Wu Wei

[sobrique]

The drowning man thrashes in the water, and makes little progress, beyond keeping his head above water.
The athletic swimmer glides gracefully, rapidly and effortlessly.

This is to swimming what Wu-Wei is to life. "Wu Wei" is one of the principles of Taoisom, and approximates as 'non doing'. However it is not laziness, inertial or passivity. It is, if you like, swimming with the current of life.

In doing nothing, we can ensure that nothing is left undone. This may seem a contradiction of sorts. But consider that a small change in the right place at the right time is amplified many times before it comes to fruition.

Comments

[purp1e-magic.livejournal.com]

I don't know much about wu-wei, but that's not quite how I see it. It's more a question of knowing when nothing is the best course. To give an example from raising SA, if you try to teach him it is very hard for him to learn. Instead, you create an environment in which he can learn for himself. He'll tell you what he's ready to know by asking questions, where he might not have understood or been interested in pre-emptive explanations. If you let him draw a picture he'll demonstrate the limits of his understanding by including all aspects of a face in random orientation and position. Instead of trying to teach spatial awareness you just have to suggest that the nose goes above the mouth, and he'll apply it to other aspects of all his drawings.

It has less to do with my competence at motherhood compared to my willingness for things to take a natural course, and let all aspects of the environment play their part.

[jorune.livejournal.com]

You make a valid point, there are many times when 'masterful inaction' is the right approach. I'm sure Peter and many other people who work in big companies know managers and team leaders who are stuck in a rut. They 'must do something/must change something' without waiting for the latest change to work.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Was that a question? :)

No, not quite self confidence or skill mastery. I'm afraid I can't easily articulate what I mean without digging up analogies, but essentially it's stopping to understand what is, and how to just be, and from there everything around moves smoothly and seamlessly.

So yes, sort of a mastery of talent, but the 'talent' in question would be in 'being who you are' with all that implies, rather than "how to do things".

I suppose the management analogy is a good one - the best manager does nothing, and yet leaves nothing undone. Trusting and understanding those around you to be who they are, and understanding what/who it is that they are.

Serenity and wisdom allow us to flow in harmony with life (the Tao if you like), seeing the things around us, remaining content to be and accepting and riding with whatever comes.