Wuwei (无为) often translated as “non-action,” is a fundamental concept in Taoist philosophy and has an important role in the practice of Tai Chi. While it may sound like doing nothing, wuwei is actually a way of acting without forcing or interfering with natural processes. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of wuwei and its significance in Tai Chi, drawing on the works of ancient Taoist philosophers such as Liezi, Zhuangzi, and Laozi.
Understanding Wuwei
At its core, wuwei is about letting go of our ego and allowing things to unfold naturally, without our intervention. It involves being in a state of awareness, so we can respond to situations appropriately without creating resistance or conflict. It’s not about being passive, but rather actively engaging with the world around us in a way that is aligned with the flow of nature.
According to Taoist philosophy, all things arise from the Tao, or the Way, which is the ultimate reality that transcends all dualities. The Tao is not something that can be described in words, but rather something that can be experienced through direct intuition. It is the source of all life and the underlying order of the universe. To live in harmony with the Tao, we must let go of our desires, judgments, and attachments, and allow ourselves to be guided by the natural order of things.
Wuwei is not just a philosophical concept, but a practical one as well. It can be seen in the way we move, breathe, and interact with others. In Tai Chi, wuwei is embodied in the practice of slow, flowing movements that follow the natural rhythms of the body and breath. The goal is not to force the movements or achieve a specific outcome, but rather to allow the movements to emerge spontaneously from within.
Wuwei in Action
To illustrate the concept of wuwei, let’s look at some stories from ancient Taoist philosophers.
Liezi
In the Liezi 1 there is a story about Liezi riding the wind.
‘At the end of nine years my mind gave free rein to its reflections, my mouth free passage to its speech. Of right and wrong, profit and loss, I had no knowledge, either as touching myself or others. I knew neither that the Master was my instructor, nor that the other man was my friend. Internal and External were blended into Unity. After that, there was no distinction between eye and ear, ear and nose, nose and mouth: all were the same. My mind was frozen, my body in dissolution, my flesh and bones all melted together. I was wholly unconscious of what my body was resting on, or what was under my feet. I was borne this way and that on the wind, like dry chaff or leaves falling from a tree. In fact, I knew not whether the wind was riding on me or I on the wind. Now, you have not spent one whole season in your teacher’s house, and yet you have lost patience two or three times already. {p. 40} Why, at this rate, the atmosphere will never support an atom of your body, and even the earth will be unequal to the weight of one of your limbs!
(The only way to etherealize the body being to purge the mind of its passions.)
How can you expect to walk in the void or to be charioted on the wind?’
Hearing this, Yin Sheng was deeply ashamed. He could hardly trust himself to breathe, and it was long ere he ventured to utter another word.
In the story, Liezi has spent nine years practicing meditation and cultivating his mind and body. He has let go of his ego and desires, achieving a state of emptiness and unity with nature. As a result, he is able to ride the wind effortlessly, without resistance or struggle. He is in a state of Wuwei, where he is completely in harmony with nature and the world around him.
On the other hand, Yin Sheng, who is still a novice in Taoist practice, is struggling to achieve the same level of Wuwei. He is easily frustrated and loses patience, which goes against the Taoist principle of non-action. Liezi reminds him that he needs to purge his mind of passions and desires to achieve a state of emptiness, which is essential to Wuwei.
Overall, the story shows that Wuwei is not a passive or lazy approach to life, but rather an active and focused way of being that involves letting go of the ego and aligning oneself with the natural flow of the universe.
Zhuangzi
Zhuangi was a Taoist philosopher famous for his sense of humour.
In the Zhuangzi 2 there is a story about a man training a fighting cockerel.
There once was a man who wanted his fighting rooster to be more ferocious. He took the rooster to a trainer. In a few weeks’ time he returned and saw that his rooster didn’t squawk as loudly.
“Not ready yet,” said the trainer. Two weeks later he saw that his rooster barely raised his neck feathers and wings.
“Not ready yet,” said the trainer. Another week passed. His rooster looked as tame and docile as a chick.
“You’ve ruined my fine fighting bird!” screamed the man at the trainer.
“Not at all,” the trainer replied, “See how calm and secure he is, how serenely strong he stands today. The other fighting birds take one look at him and they all run away!”
This story illustrates the idea of wuwei as less is more. Rather than making a fuss and drama, calmness and serenity prevails. This is a quality cultivated by the masters of martial arts above all else, to keep your head and avoid panic. To stick to your guns when facing adversity. The other birds cannot fathom the trained bird, they see only nothingness, no fear, no anger, they flee.
Laozi
Laozi wrote the most famous book of Taoism the Tao Teh Ching but paradoxically started it off by saying that the Tao of writing is not the true Tao.
One example of Wuwei in the Tao Te Ching 3 is in Chapter 17, where it is said:
“The best leaders are those the people hardly know exist.
The next best is a leader who is loved and praised.
Next comes the one who is feared.
The worst one is the leader that is despised.”
This passage suggests that the most effective leaders are those who act with Wuwei, or non-action, by not drawing attention to themselves or forcing their will upon others. Instead, they allow things to unfold naturally and lead by example, without seeking personal glory or control. This way of leading is seen as harmonious and beneficial for both the leader and the people they serve.
Cooking a small fish can also be an example of Wuwei in the Tao Te Ching. In Chapter 64, it is said:
“A kingdom is like a great, low-lying river, The point where all the streams and torrents in the world converge. If you can keep centered and true, The kingdom will be centered and true. With Wuwei, the whole kingdom is refreshed, Without Wuwei, the kingdom becomes weary and oppressed.
