Wu Wei

The word Wu Wei is similar to Qi, in as much as there is no direct translation into English.The English translations typically used are; Emptiness, non doing, no action, non judgemental, no aggression, no meddling, no worrying, no striving, not going against the flow, etc.

In fact all of these terms are not quite correct, yet they all give you a sense of Wu Wei.

Although these explanations may seem a little negative, Wu Wei certainly is not.

To get a deeper meaning we have to mix them all together, meditate on them and consider;

‘The understanding or truth of a ‘State of Readiness”.

Being in a state of readiness is an aspect of our true authentic nature which is a difficult concept for western society to understand, as we confuse readiness or yielding as weakness or deficiency.

But in fact it’s the opposite, it takes a tremendous inner strength and courage to have faith, in ourselves and the universe (Tao), one could say to have

“faith in fate”.

We are taught or indoctrinated from childhood to ‘be strong’, ‘show no weaknesses’, ‘the strong will survive’, ‘and don’t be a wimp’ etc.

These actions and thoughts are portrayed as being advantageous and beneficial in all situations and something we should strive to achieve.

By definition, if we don’t achieve this we are weak, deficient and some how less of a person, inadequate, therefore this is to be avoided sometimes at all costs.

If Wu Wei means being ready or yielding, it does definitely NOT mean being deficient. Deficiency is the absence of what is necessary,

Whereas Readiness or yielding is an aspect of our true nature and therefore very necessary.

It’s similar to a good tennis player, always returning to the centre of the court ready to play the next shot, in a state of readiness for whatever the next shot could be.

Not anticipating just playing each shot on it’s merit and returning to the centre.

The same as life, reacting to each situation dealing with it without being judgemental or expectation, just doing our best in every situation and then returning to the centre, in a state of readiness for the next situation.

Destiny

Watch your thoughts;

they become your words.

Watch your words;

they become your actions.

Watch your actions;

they become your habits.

Watch your habits;

they become your character.

Watch your character:

IT BECOMES YOUR DESTINY

 

Taoism

It seems almost unbelievable that a Chinese philosophy stretching back over 5,000 years is as relevant today as when it was written.

Unlikely that our ‘advanced’ modern mind could learn anything from a people who lived so long ago, people who had no concept of our modern world.

But is it my belief that they understood a Spiritual Universal truth that spans time and space, therefore if it is a truth, it equally applies yesterday, today and tomorrow, to anyone, anywhere.

So if it is true it has to apply and affect all parts of our lives and the Universe we live in, quite simply it has to, or it cannot be the truth.

Then Taoism goes one step further it gives understanding, answers, strategies and techniques to help us uncover this truth and to bring it into and use in our everyday lives.

Considering anything from a Taoist perspective may seem complicated and confusing as it is almost impossible to take any one subject on a ‘stand alone’ basis.

To gain a full understanding of a situation or topic one has to consider several aspects of Taoist philosophies.

This understanding of wholeness is one of the pillars of the philosophy. Although this can be enlightening, it can also mean that you very rarely get a short ‘snappy’ type of answer.

It would be the same if we had to write out in detail every thought and body action of breathing, something we do thousands of times a day. We do it naturally, without thought, but to try and explain it in it’s every minute detail would take thousands of words

This may be one of the reasons why quotations/sayings or poems from Chinese Taoist philosophers, encapsulating complicated teachings have become so popular and stood the test of time, they are as relevant today as when they were written.

Impossible to improve on, but perhaps we can help to widen the explanation and therefore helping the understanding.

When we are considering Taoism in all it’s aspects and the part it has to play in our lives we may find a challenge to the perception we have of our own true nature.

Taoism does this, it challenges our thoughts and beliefs, it helps us consider and understand where or if we have strayed from the universal truth, then it offers a way to find and understand our authentic self, parts of ourselves that may have been lost or unused.

This could have happened due to many reasons, some of these I will try and explain in more detail later.

But it is important to understand that although we may feel an essence of our authentic self could have been lost, it has not gone for ever, or deserted us, it is not angry with us, we do not have to ask for forgiveness or make amends.

It is just patiently waiting there for us to return to the path (Tao), there is no heavy Karma ‘toll’ to pay for our indiscretions that prevents or makes it difficult for us to continue on the journey in harmony.

This type of word is often used when describing or trying to explain the concepts of Taoism; Harmony, Balance, Wholeness, Oneness, Emptiness, Stillness, Path/Way, Going with the flow, Living with/understanding nature, etc. and it is true that they do explain parts of Taoism.

But we have to suspend our ‘modern’ mind and way of thinking to understand that sometimes there is not an immediate or quick, easy answer or understanding.

But like breathing the explanation or concept can be quite difficult to explain or translate, but once we start doing it, it becomes natural, then we do it without thinking and wonder why others have difficulties in understanding.

Translation can be one of the ‘stumbling blocks’ in understanding Taoism, in general Chinese does not translate precisely into English, so it is open to a wide variety interpretation.

I think this is a positive aspect, because it allows discussion, debate and deeper understanding. But the basic principal remains; if it’s the truth then despite interpretation, words, language or imagery the truth will come through and be applicable to everyone.

This truth or understanding is within us all, any problem or difficult situations we are in we have the knowledge and understanding to resolve already planted within us. All we simply have to do is apply it!

So this is what this blog sets out to do; to help you uncover your authentic self, and to realign yourself back with the Universal force (Tao), to suggest methods and techniques to maintain that Universal balance.