Taoism > The Basics

What is Wu-Wei (Nondoing)?

Wu-Wei - translated nonaction, inaction or nondoing - is one of the most important Taoist concepts.

As one of the features of the Tao - the creator and sustainer of everything in the Universe – wu-wei means the actionless of Heaven, like in the following abstract from Tao-te ching:

The Tao in its regular course does nothing (for the sake of doing it), and so there is nothing which it does not do. (Legge, chapter 37)

In the terms of Alan Watts, wu-wei is "what we mean by going with the grain, rolling with the punch..." (Tao: The Watercourse Way , Pantheon Books, 1973.)

Aikido is a living illustration of the nondoing concept. The practitioner is moving along with his opponent instead of resisting his attacks

Nondoing is a pragmatic concept inspired by the Tao itself, that leads to a way of life proposed both to Taoist sages and rulers.

Example of Wu-Wei Practice

There's a well known saying that approximate the wu-wei practice. In short is says: It is better to wait for the tide to pull your boat to shore than to force yourself to pull it to shore.

The first action is without effort, therefore it is an example of acting with wu-wei.

Further Resources:

A paper dealing with nondoing was published in our paperstore section. Click here to learn more.

Nondoing and its connection with other basic Taoist concepts are further explained in our courses: Lao-tzu and Tao-te ching and initiation into Taoism, level 1 and 3.

Read also:

• Tao
   
• Te
   
• Wu (emptiness)
   
• Fu (return)
   
• Yin-Yang

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