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Wu Wei wisdom is important for living better daily. The paradoxical concept of Wu Wei technically doesn't have a definition in the traditional sense. In fact, the concept of Wu Wei meaning comes from Daoism, which also technically doesn't have a one size fits all definition. The purists of Daoism say that the Dao (or Tao) can neither be taught nor defined. Yet, it is everything, but also nothing. Daoism literally translates to "the way." What does the way mean? Well, that's for every follower to decide for themselves. Sounds confusing, but it's about self-enlightenment. Daoism is a guide - a guide for you to seek answers yourself.
Hustle culture tells us to keep moving forward faster and faster always working and calculating, whereas Wu Wei tells us to take a step back. We're made to feel guilty for just being. We feel like we always have to be doing something - like be more productive, be more busy. Well, Wu Wei is here to say that you don't. It says to slow down and taste your life a bit more jackass! I find this extremely insightful for living better daily while in pursuit of what you want from life. It's about balance. If this intrigues you then I suggest you keep reading.
What is Wu-Wei?
Wu in Chinese translates to non, no, or not, negations. Wei translates to action or force.
Putting this together the Wu Wei translation is no action, non-force, or negating force. To do nothing, non-action. I like to think of it as doing less - as in more effortless living and being.
Wu Wei meaning is the principle of not forcing anything that you do too much
This is a fundamental principle of Daoism.
What is Daoism?
Daoism is a Chinese philosophy founded around 600 BC by Lao Tzu, also known as Laozi. Daoism is about living a more natural and happier life through mindfulness, patience, letting go, and stillness. In the west we pronounce Taoism with a T, which is wrong - it's a D. This is a problem of when we romanized and translated the Chinese language many years ago.
Now, many people think that "Wu Wei" means to do nothing at all, always be passive. It does not mean this. Wu Wei is about understanding the flow of life. It's about being in touch with the natural state of things. The natural flow, the tide of existence.
When we go against this flow, life can get messy. When we know how to move with it though, in just the right way, we can live in a constant state of pure being and happiness, instead of worry and dread. It's using energy in a way that is used well, in line with enjoyment, of being more blissful, as opposed to forcing things and being without ease.
When we overwater plants or crops to make them grow faster, they die..
But when we tend to plants daily, give them just the right amount of care, they eventually blossom beautifully, wholly, and completely. We should view our life this way with our relationships, our careers, and our personal well-being.
It goes against nature to force will on other living things. The plant or crops themselves have their own purposes and their own energy dynamics that help them grow, and our interference may be detrimental.
If we try and force somebody to love us too fast, they will run away from us.
Life moves at its own pace. Other people move at their own natural pace. A river does not flow because it wants to, it just does because that is its nature, the way it is. Everything has its own way of functioning - that is not always up to us to decide what it should or should not be doing.
Life takes time, and we naturally have to allow things to move naturally, to allow them to be the way they are.
If you are discontent with where you are in your life it may be because you are only focusing on the end result of what you want - rather than enjoying the natural state of being the thing you actually want to become.
If you want to become a life coach, is it because you want to have the title of a life coach, or do you actually want to learn and help people? You shouldn't focus on the title or end result, but on learning how to best help others - and then do it. Then you will become it.
If you want to be a lawyer, don't focus on the title, but the process of being the best lawyer you can be to help people. Then one day, you will naturally be that. You aren't thinking "when-when-when will I be a lawyer...?" Your focus on wanting to become the best lawyer to help others makes will make it naturally happen. How can I make a difference? How can I help this person or these people? That is a focus on the natural state of being something.
Focus on becoming the thing you want to be, not the end result
When we force things too much and we expect them to happen faster, we become unhappy. We become anxious. We are not living in peace. We live in sadness wondering why things aren't happening the way we are willing them to.
It's about acceptance and letting go of your control - while in pursuit of a new sense of control. Get it? That's ok. It takes time.
Backwards Law by Alan Watts
I've done a video on the backwards law or reversed effort. This "less is more" idea has helped to shape my life. Instead of focusing on the end result of being a world-traveled musician, I just became the best musician I could be, then it eventually happened for me. Because I focused on the actions of being, I became it.
Alan Watts was one of the greatest modern philosophers who insisted that the more we want something, the less of it we get. This is because the way the mind works is that, what we actually want reinforces that we don't have it. So, it's ok to want, but decide it, let it go, and realize that if even you don't get it, you can still be happy. Happiness shouldn't be linked or attached to things. As Buddha said, attachment is the root cause of suffering.
Learning to live contently without the constant focus on the fruits of your labor, allows for a deeper connection with yourself and the universe, your purpose, who you are. In essence, it is "faith."Faith in yourself and faith in the universe. This is the ultimate exercise for letting things go, and living with a "less is more" attitude.
When you understand the universe is working for you and stay consistent, your actions will eventually pay off. This way you are more practical and enjoy the journey instead of waiting to be harmonious - you just become harmonious now. To me, I feel like this is the essence of Wu-Wei.
Effortless action or less is more does not mean that there is no effort at all. It means the action you take should be more intelligent, more natural, and more intentional towards mindful peaceful living.
If I force someone to do something to get my way, I may get my way, but this person may be irritated at me for it. This will create tension and anger and disharmony in my life.
If I want to be the head of a company or a department, and I climb the corporate ladder by hurting others and stepping over people, I may get my way, but I will not live an enlightened and harmonious life. I will most likely have regret, enmity, or malice with others.
In society, we often validate effort more than anything else. We should be validating so many other aspects of life.
Hustle culture pushes us to constantly be working and it is often rewarded. But because of this many people live daily with anxiety, worry, and unhappiness. They're constantly scared. They constantely feel their survival is threatened unless they do whatever it takes to do better in someone elses eyes. So, you have to ask yourself, is this how you want to live?
When we do less (in our minds), more can actually be accomplished overall in our lives. You can focus on doing a job right. You can have integrity in what you do. You can be a leader. But, you need to show the actions of a leader first... Get it? This shouldn't be accomplished by saying to yourself "I want to be a leader so people look up to me. I want to be a leader to appear better than others." No no no, my friend... Leaders are they because they possess all the qualities a leader should possess. It takes time, learning, and effort.
Nature does not hurry or have a schedule, yet all things are accomplished. If you try to squeeze sand, it will only fall out of your hand...
4 WAYS TO PRACTICE WU-WEI IN YOUR DAILY LIFE
1) Believe in yourself and don't try to convince others - Don't overcompensate and put on a show with your life. Live it truly and sincerely.
2) Be content with what you're doing and don't seek others' approval - Those who are truly content don't need permission.
3) Accept who you are and don't apologize for it
4) Always be present in everything you do - Take time to appreciate everything going on around you. There is always something happening to be grateful for.
Hope this helped. Let me know your thoughts below.
Matt Jones is a writer and entrepreneur who enjoys inspiring and motivating others. He is also a professional musician who has been to over 40 different countries on all 7 continents.
His personal mission is to create and inspire. He is from Los Angeles but is now based in Greater London. His book "Life 2.0" is available on Amazon as well as his new release "Unlock Your Power."
