei in the Lüshi Chunqiu, David Chai argues that wu wei could be best described as “abiding harmony.” 2 Therefore, “wuwei is not about cultivating a human program of action.” Instead, it entails letting go of fixed ways of living in favor of finding and following our path and living in harmony with it.
This also implies that practicing it could vary for each individual. What remains consistent, is that, for each person, acting in harmony through wu wei ensures success not only in spiritual life but also in other personal endeavors.
Wu Wei is not
Another way to understand wu wei is by defining it in contrast to what it opposes. Effortless action stands against relentless striving regardless of the consequences. For instance, one might push to become a successful lawyer despite lacking a natural inclination.
For instance, someone might logically pursue a career in computer engineering due to promising job prospects for programmers. However, when entering the program, they may realize it doesn’t align with their personality or inner needs. Persisting in this personal conflict and pushing ahead is not in harmony with wu wei.
In essence, wu wei encourages pursuing goals that resonate with one’s true nature, rather than blindly striving for external success.
Now, let’s briefly look at the religious ideas and philosophy behind wu wei before delving into wu wei as a practice.
Wu Wei Philosophy
Daoist philosophy is a non-anthropocentric worldview, meaning humans are not at the center of it. In this philosophy, the universe operates according to an orderly natural process called the “way” or dao. As such, humans are not the “masters of the earth” and must follow the rules of the earth and dao, rather than asserting mastery over them. 3
Edward Slingerland wu wei
Edward Slingerland, in his book Effortless Action: Wu-wei As Conceptual Metaphor and Spiritual Ideal in Early China, defines wu wei as a conceptual metaphor and spiritual ideal. Hence, wu wei is “a state of personal harmony in which actions flow freely and instantly from one’s spontaneous inclinations—without the need for extended deliberation or inner struggle.” 4
According to Slingerland, the state of wu wei is reached when the “individual realizes his or her proper place in the cosmos.” Because of such aspiration, it is considered a religious ideal. Although, in its origin, this notion of religion is more individualistic and different from the later structured religions. In its religious sense, the concept of wu wei is about attaining the mastery of “becoming fully human (ren).”
Tao and wu wei
Therefore, by letting go of your expectations and surrounding yourself with Tao, by embracing spontaneity and trust, you get to follow and directly experience the Tao.
Furthermore, since Tao is described as “the way of nature,” by letting go of the learned expectations, you tap into the same spontaneity in the natural world. Hence, you can find your way and your proper place in the universe, just like an acorn finds its way to grow into an oak tree.
Yet, the idea of wu wei is not exclusively a religious one, since its core ideas could be applied to many facets of human existence such as relationship with nature, personal relationships, governance, education, etc.
Wu wei practice
There isn’t a singular method for practicing wu wei. Ancient Taoist students often withdrew to the mountains for this purpose. However, a modern approach to wu wei can fit the demands of contemporary life, whether in school or at work. This approach essentially comprises two elements:
- A) Eliminating life’s friction
- B) Following our natural abilities
According to Huston Smith, a religious scholar and the author of The World’s Religions, an important aspect of the wu wei practice is preserving life’s energy. This is achieved by reducing unnecessary activities that leave one feeling drained. So, this means avoiding interactions that drain energy from us, such as friction and conflicts. 5
Huston Smith describes Taoist philosophers’ practice of wu wei as a means to increase their net profits by cutting costs (unnecessary energy expenditure).
So, think of it this way: we only have a certain number of hours in a lifetime and a limited amount of energy to spend on our endeavors. Therefore, wu wei is about “pure effectiveness” and making the most of what we already have. Consequently, this implies focusing on our natural strengths and reducing friction in life.
A) Practice wu wei by eliminating life’s frictions
Practicing wu wei by reducing friction at any level can help you conserve energy and focus on what truly matters. Frictions in life can be categorized in various ways. According to Smith, they fall into three main categories:
- Interpersonal relationships
- Internal conflicts
- Conflict with nature.
Therefore, to practice the first step is to reduce interpersonal conflict, internal conflict, and conflict with nature. But how exactly can we achieve this?
1- Reduce Interpersonal conflict
Reducing interpersonal conflicts is about having open, honest, and respectful communication with people around us.
For example, working on our conflict resolution skills by showing empathy, establishing boundaries, and managing emotions could be approaches to reducing such friction in life.
2- Reduce Internal Conflict
Reducing internal conflict is about cultivating self-awareness. Getting to know our emotions, desires, likes, dislikes. Moreover, this is about self-acceptance and self-compassion. For example, paying attention to our needs and balancing personal well-being with social duties.
For example, techniques such as mindfulness meditation, journaling, and self-reflection can help to identify and address internal conflicts, leading to greater inner clarity.
3- Reduce Conflict with the Nature
In our busy lives, most of us tend to see nature as a senseless, emotionless thing out there. Yet, we have a much deeper relationship with natural elements in our environment.
For example, research in psychology shows that keeping plants in our office or working environment, increases our focus and cognitive abilities. 6
Similarly, an extensive review of existing literature on the relationship between nature exposure and health reveals the “protective effects of exposure to natural environments on mental health outcomes and cognitive function.” 7
So, cultivating a deeper appreciation of nature and increasing exposure to natural surroundings can significantly reduce our conflicts with nature.
