Taoweblog

Let us now look at one of the most central ideas in Taoism – Wu Wei. Translated most directly, wu wei means "without making, causing, or doing." Benjamin Hoff points out that the symbol for wu wei developed from the symbols for a clawing hand and a monkey – no tampering with things, no Monkeying Around.

Here the metaphor of water shows itself perhaps most directly. Wu wei is the efficiency of water flowing. It does not stop to move rocks out of its way, or trim the grass at the edge of a stream, or put effort into separating the fish into those it will carry with it and those it will throw out onto the shore. Tao flows over and around, seeking the path of least resistance, and carrying or not carrying as it is in the nature of things to be carried or left where they are.

In the book, The Tao of Pooh, there is an example of applying wu wei. The author cannot force open the lid of a jar. He gives it to Pooh, who opens it effortlessly, no grunting or groaning. "Twist as hard as you can, and then, as you breathe out, twist."

Not long after I read the book the first time, I was opening what seemed to me a stubborn jar. Long proud of my physical strength, I was wrestling mightily, determined to prove that my physical prowess was equal to any jar lid task. Grunt, groan, strain. Then I remembered wu wei. I took a deep breath, and relaxed. I thought to myself of open jar lids, and simply twisted. Pop! Open.

More recently, the same thing occurred I went playing. "slow and easy does it." Whenever I remembered to relax, not rush, not tense up, not try to tell the ball to go this way or that way, the play was beautiful. Wu wei. Do without doing.

Which leads me to a consideration of living according to Tao, or the Way. In the Tao te Ching it says: "The sage’s way of Tao is the way of water. There must be water for life to be, and it can flow wherever. And water, being true to being water, is true to Tao. Those on the Way of Tao like water need to accept where they find themselves; and that may often be where water goes: the lowest places, and that is right. Like a lake, the heart must be calm and quiet having great depth beneath it."