Wu
Wei is a fundamental
principle in the Taoist way of life, sometimes translated as creative
inaction or knowing when to act and when not to act. The literal
meaning of wu wei is "without action". Perhaps it's better
described as an irresistible form of "soft and invisible"
power, an action that is so subtle, so well in accordance with the
nature of things, that there is no trace of having done the action.
There is also another uncommon interpretation of wu wei; a struggle-free,
effortless
action similar to patient
allowing that flows from the recognition and acceptance of the way
things are - within and without.
Taoism respects both yin and yang, light and darkness as two sides
of the one coin. In the original Taoist texts wu wei is often associated
with water and its yielding nature. Although water is soft and weak,
it has the capacity to erode solid stone and move mountains. Water
is without will, it uses the will of the terrain. Water may fill
any container, assume any shape, may even go into the minutest holes.
Taoist philosophy recognises that the Universe already works harmoniously
according to its own ways; and wu wei is the art of how one acts
in relation to these natural processes already extant. Wu wei provides
a subtle momentum that leads the practitioner closer and closer
to the recognition of oneness with the ineffable infinite mystery.
This.
This moment. This moment is the way it is.
"Whatever
is to be made to fall, first must be raised.
If you want to become whole, first let yourself become broken.
If you want to become straight, first let yourself become twisted.
If you want to become full, first let yourself become empty."
