Understanding Wuwei: The Daoist Art of Going With the Flow

Wuwei is a core concept in Daoist philosophy that involves letting go of control and letting things happen naturally. It's often translated as "non-action," but it's not about being inactive or passive. Instead, it's about aligning with the flow of the universe and acting in a way that is effortless and harmonious. In this video, we explore the meaning and significance of wuwei and how Daoist philosophers interpreted it. Whether you're familiar with Daoism or just curious about this ancient Chinese philosophy, this video will provide a deep understanding of wuwei and its role in cultivating a balanced and fulfilling life.

[markadams]

The example of the water flowing around rock instead of trying to move it, yet, gradually eroding the stone helps me to understand the idea much better.

[vashsunglasses]

The idea of "uselessness" as a good thing is really helpful to me as a disabled person who cannot work. I have other value to the world that isn't providing labor for money.

[pennyforyourthots]

Personally, I think I find the "effortless action" interpretation is perhaps the more interesting and useful interpretation. Acting authentically where you best belong rather than being forced into a role you are not fit for.

I think the interesting thing about it is that it doesn't really lead you to any particular conclusions. What you see as "the rock" and what you see as "the water" probably heavily varies from person to person.

[mythosandlogos]

The story of Bruce Lee punching water and only tiring himself out comes to mind. And his precept, “Be water, my friend, ” is very much Wu Wei.

[lshulman]

My own understanding of this concept (which I actually discovered through my own personal insight, before ever being aware of Taoism): to do things without intention, acting that comes naturally (nature thus acts by the principle of Wu-Wei). I put it thusly: "Fruits fall when ripe, if we pick them too soon, they turn out sour." It is about watching and waiting until circumstances are just so, then jump in and "ride the wave" to success. But don't wait too long or hesitate, as you may then "miss the boat." "Let it happen; don't make it happen."

[flovv]

I am reading the comments and I see that so many ppl misunderstand the dao/flow concept.
Lao Tzu may have lived a very simple life, but just because someone is simple and "goes with the flow" it does NOT mean that they are a FOOL....remember that. Because he knows himself, he also knows you, your sees right through you.
A person of the Dao is wise therefore cannot be manipulated. A person that is aligned with the Dao always knows what the right action/response is in any what to do, when to do it NOT to act. It takes wisdom.

Lao Tzu would not let others walk all over him. He would even use violence to defend himself IF attacked. Daoists are not vegetables.

[Parabola]

Contemplating the concept of the Dao never fails to calm my mind. It is as simple as it is deep.

[se-lene]

I think the wuwai is a good approach for when we struggle with making decisions, choices and overthinking about something that might go wrong or turn bitter in the future.
It's common for people to stress over what happens in their life and try to control the flow of their lives by " making sure they always made the right choice ", but this is impossible, yet something that turns out to be bad in the beginning, might actually prove itself useful in the future.

Another example could be living based on what your family/society wants to do do and be, and ignoring your calling. You make your family / society proud and get recognition and appreciation, but you are unable to live your true purpose because you let others control and influence what you do, therefore you aren't going with the flow.

[rmglabog]

You're my best lecturer in religion. It's not boring, i don't feel sleepy.

[flovv]

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

- Lao Tzu

[longschlongsilver]

I can imagine Laozi having tea with Winnie the Pooh, discussing life and philosophy. Laozi is taking notes and learning many lessons from this enlightened sage, while Pooh bear has no idea what Laozi is talking about

[kweassa]

Perhaps it would be also helpful to mention that the times the Daoist traditions arose, were the most chaotic, hectic, and bloody period in the history of China, being the Warring States Period (mid-5th century BCE - 221 BCE).

The Warring States were all about power, ambition, and the will and intent to fight, survive, annex and conquer through power. What began as an estimated 1, 500 large and small independent states in the beginning of the Spring&Autumn Period (mid-8th century BCE ~), ended up around 120 states at the beginning of the WSP, and in the final days of the WSP boiled down to around 7. In that context, it's not hard to see where and why the Daoist beliefs arose.

[jackkraken]

Mother:'You're useless!"
Kid:"I know, I'm following the Dow"

[hey.its.BrandishJaye]

Unbothered. Moisturized. Happy. In My Lane. Focused. Flourishing.

[OmniphonProductions]

As you talked about the rock, the river, and not striving for a goal, I thought of two things. The Zen Archer never things about the bulls eye, understanding that by perfecting each step in the process, the arrow will eventually reach the bulls eye "on its own". Then there's a concept in Sociology called _Intergroup Contact Theory._ While the march of progress for marginalized groups has _definitely_ benefited from people who _push against the stone, _ it has also largely benefited from people getting to know (or _finding out_ that somebody they already know _is)_ a _member_ of such a group. Simply by being _themselves, _ as nature made them (inactive), they make (active) those around them come to terms with their own irreconcilable prejudice.

[Damons-Old-Soul]

I have heard it put as "Action without thought." It was explained as a skilled archer trapped in a ring by some malevolent creature. The only way out was to hit the creature with an arrow. The hard part was that the creature knew all your thoughts. So you would think to shoot and the creature would move and you would miss. In the end, the archer was able to just shoot off an arrow with no forethought to it. With no thought, the creature was unable to know it was coming and it got hit by the arrow.
This also goes into being one with The Dao. When you are one with The Dao, you have no need for thought. Like the river, you just flow through life.
One of the early ones he states is action without action. In this it is the difference between "Making" something happen and "Allowing" it to happen. Say you have a cylinder of water with no top. It is completely full. You are told to put air in the cylinder. "Making" air go into the cylinder would be opening an air hose in the cylinder. The air pushes the water out and takes its place (making a mess in the process). "Allowing" air into the cylinder would be to open a spout at the bottom and let water drain out of the cylinder and thus cause a vacuum that air goes into (controlled and with no force).

Hope this helps some to better understand these concepts.

[deacudaniel]

I'm so excited for your new video! Love your series about Taoism.I was first introduced to Taoist philosophy in the 9th grade when I've first read a translation of Laozi in my language, and encountered this 無為, translated as something like "action through non-action".It didn't make any sense to me so I gave up.After I finished high school and went to study in China, I've got introduced to Taoism again in a better way, had more clarity on the 無為 concept, and became one of favorite philosophies ever since.

[TheJayJayYoung]

I think many non Chinese have misunderstood the actual meaning of Bu Wei, it’s a vocabulary of Classical Chinese, not modern Chinese. The phrase is 无为而无不为 wu wei er wu bu wei which loosely translates as non action while not no actions. It means your actions must be done in consistency with the nature of things without any of your interference yet your actions was the ideal outcome, as how it should have been. In layman’s term, you have put in a lot of effort to ensure your selfless performance is the desired outcome that meets the general expectations of another with nothing in return. That’s why it is important to find your own way. Dao De Jing (Dao De also means moral ethics) is meant as a guideline to become a ideal person. A belief of idealism. If one fails to be in harmonious with the way of his path, it means the path is not suitable for him, and he should moved on. I hope this helps.

[LukeVilent]

I think this is the time to say that, along with Anton Petrov, Indy Nydell/Spartacus Olsson and Lex Friedman, you are one of those educational YouTubers I am fully committed to and watch every video of. The value of your content is hard to overestimate.

[joegartland]

The way I interpret this is sort of living a non-performative life, by being your authentic self regardless of the situation and allowing life to happen around you whilst also participating in it as it comes. I like that it's open to interpretation too, that's a very Wuwei approach to Wuwei lol