The Daoist mindset of wu wei refers to a state of being in which our actions are aligned with the natural rhythm of the universe to achieve harmony without force. It’s a kind of “going with the flow” attitude that is characterized by great ease — without forcing or trying too hard — that allows us to respond intuitively to situations as they arise.
Wu wei asks us to accept things as they are, embracing imperfection and allowing things to unfold naturally. It means letting things happen the way they’re meant to happen, not how we want them to happen. A wu wei mindset involves letting go of our expectations and not over-thinking or over-doing.
Trust that whatever is meant to be yours, already is.
Allow the universe room to work, and the path will reveal itself.
Those who flow with the universe know they need no other force.
According to the central text of Daoism, the Dao De Jing “the Way never acts yet nothing is left undone.” The paradox of wu wei is that striving less — rather than trying harder — often generates more success. It doesn’t mean not acting, but rather, effortless action.
Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves… Flow like water, my friend.
Bruce Lee
While “doing nothing” sounds like an open invitation to surrender, or worse, fall into apathy, this is not the case. Rather, wu wei is about allowing things to happen naturally and letting go of the need to control. It emphasizes taking action when necessary, without excessive effort or tension.
Historically, wu wei has found expression in the choice made by some Daoist adepts to withdraw from society to live the life of a hermit, wandering freely through mountain meadows, meditating for long stretches in caves, and being nourished in a very direct way by the energy of the natural world. But adapting a wu wei mindset is even more critical for those of us living in the thick of modern day culture, bombarded by outside expectations and demands that fail to align with our own internal ideals.
Daoism & Stoicism – related schools of thought from the east and west
Both Daoism and Stoicism seek to answer the question of how we can find harmony in a chaotic world while living a life that is meaningful and balanced.
Daoism: fundamental beliefs
Daoism is an ancient philosophical and religious tradition from ancient China that advocates for living in harmony with the Dao – the natural order of the universe – a principle that is said to pervade all aspects of existence.
The best way to align oneself with the Dao is to practice wu wei or non-doing. Individuals are encouraged to live an uncomplicated life, free from excessive desires and ambitions, which are seen as the root cause of all human dissatisfaction and unrest. Flexibility, and the wisdom of knowing when to act and when to step back, are essential. A follower of the Dao strives to adapt oneself to the patterns and rhythms of the natural world instead of striving to change these patterns to suit their own personal goals.
Stoicism: basic tenets
The philosophy of Stoicism can be traced back to ancient Greece. This school of thought emphasizes personal virtue and wisdom as the key to a well-lived life. Stoicism argues that the path to happiness (more accurately, eudaimonia) lies not in attempting to reshape the world according to our own desires – which is seen as a fool’s errand – but in radical acceptance of reality and placing our attention solely on the things we can control.
Stoicism is grounded in the reality of daily life, encouraging patience and an attitude of embracing one’s fate. By developing an understanding of the workings of the universe, as well as our place within it, Stoicism provides a framework for dealing with the trials of life with grace and resilience. It teaches that self-control and fortitude are the way to overcome destructive emotions and behaviors. Living in accordance with nature (both actual nature, as well as our own nature) represents the way to achieve tranquility, as well as to garner the strength required to pursue moral excellence.
Ultimately, Stoicism encourages us to focus on what we can control, and accept what we cannot, which leads to emotional resilience and inner strength. Adherents to Stoicism develop a strong sense of self-discipline, the ability to remain calm in the face of adversity, and a deep understanding of the importance of personal responsibility. If Stoicism were to be summed up in five teachings, they would be:
Recognize what you can and cannot control
Acknowledge that you determine your reaction to a crisis
Ignore people dominated by their own negative emotions
Master yourself and aim to be virtuous
Learn to move on
Daoism & Stoicism: Similarities
Despite appearing in vastly different cultural and historical contexts, both schools of thought have profound insights to offer when it comes to the question of living in greater harmony with the world and achieving inner peace. Both Daoism and Stoicism share a core concept of aligning oneself with the natural order of things by accepting what cannot be controlled and focusing on actions within one’s power – to flow with the natural rhythms of Nature, rather than actively resisting or forcing outcomes. They both emphasize a strong commitment to live in harmony with the world, seek inner peace through self-reflection, mindful action and detachment from external events, and strive for balance in all things.
Acceptance of what cannot be controlled
Both Stoics and practitioners of wu wei are encouraged to accept situations beyond their control and focus on their own reactions and responses.
Non-attachment to outcomes
Neither philosophy emphasizes fixating on achieving specific results, instead promoting a focus on the quality of one's actions and aligning them with the natural flow of events.
Inner peace through mindful action
Both philosophies encourage self-awareness and deliberate actions that are in harmony with the natural world, leading to a sense of inner calm.
Differences between Daoism and Stoicism
Despite their similarities, Daoism and Stoicism do differ in several significant ways, with opposing views on the possibility of understanding the universe, the best way to pursue virtue, and how active or passive we should be in life.
Possibility of Understanding the Universe
From a Stoic perspective, the universe is rational and orderly, guided by a divine providence (“the Logos”) which humans can decipher through reason. In contrast, Daoists see the universe as an ever-changing, dynamic, and mysterious entity. It is governed by the Dao, which lies beyond human comprehension, and cannot be described using language, only intuition.
Emphasis on virtue
Stoicism places a strong emphasis on cultivating specific virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance as the foundation for a good life, while wu wei focuses on aligning with the Dao (natural way) through effortless action.
Active vs. passive approach
While both philosophies encourage aligning with the natural order, Stoicism is slightly more active in terms of taking deliberate actions to manage one's thoughts and emotions, whereas wu wei is more passive, emphasizing "non-doing" or effortless action.
Stoicism and Daoism both share themes of acceptance, mindfulness, and pursuing inner peace or enlightenment (called ‘tranquility’ in Stoicism). Fundamentally, both schools of thought attempt to offer a response to the problem of human suffering and the pursuit of happiness, albeit in different ways. Stoicism proposes that we can achieve tranquility by focusing on what we can control, namely our own minds and attitudes. Alternately, Daoism suggests that harmony and balance with nature can lead to a calm and fulfilling life.
The ancient Daoists introduced the concept of wu wei which urges individuals to align their actions with the natural flow of existence, becoming one with nature rather than attempting to dominate it. The Stoics echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between matters within and outside one’s control. The Stoics advocated for non-action and non-reaction, asserting that worrying about external circumstances beyond one’s control is futile. The fundamental Stoic principle is clear: focus on what you can control, and let go of the rest.
Embracing this 2,000 year old Chinese mindset in your daily life
Accept things as they are. Recognize that you can’t control everything or everyone, but you can make the best of every situation.
Embrace imperfection. Allow things to unfold in their own natural way, without forcing the outcome.
Implement mindfulness. Mindfulness means being aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
The profound wisdom embedded in the concepts of wu wei and Stoicism offers a transformative journey towards a more balanced and mindful existence. By understanding and applying these principles, we can navigate the complexities of life with grace, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to self-mastery.
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