Apathy and Wu Wei (moral, mysticism, experience, moral, philosophy)

[Scarlett Wampus]

Originally Posted by robtex

I may have misread what yall read but within the Tao I understand the world is in motion and your motion is either congruent to it or not congruent to it---with or not with the Tao and when you are intune with the Tao Wu Wei is the act of effortless effort.

Sometimes I've heard Wu Wei explained as the path of least resistance. Then, of course, it matters what exactly the path is and that's something that is only understood after walking it.

I guess that keys in with what Lilithu said.

There is a great book called 'Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind' that is indirectly relevant but nevertheless very relevant to all this. The author, Guy Claxton, argues that research into cognitive science has shown that patience and being open to confusion is a precursor to more efficient in the long run and effectively leads to "wisdom". What I gleam from that is that the path of least resistance might be quite contrary to what might seem easy or quick.

[zenzero]

Friend Scarlett,
Here too the same question.
Wu Wei can be understood and acted only after that realisation.
Allow the mind to rest as that itself is resisting you from getting back to existence.
Love & rgds

[Francine]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Wampus

Sometimes I've heard Wu Wei explained as the path of least resistance. Then, of course, it matters what exactly the path is and that's something that is only understood after walking it.

The path of least resistance implies a type of goal-oriented action that approaches no action as closely as possible, as if it was the choice of a lazy man. But Wu Wei is not lack of action. Wu wei is a type of effortless action that doesn't come from an egotistical desire to reach a specific goal. Wu Wei is like a sailboat following wherever the wind goes.

[zenzero]

Friends,
Francine is right.
simply put in a given circumstances one acts as per the response that is needed that moment.
eg. there is a road accident, you witness it and without any thought take the injured to the hospital or call 999 /108 etc and wait for them to provide professional help and then you are on your way without much affected by what you did; just being a witness to it all including your actions.
Tai-Chi is based on the same principle.
Love & rgds