For example, engaging in activities such as hiking, spending time in parks, or simply taking walks in natural settings allows us to reconnect with the natural world. These experiences alleviate stress, enhance mood, and cultivate a greater sense of appreciation for ourselves and the natural world around us.
B) Practice wu wei by following your natural abilities
The essence of wu wei lies in the belief that deep within ourselves, we have an innate understanding of our true passions and the path to our personal fulfillment. Yet, social norms, education, and life experiences often divert us from this inner wisdom, leaving us metaphorically stuck in a mud puddle where hard work doesn’t always translate to progress.
Therefore, according to wu wei practice, we can break away from this by freeing our minds from the ‘ought to dos’, and embracing the flexibility and curiosity of a child in living and acting.
This involves adapting and engaging with life as a child does during play. So, let’s explore the concept of child’s play a bit further.
For a child, the act of play has several characteristics:
1- Play is About Interests
First, a child naturally gravitates toward activities that they find interesting and enjoyable. Therefore, it’s essential to consider your passions, inner gifts, and personal interests.
2- Play is Anxiety Free
Second, during play, a child acts without worry, stress, or doubt, fully engaged in the moment. They play with no expectations or outcomes in mind; they simply immerse in the activity. While it might not be practical to remove all stressors in life, adopting this mindset can reduce unnecessary fear. For instance, letting go of anticipations and focusing on the process rather than the outcome can minimize pressure and internal conflict. This also means that instead of expending energy on worry or fear, you conserve vital energy for your endeavors.
3- The play is About Deep Engagement: wu wei flow state
Third, engaging in effortless action requires a playful interaction between the individual and the task at hand. Play is a reciprocal relationship that involves deep engagement between the one doing the act (actor) and the action. So, this creates a flow state between the actor and the action and leads to a state of effortless action.
This flowing cognition is similar to the concept of “optimal experience” identified by the famous psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi as flow. Csikszentmihalyi was an American-Hungarian psychologist who is most known for his book Flow: The Classic Work on How to Achieve Happiness and his writings on the idea of “flow” or “optimal experience.”
Optimal experience describes a state of heightened focus and deep immersion in an activity, often accompanied by joy. This state of effortlessness arises from genuine enjoyment of the process rather than obligation. The idea of effortlessness and optimal experience requires a certain unforced engagement. As William Blake eloquently expresses, it’s about experiencing unforced delight when doing something that you enjoy. 8
He who binds to himself a joy
ETERNITY, William Blake, The Complete Poems
Does the winged life destroy
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity’s sun rise
However, there are moments when even pursuing one’s passion may feel burdensome; since fear and expectations can stifle its growth in infancy. For instance, doubt and questioning the necessity of action, such as asking, “Why am I doing this? Should I be doing something else?” could hinder the attainment of effortless action.
While there are techniques to overcome obstacles to flow, such as personal worries and hesitations, they could be the topic of another piece. For now, let’s stay focused on the concept of wu wei and effortlessness.
4- Play is Acting in the Zone
When we’re “in the zone,” our mind and body act as one, working in perfect balance. This is also called embodied cognition. Embodied cognition theory says that our bodies are essential in our thinking and learning. As a result, instead of being separate, our minds and bodies work together to understand the world. This means our actions, movements, and feelings influence our thoughts and decisions. For example, think about riding a bike or how muscle memory works when playing an instrument.
Chuang-tzu (also known as Zhuangzi), a Daoist philosopher, expresses this idea in the story of Cook Ting (Cook Ding) or Butcher Ding. In the story, Cook Ding slices an ox for Lord Wen-hui. Lord Wen-hui is amazed by how easily Cook Ding cuts the ox. Cook Ding expresses that he works with his spirit, letting the spiritual energy of the Dao guide him. He says:
What I care about is the Way, which goes beyond skill. When I first began cutting up oxen, all I could see was the ox itself. After three years I no longer saw the whole ox. And now– now I go at it by spirit and don’t look with my eyes. Perception and understanding have come to a stop, and spirit moves where it wants.
Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings, p.47
In Effortless Living, Jason Gregory believes that our inherent condition is to live in a state of flow. However, conditioned by our analytical way, we diverge from this natural path. He writes that “our natural state is to be in the zone all the time, but it has been eclipsed by our intellectual training, which, with its tendency to dissect life, eclipses this reality.”
Wu Wei Involves Mastery:
Smith in The World’s Religions, describes wu wei as bringing together “supreme activity” with “supreme relaxation.” And this combination adds up to a single idea: mastery.
So, effortless action is about spontaneous mastery, rather than a mindless play. It resembles professional jazz improvisation more than aimless activity. Moreover, it is a state of harmony in which actions flow effortlessly and instantly, without inner struggle.
As an example, Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti was known for his effortless singing. Such a combination of mastery and perfection embodies the state of wu wei or effortless action. Yet, reaching such spontaneous perfection requires aligning diligent effort with innate interests and natural abilities.
