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Taoist Writings: What are the philosophical underpinnings of Wu Wei?

Updated: Jul 31

tao wrtings on wu wei


Wu Wei is not philosophical so it has no underpinnings. Wu Wei was happening before mankind arrived and need not be considered. In some ways, the considering of it is the opposite of it.


Wu Wei is being without being and doing without doing. It is the unfolding of creation (Yang) flowing and unfolding as it does, without desire or obstacle, without a mind or plan, yet has the full power (Te) of creation through it.


What is called the Tao (Yin) is endlessly still and silent. Darkness within darkness, mystery within mystery. Yet present before us through the existence of its creation. Can you look at anything and notice the Tao rather than its energy?


Mankind has created a peculiar situation, which really isn’t a situation at all, but it appears like one. Mankind’s self-awareness has taken on the guise of individuality. Man wants some things and not others. People fear this and hope for that. Not realising this and that is the same Tao.


When “we” grow tired of our circumstances we might act through frustration. We could be doing this through a lens of partial understanding as we are not aware of all things flowing and unfolding around us. If “we” want something badly enough we might try to force it into being sooner. We may begin a plan and try to succeed at something that brings personal wealth. We may recognise others and our natural compassion grows beyond its wild self into a trap of thinking. And from the standpoint of the self, we interfere.


“We” are Tao. “Others” are the same Tao.


Wu Wei is happening but not to anything. It unfolds with no particular result in mind. Where it begins and ends is hard to determine because it doesn’t begin or end. It belongs to the endless.


If we forget our “we”, our “I”, and ignore ideas of philosophy and Wu Wei, and we become aware that thoughts of the self are being noticed by something we rarely question… then the “I” that did not exist, steps out of the way of itself, and Wu Wei flows naturally, unsullied, and unchanged. And nothing interferes with its flow.


Here life unfolds with the weight of the universe behind it. In contrast, mankind’s creations from an underpinning of separation are weak and lack root.


If you want the former, you should unlearn, and be of life in the moment with no interest in outcomes. Then you might notice that what you are observing is the same as what is noticing.






















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