Wu-wei | The Art of Letting Things Happen

Despite humanity’s technological developments and will to progress, we’re still utterly dependent on nature. Human effort has its limitations and is always in conjunction with nature. We cannot grow a plant, for example, completely isolated from natural growth, even though we can influence and manipulate it.

The reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, stated that the world governs itself. It doesn’t need our intervention. As Lao Tzu wrote: “When you arrive at non-action, nothing will be left undone.” End quote. This idea resembles the basic understanding of the paradoxical concept “wu-wei.”
But when we look for a definition of wu-wei, we quickly discover that there isn’t one fixed meaning.

Some translate wu-wei as “non-action,” or “doing nothing,” others as “actionless action,” and others as “effortless action.”
We find out that Taoism offers several layers, if you will, regarding how wu-wei can enhance our relationship with the world. And how this ancient art of “letting things happen” doesn’t necessarily make us passive, ignorant bystanders but can actually improve how we act, leading to better outcomes.

This video (Wu-wei | The Art of Letting Things Happen) serves as a humble attempt to make the depth of this philosophical idea clear and practical.

Support the channel:
✔️ Bitcoin: 3HQnEz1LQ4G6dqN2LdZgzc7qoJjJCyWjTC
(Donated BTC and want in the credits? Send me an email with the amount/address)

🎞️ Animations by Munkaa:

Purchase Stoicism for Inner Peace (affiliate links):

Purchase Unoffendable (affiliate links):

Merchandise:
🛍️ Merchandise design by Punksthetic Art:

All music used is licensed and paid for.

Creative Commons (attributions):

#TAOISM #WUWEI #LAOTZU

00:00 - Intro
02:05 - Wrestling with nature
05:19 - Acting for the act itself
07:57 - The uncarved block

[dynastdeez]

Nature does not hurry, yet all things are accomplished. The tighter we grasp the sand, the more sand falls through the hand.

[AlejandroMinnelli]

"A Zen student went to a temple and asked how long it would take him to gain enlightenment if he joined the temple.
-10 years, said the Zen master.
-Well, how about if I really work hard and double my effort?
-In that case, 20 years."

[MayasMission]

Do not force, do not chase, let things flow! Love it

[plantmama]

“Situations often solve themselves” - I’ve found this to be 100% accurate. I’m often quick to judge, get angry, become overly emotional and find myself in disagreements about things I don’t understand. But when I let go, am patient and allow things to be I find the problem is solved in it’s own time with little interference, conflict, questions are answered and my assumptions were off or completely wrong. If there’s an issue (and it doesn’t require immediate response because sometimes it does) then there’s no rush to solve it. If it’s a problem today it’ll likely be a problem tomorrow. It’s often our ego’s that cloud our judgement and make us overly emotional or demand that we need to be right - right NOW. I find it’s best to allow my emotions to naturally subside so I don’t say something I’ll regret or ultimately make matters worse. It can be challenging but life will fix itself when we get out of it’s way. Thank you so so much for this.

[edupsousa]

This concept remembers me of a quote from Marcus Aurelius: "Take the shortest route, the one that nature planned—to speak and act in the healthiest way. Do that, and be free of pain and stress, free of all calculation and pretension."

[sentientpower]

As far as I know I wasn’t asked if I wanted to be born in a human body, so I accept it. I doubt I’ll be asked how or when I want to die, so I accept it. With this knowledge why would I complain about things not going my way? It’s never been my way. So I accept it and go with the flow.

It’s the way of the Universe and it’s best to align yourself with it.

[krowkovtuber]

einzelganger: * posts video *
everyone: ah shit, here we *grow* again

[swhite]

I had a great awakening through gardening . Everyone always complimented my “ green thumb” but I felt silly accepting such a compliment because it was clear to me that I wasn’t doing anything besides maybe making sure my potted plants were given water. Everything is happening on its own. The seed sprouts a grows without anyone or anything doing it. The same happens with us. We are not doing anything even though it can appear we are efforting. The same force that moves the planets and sprouts the seeds is the same force that is typing this message . You can let things happen or fight every step of the way, either way it’s not YOU doing it .

[MindsettoMastery]

Negative emotions are unavoidable. If you feel bad, that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with you. Don't try to run away from it, because whatever you resist will persist. Give yourself permission to accept, then let go. 💫

[stellav]

I have been taught that I have to try my best, but the most certain result is I'm exhausted as I tried too hard. This is a tough time for me, and maybe for everyone else on this planet. This video is like a reminder. Let it go.

[sallylemon]

A dude was bragging to me on all his achievements, he was really a hustler. He asked me what were my achievements, I told "nothing." He said if I achieved nothing in these 27 years, I'm not gonna achieve anything in the next 27 years. This guy has his office above mine. Few months later his office closed down, his business downsized back to the way he started, on laptop running over cafés, in fact slowed down more with hardly any projects in. On the other hand, my office still running to this day, through struggle and hard times during pandemic thank God we still have sustenance coming in, keep working what we've been working to live and progress. What I meant before when I told him "nothing" was, there was nothing for me to brag and be arrogant in, most importantly there was nothing for me to profile on my achievements as I wasn't looking for job with him.

[Jooney]

"Problems solve themselves eventually" is one of my favorite quotes. And I also often say: "a flower doesn't bloom in winter", meaning that everything happens in a right time and it's useless to push it.
But people working in business don't like to hear that 😆
Anyway I agree with everything that was said in the video 🙂

[TheDhammaHub]

It is the same principle as in so many other philosophies & spiritual traditions. If you want to control the uncontrollable, you create all kinds of obstacles for yourself

[DemetriPanici]

*"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." Charles Spurgeon*

[ElvenScholarMusings]

As a Zen student we are taught that what is considered an accurate translation of We-Wei is not non-action but non-calculated action. We are to take action, as the moment dictates, as nature requires. We act in accordance with nature as the moment requires, a non-calculated action, one involved in the moment, in the Now ...

[tat]

Also known as "God grant me the strength to change what I could change, the serenity to accept what I couldn’t and the wisdom to know which is which".

[tabularasa_br]

My day always gets a tad better whenever Einzelgänger publishes another video. Best channel on Youtube!

[johngarbutt]

"The Centipede was happy quite,
Until a Toad in fun
Said, “Pray, which leg goes after which?”
And worked her mind to such a pitch,
She lay distracted in a ditch
Considering how to run."

- Katherine Craster

[elodyluna]

Honestly, I’m doing this emotionally more conscious than ever right now. I’m going through a breakup and suffering a lot, facing fears so deep I can’t help myself whilst triggered. So I’m simply putting the focus on what does feel in my control, and I’m letting the process of grief happen in it’s own time, not following my mind/overthinking or ego, but choosing to go with my gut and the natural way my body heals. I feel like I trust the process of the body (emotional body too) to cleanse and repair itself automatically, which feels like such a relief. ♥️

[PhilosophiesforLife]

Brilliant video as always and congrats on hitting 1 million subscribers. Truly deserved and thank you for inspiring all us.