We often marvel at the seemingly effortless performances of professional athletes and musicians. Yet, this kind of mastery is far from being effortless.
This effortlessness comes as a result of rigorous training and mastery required behind the scenes. Yet, the natural inclination and the joy that comes from the process allows one to persist and stay committed to their practice.
Although the flow experience appears to be effortless, it is far from being so. It often requires strenuous physical exertion, or highly disciplined mental activity. It does not
– Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, Flow
happen without the application of skilled performance. Any lapse in concentration will erase it. And yet while it lasts consciousness works smoothly, action follows action seamlessly.
While the philosophy of Wu Wei may prioritize achieving results through effortless action, it’s equally important to consider the process of mastery.
Now that we’ve explored the practice of wu wei through the lens of play and flow, let’s distill these concepts into actionable steps. By embracing our passions, reducing conflicts, and engaging through play, we can cultivate a mindset of effortless action in our daily lives.
Actionable steps and Wu Wei
Raymond M. Smullyan, in The Dao is Silent, suggests that wu wei extends to the learning process and the journey toward mastery. While learning and mastery require effort, Smullyan contends that it need not be strenuous or forced. In essence, the path to mastery aligns with wu wei when one’s interests and natural abilities harmonize with the pursuit of learning or mastering a skill.
Here are some actionable steps to get there:
1- Listen and reflect:
Start by learning about yourself. Look for your passion. This passion could become your profession or a project that you work on. Begin by paying close attention to your interests. Take the time to understand yourself, observe your inclinations, and uncover what truly excites you.
One effective method is to make lists of things that interest you, and then revisit them after a few weeks. Do you notice any recurring patterns or themes?
2- Start your learning journey by acting:
Choose a learning path to start. Act and immerse yourself in the process of growth and development and let go of expectations.
This could be starting with a white canvas to make the painting that you had in mind for some time. Or starting that writing project that you have been thinking about for some time. Or the business idea that you were thinking about.
3- Allocate time and play:
Actively engage in the learning process and take steps forward. Embrace experimentation and don’t fear making mistakes, knowing that each misstep is a chance to learn and improve.
5- Discover joy along the way:
Embrace the present moment and find joy in the journey itself. Let go of worries and trust in the process, celebrating small victories and moments of inspiration.
6- Maintain focus:
Eliminate distractions and maintain focus on your project goals. Concentration is key to achieving the outcomes you desire. As you continue to take action, your conscious efforts will gradually become second nature. Your actions will seamlessly align with your identity, becoming an inherent part of who you are.
8- Embrace patience and persistence:
Understand that challenges are a natural part of any journey. Embrace patience and persistence as you navigate obstacles, by allowing your passion and inner drive to propel you forward. Trust in your ability to overcome adversity and reach your project.
Kenny Werner is a world-class pianist and composer, and his definition of mastery summarizes the importance of self-love, forgiveness of mistakes, and maintaining a resilient self-image despite challenges. Werner’s definition of mastery encapsulates the spirit of Wu Wei, emphasizing self-love, forgiveness, and resilience in the pursuit of personal growth and excellence. In his book Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self-Mastery from Music to Life, he defines mastery as follows:
Mastery is not perfection or even virtuosity. It is giving oneself love, forgiving one’s mistakes, and not allowing earthly evidence to diminish one’s view of one’s self as a drop in the Ocean of Perfection.
Kenny Werner
Conclusion
In conclusion, the philosophy of Wu Wei offers profound insights into the art of harmonious living. By embracing our passions, reducing conflicts, and engaging in activities with joy and immersion, we can cultivate a mindset of effortless action in our daily lives.
Through practices such as self-reflection, embracing experimentation, and maintaining focus, we can align ourselves with the principles of Wu Wei to achieve mastery in our endeavors.
Ultimately, by integrating the wisdom of Wu Wei into our lives, we can navigate challenges with resilience, find fulfillment in the journey itself, and strive toward a state of harmony and balance.
Footnotes
- J. Gregory, Effortless Living: Wu-Wei and the spontaneous state of natural harmony. Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions, 2018. ↩︎
- D. Chai, “Wuwei in the Lüshi Chunqiu,” Dao, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 437–455, Sep. 2023, doi: 10.1007/s11712-023-09894-8. ↩︎
- H.-G. Moeller, “Basic aspects of Daoist philosophy,” Int. Commun. Chin. Cult., vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 99–107, Sep. 2015. ↩︎
- E. G. Slingerland, Effortless Action: Wu-wei as conceptual metaphor and spiritual ideal in early China. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. ↩︎
- H. Smith, The world’s religions. Bronx, NY: Ishi Press International, 2017. ↩︎
- R. K. Raanaas, Debra Rich b, Gunn Sjøstrøm a, Grete Patil a, and Katinka Horgen Evensen, “Benefits of indoor plants on attention capacity in an office setting – ScienceDirect.” Accessed: Mar. 19, 2024. [Online]. ↩︎
- M. P. Jimenez et al., “Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence,” Int J Environ Res Public Health, vol. 18, no. 9, p. 4790, Apr. 2021. ↩︎
- K. Werner, Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within, Audiobook, Archieboy Audiobook Production ↩︎