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, chap. 37)
Regarding the human behavior, wu-wei refers to not forcing the things on their way, or to the action without effort. In the terms of
Aikido is a living illustration of the wu-wei concept. The practitioner is moving along with his opponent instead of resisting his attacks. |
To conclude with, wu-wei is a pragmatic concept inspired by the Tao itself which leads to a way of life proposed both to sages and rulers.
Further Resources:
A paper dealing with wu-wei 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:
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