Wu Wei: the philosophy of non-action

Today's hectic pace of life, together with the crisis situations that surround us and the need for speed and immediacy that our own awareness of western culture transmits to us, makes us wander through life overworried. This supposes an immense psychological exhaustion and can lead to numerous alterations of the state of mind.

However, would we be able to adopt a contrary position or state of mind? This is what the Wu Wei, an oriental philosophy, proposes which, through "non-action" or natural flow, encourages us to understand problems in another way. From a very calm and leisurely perspective.

• Related article: "The theory of Yin and Yang"

What is the Wu Wei?

Of Taoist origin, the Wu Wei is a powerful philosophical concept that can be literally translated as “not-doing” or “without effort”. As a result of this translation we will be able to better understand what this current of thought consists of.

According to the Wu Wei philosophy, the best way to deal with a specific life situation or circumstance is not to act. However, this concept has been widely misunderstood in Western culture, since

the Wu Wei does not defend passivity, but in the idea of ​​not forcing the situation.

For the Wu Wei philosophy, not acting does not imply doing nothing, but doing things without overexertion and through personal growth. In other words, this dynamic of Eastern thought defends doing things in a simple and natural way, without seeking urgency or forcing situations.

• You may be interested in: "How to learn to meditate, in 7 easy steps"

In defense of non-intervention

As we said, this philosophy is far from indifference or carelessness. According to the Wu Wei, inaction is something that happens naturally. A very recurring example is the one that is illustrated by the growth of a plant. It grows through inaction, it does not force its growth; however, said plant continues to develop perfectly until it can even become a strong tree. On the contrary, if we look at those occasions in which we try not to think or not to do, we will observe that this requires a great effort on our part. It is very difficult to want to do nothing, therefore, more energy is spent than we let ourselves go or flow.

This is the reason why a large number of people who start meditation end up giving up. The Western concept that meditation has traditionally had It is to force yourself not to think and try to leave your mind blank, but this is impossible. However, if they would just allow themselves to be carried away by inactivity or "no action" they would concentrate and relax more quickly.

This idea of ​​letting go through "non-action" is what the Wu Wei philosophy raises. It does not consist in remaining inert or indifferent, but in the moments in which we must do something to face a conflict, problem or decision, we do it while we flow. The Wu Wei consists of a mental state in which we are able to discern between what really requires an effort and what we such an effort will only be a waste of our time and energy.

As a general rule, in our day to day we are influenced by our state of mind and our disposition or condition. mentally, making all kinds of decisions based on these conditions and not rationally, taking into account only the facts.

All these worries, tribulations, prejudices and worries are the direct antonym of the conception that the Wu Wei has of the term flow. For example, when we think of a situation that we will have to face in the medium or long term, we allow ourselves to be influenced by intrusive ideas about what might or might not happen, imagining all the possible scenarios and wasting an immense amount of energy. All of this is the opposite of Wu Wei.

• You may be interested in: "How are Psychology and Philosophy similar?"

inaction vs. passivity

As we have specified in the previous point, the Wu Wei does not defend passivity, but quite the contrary, knowing do things spontaneously and naturally. Without letting ourselves be carried away by restlessness or restlessness.

To be more exact, one of the most important principles of Wu Wei is the one that literally says "do not you have to leave nothing undone”, only the idea is to achieve all our goals with the least wear and tear possible.

To do this, we must change our way of dealing with situations, taking into account two basic aspects:

• We must learn to trust events.
• We have to take advantage of the circumstances that are presented to us.

Following the principles of Wu Wei does not imply giving up our dreams in order not to face a series of challenges; but to remain alert to those opportunities that are presented to us and take advantage of them to achieve our objectives with the least effort or wear and tear possible.

Likewise, the Wu Wei defends that once the situation has passed or we have solved the problem we should not think about it, otherwise it is possible that we remain anchored in it, wearing down our mental health and interfering with our ability to perceive new opportunities.

The idea of ​​Wu Wei is to keep our calm despite the conflicts or problems that may appear along the way, since sooner or later they will be solved.

How can we practice this philosophy?

It is usual that, due to our culture and the western rhythm of life, we are programmed to face situations as we do, with worries, haste and anguish. However, although it may be difficult at first, if we decide to change these dynamics, we will be able to adopt the Wu Wei philosophy and its benefits.

For this we have to develop two basic skills in Wu Wei:

1. Learn to stop worrying

The first of these skills is to learn or get used to not worrying. This step It is not about ignoring conflicts, but rather about putting things in perspective. and give them the objective importance they really deserve, to then develop the relevant coping strategies.

This philosophy can be better understood under the famous precept of: “If they have a solution, why do you worry? And if there is no solution, why do you worry too?

2. learn to trust

Finally, the Wu Wei conveys to us the need to maintain trust throughout life and events, as well as our own ability to cope with them. This, and only this, is the only way to keep a clear mind and be attentive to the opportunities that appear to us.