Just as a small fish should not be over-handled, The ruler must not over-manage the people with force. In this way, the Tao of Heaven is reflected in the land, And all things flourish without being commanded.”
This passage suggests that just as a small fish should not be over-handled when cooking, a ruler or leader should not try to control or manipulate their people too much. Instead, they should practice Wuwei by allowing things to unfold naturally and trusting in the natural order of things. By doing so, the kingdom will be refreshed and all things will flourish without the need for force or excessive intervention.
Wuwei in Tai Chi
In Tai Chi, wuwei is embodied in the practice of slow, flowing movements that follow the natural rhythms of the body and breath. Rather than trying to force the body into a specific position or movement, Tai Chi practitioners allow the movements to arise spontaneously from within. By doing so, they cultivate a deep sense of awareness and sensitivity to the natural flow of energy within the body and the environment.
Through regular practice of Tai Chi, practitioners can develop a sense of ease and relaxation in their movements, which can help reduce stress and promote overall well-being. Tai Chi has been shown to have a range of health benefits, including improving balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular health, as well as reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Research has also shown that Tai Chi can help reduce inflammation in the body, which has been linked to a range of chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. In one study, participants who practiced Tai Chi regularly for 12 weeks showed a significant reduction in levels of inflammation compared to a control group.
How does this work? Reducing mental stress and activity through practices like Tai Chi can have a positive impact on the body’s ability to regenerate itself. This is due to the interdependent relationship between the mind and body in ancient Chinese Medicine based on Taoism, in fact, they are viewed as two aspects of a whole. By reducing mental stress, the body can allocate more time and energy to repair and rejuvenation, resulting in less wear and tear and less pressure on the system. For example, everyone has cancerous cells in their body, but the immune system typically repairs the damage and cleans up the mess. However, if there is too much work for the immune system to handle, and not enough metabolic energy to support it, cancerous cells can proliferate.
In addition to the physical benefits, Tai Chi also has a meditative aspect, which can help cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm. By focusing on the movements and the breath, practitioners can quiet the mind and enter a state of deep relaxation. This can be particularly beneficial for those who suffer from anxiety or stress-related disorders. With regular practice, this state of calm can persist until it becomes a habitual state of mind.
Wuwei in Daily Life
While Tai Chi is a powerful practice for cultivating wuwei, the principles of non-action can be applied to all areas of our lives. By letting go of our ego and allowing things to unfold naturally, we can reduce stress and create a greater sense of harmony and balance.
One way to incorporate wuwei into daily life is to cultivate awareness. Being aware means being fully present in the moment, without judgment or distraction. By cultivating awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, we can learn to respond to situations with greater clarity and equanimity.
Another way to cultivate wuwei is to practice acceptance. This involves letting go of our attachment to outcomes and allowing things to unfold as they will. Rather than trying to control every aspect of our lives, we can learn to trust in the natural order of things and allow ourselves to be guided by it.
Finally, it’s important to cultivate a sense of playfulness and curiosity in our lives. By approaching situations with a sense of openness and curiosity, we can learn to let go of our expectations and allow ourselves to be surprised by the unexpected.
Wuwei and mindfulness
Wuwei can also be translated as “no-mind” or “non-intentional action”, which implies a state of mind that is free from attachment, distraction, and mental chatter. In this state, our actions flow effortlessly and spontaneously, without any sense of self-consciousness or deliberate effort.
In this sense, the concept of wuwei goes beyond mindfulness, which may still involve a degree of intentional focus or mental effort. Wuwei emphasizes a state of mind that is completely uncontrived, and which allows our actions to arise naturally and spontaneously.
However, it’s also important to note that the concept of wuwei is not necessarily about “doing nothing” or being passive. Rather, it’s about acting in harmony with the natural flow of the universe, without imposing our own will or agenda on the world around us. In Tai Chi, for example, we practice wuwei by allowing our movements to arise naturally and effortlessly, but we still need to be actively engaged and focused in the present moment.
So, while the concept of wuwei goes beyond mindfulness, it’s still a term that describes a state of deep awareness and presence in the present moment, and a way of acting in harmony with the natural flow of the universe.
Conclusion
Wuwei is a fundamental concept in Taoist philosophy and has an important role in the practice of Tai Chi. It involves letting go of our ego and allowing things to unfold naturally, without our intervention. In Tai Chi, wuwei is embodied in the practice of slow, flowing movements that follow the natural rhythms of the body and breath.
Through regular practice of Tai Chi, practitioners can develop a deep sense of awareness and sensitivity to the natural flow of energy within the body and the environment. This can help reduce stress and promote overall well-being, as well as cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm.
While Tai Chi is a powerful practice for cultivating wuwei, the principles of non-action can be applied to all areas of our lives. By letting go of our ego and allowing things to unfold naturally, we can reduce stress and create a greater sense of harmony and balance. By practicing awareness, acceptance, and playfulness, we can cultivate a greater sense of ease and relaxation in our lives.
References:
- TAOIST TEACHINGS Translated from the Book of Lieh-Tzü with Introduction and Notes by LIONEL GILES M.A., D.Litt. [1912]
https://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/tt/tt05.htm - Zhuangzi. Translated by James Legge
- Part I of II Sacred Books of the East, Volume 39 The Writings of Kwang-dze (Chuang-tse) (Books I-XVII)[1891] https://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/sbe39/index.htm#section_003
- Part II of II Sacred Books of the East, Volume 40 https://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/sbe40/index.htm
- Laozi. Tao Te Ching. The Sayings of Lao Tzu by Lionel Giles [1905] https://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/salt/index.htm