Taoist idea of Wu Wei (beliefs, experience, Zen, taoism)

[Master Vigil]

"Wu Wei" in taoism translates into "effortless action." (Or something of that nature.) It is a concept that utilizes the idea of allowing the Tao to pass chi along unhindered. Meaning, If we would just let the flow of chi take its natural course, then all actions would be made to its necessary fullness, no more, no less.

What do you think about this concept? Or if you have a different idea of what Wu Wei is, please post. I have been fascinated by it for as long as I've been studying taoism. I would love to discuss it with anyone of you.

[anders]

A person knowing a little Chinese and no Daoism who tries to translate wu wei, will probably arrive at "do nothing". The web tool Babel Fish answers "inactivity". To me, it means more of "do not interfere", as an admonition not to disturb other people or Nature: do not act unnecessarily; follow Nature's Way (tao/dao = way, road). Let life, as you write, "take its natural course".

I have not seen much of the concept of chi/qì. I just note that the most common meaning seems to be "matter", in which case it fits into an interpretation of wu wei as "to let everything take its natural course". There are other meanings of qì. Some of them are too far away from my view of the world.

[Master Vigil]

Chi is definitely an experiential thing. But its an amazing experience.

[dudley thoth]

When practising Ving Tsun (the only form of Kung fu devised by a woman/women, i think), my old man (so he told me) can feel Chi flowing powerfully through his body. Ving Tsun is said to be the simplist yet most effective form of chinese boxing. More 'reactive' than 'active'.

[Runt]

Ever since I was a little kid my dad has told me to "Just be". It has created the ongoing joke-greeting between us:

"How are you?"

"I be."

Is this Taoist thought? I know my Dad has studied Taoism a little bit, and says that he agrees with it, but I've never known what is Taoist thought and what is not... If this IS Taoist thought, I wonder how many other Taoist philosophies he has taught me without me knowing what they are or where they come from... it would help explain how I arrived at beliefs similar (or even identical?) to those in Taoism without having any clue what Taoism is... o.O

[Master Vigil]

Taoism focuses alot of the simplicity of nature. Much as Zen does as well. Once a student asked his master, how will I know the Tao? The master asked the student if he was hungry? The student answered, "I am." and the master said, you are, and the Tao is as well.

What does this mean?? It means, the Tao, is just as you are, because you are part of the Tao. So to "just be." Could mean, just be like the Tao. Simple yet unimaginable. I would say it is much like a Taoist thought.

Chi flows through your body whether you can feel it or not. To be able to harness it and use it to achieve wu wei, is one of taoism's focus in meditation.

[dudley thoth]

ZEN POEM

The moon's the same old moon,
The flowers exactly as they were,
Yet I've become the thingness
Of all the things I see!

('World of the Buddha' ed by Lucien stryk, 1968, p.343)

[Master Vigil]

He who knows men is clever,
He who knows himself has insight.
He who conquers men has force,
He who conquers himself is truly strong.
He who knows when he has got enough is rich,
And he who adheres assiduously to the path of Tao is a man of steady prupose.
He who stays where he has found his home endures long.
And he who dies but perishes not enjoys real longevity.

Chapter 33- Tao Te Ching

[dudley thoth]

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

He who knows men is clever,
He who knows himself has insight.
He who conquers men has force,
He who conquers himself is truly strong.
He who knows when he has got enough is rich,
And he who adheres assiduously to the path of Tao is a man of steady prupose.
He who stays where he has found his home endures long.
And he who dies but perishes not enjoys real longevity.

Chapter 33- Tao Te Ching

'He' sounds just like Jesus to me!

[painted wolf]

"slide.... "
the penguin totem from 'fight club'

wa:-do