Non-action. How to achieve success without striving for it: the ancient Chinese concept of wu-wei spontaneous thinking
non-action) - in the Chinese religious and philosophical tradition, the denial of purposeful activity that runs counter to the natural world order. Following the principle of non-action, a wise person organizes the reality around him and harmonizes the world. The category "wu-wei" occupies an important place in the philosophy of Taoism.
Great Definition
Incomplete definition ↓
wu-wei
whale. - non-action, action through non-doing) - the principle of Taoist philosophy, one of the central concepts of the Tao Te Ching. W.-w., along with tszyzhan (naturalness) forms and concretizes the way of movement of dao and de. "Tao constantly carries out non-action, thus there is nothing that it would not do" (37 zhang "Tao-de-jing"). Drawing on the source of inner strength in "silence" and "non-existence", W.-v., according to Lao-tzu, is more primary than any active impulse, any offensive activity. Non-action must be reached by continuously reducing one's desires, and since non-action is everywhere, one's abilities become limitless. In early Taoism W.-v. opposes the rituals of the Confucians and the laws of the Mohists. Being the action of a special, internal style, W.-v. calls to follow the natural laws of nature and not to force the nature of man himself. As an internal, Uv. opposes the external, as natural - artificial, as true - false. In Chuang Tzu, non-action acquires the features of ignorance and non-service. To be socially engaged, to serve in the public service means to act contrary to the inner nature, to commit violence. Not to know is that truth is outside learning, and knowledge interferes with life and opposes it. Confucian interpretation of U.-v. emphasized inaction as a sacrificial service for the benefit of society. The inner intuition of the "I", put forward by Chuang Tzu as a criterion of truth, has been replaced by a social law requiring forgetfulness of personal action. However U. - century. remained a purely Taoist cognitive principle and a practical criterion for any kind of activity. As such U.-v. influenced the creation and development of respiratory gymnastics and the internal martial Taoist style of Tai Chi Chuan. Having turned from the time of Lao Tzu into a psychological attitude, into a cultural attitude, W.-v. characterizes not only the image of Chinese thinking, but also extends to the entire mentality of cultures of the Eastern type. As a concept, with the penetration of Buddhism into China, W.-v. completely dissolves in the theory of the Chan school. Characteristically, Chan rituals, having adopted the Taoist principle of non-action and transformed it on the theoretical basis of Buddhism, were distinguished by strict asceticism, increased strictness in execution and clear regulation.
Non-action means uselessness and impossibility to do anything with the idea of "I". The "I" must be left to itself so that external and internal attachments become perceived as obstacles to personal growth. Understanding the personality as "not-I" involves seeing nirvana as absolute peace, devoid of any manifestations of life, while the "not-I" of the personality is forced to retain the image of its own individuality and contribute to the salvation of other individuals. The contradiction between the accepted logical postulate of the non-existence of the "I" and the real existence of an individual subject finds its resolution in the will as the semantic core of non-action. Volitional concentration of "not-I" is devoid of individualism, "self-importance", all those epistemological and psychological characteristics that E. Fromm designated as "to have". Metatheoretical level of installation U.-v. allows you to apply it as an explanatory principle to Eastern (China, Japan) art, various forms of beliefs, psychological phenomena. The explanation of the energy of any action, any creativity, understood as non-action, is related to the principle of U.-v. with the Christian faith. Within faith, action takes place in a free and independent way, while remaining completely dependent on divine providence.
Great Definition
Incomplete definition ↓
The founder of Taoism is the Chinese sage Lao Tzu (approximately the 6th century BC).
It can be said without exaggeration that the philosophical provisions (principles) of Taoism, especially its ethics, are just crystals some more ancient,holistic and morally sublime worldview that has come down to us in the form of fragments or, in any case, in a significantly modified form.
The treatise "Tao Te Ching" has come down to us, undoubtedly, in a significantly altered form. This explains the difficulty of understanding and interpreting his fundamental ideas.
But even in its modern form, the treatise clearly shows three ideological components: dao, de and wu-wei.
Dao–natural way and law the change of all things, their coming and going. It is sometimes believed that Tao is the material basis for the existence of specific things and phenomena.
De– achievement, merit, energy (force), universal quality or attribute dao. Through de the action of the invisible and inaudible Tao, its transformation, is manifested.
Wu-wei (lit.– non-action) is an ethical doctrine according to which it is necessary to learn to follow the Tao as the natural law of all things.
The main ideological idea of the treatise is the concept dao. In the treatise we meet the following characteristics of it (“definitions”):
First and deepest ("deepest gate of birth")
Nameless "is the beginning of heaven and earth", "mother of all things"
Inexhaustible - "Tao is empty, but inexhaustible in application"
Invisible and inaudible, the smallest - “I look at it and do not see”, I listen to it and do not hear it”, - therefore I call it “invisible and inaudible”, “I try to grab it and do not reach it”, therefore I call era “the smallest”
Tasteless: One must learn to taste tasteless
Immutable (constant): there is nothing more constant and unchanging than Tao.
Infinite and Eternal: "Like an Endless Thread"
Obscure, indistinguishable, foggy - “a form without forms, an image without a being”
Impersonal - “I meet him and do not see his face”, “I follow him and do not see his back”
That which follows itself, i.e. something that doesn't depend on anything.
Thus, Tao is understood as absolute, notchangeable, universal and even higher law of being with moral consequences. The Tao Benefits everyone creatures and don't fight them. This law helps all beings and is able to lead them to perfection. The purpose of the law is the improvement of life.
Wherein struggle of opposites arises as a result violations dao - the natural way of all things. As a result, the weak wins over the strong, the soft wins over the hard.
Ethics of Taoism . The three main ideological components of the Tao Te Zing are interconnected: Dao – natural law and way all of things. De - that which feeds and educates, in a philosophical sense universal quality(attributes) of the Tao itself, who knows them knows as follow the Tao, i.e. what moral principles should be followed. wu wei - this is the basis of the ethics of Taoism, moral principles expressing attitude human to the world around. The whole set of principles of the Tao Te Ching is expressed in one word - wu wei(non-action).
Man must learn to act in accordance with the law of change in all things, the essence of which is the return to its beginning (§§ 32, 45). The condition for such a return is non-action.
Principles of Taoist Ethics :
Dao natural the way (law) of all things. "We need to talk less" and "follow naturalness." Following the Tao means to follow nature given things. All artificial funds must be rejected.
"Weakness is the quality of the Tao”: to follow the Tao means do not resort to force and violence.
Dao constantly and immutably, everything changes, but the Tao remains what it is, " there is nothing more permanent than the Tao": “calm is the main thing in movement.
"Tao empty, but inexhaustible in application”, “the usefulness of [something] available depends on emptiness”: the magnitude of the possibilities of something depends on the space of capacity, i.e. from its emptiness: When we have nothing, we are absolutely free, because nothing binds us.
Dao valid through transformation opposites: "Hatred must be answered with kindness", loud speech with silence, strength with weakness, one who wants to rise, "must put himself below others."
無為 non-action, lack of [purposeful] activity. Whale term. philosophy, especially Taoism. It consists of the hieroglyph y (absence / non-existence; see Yu - y), which plays the role of an optative negation, and wei (action, accomplishment, implementation), meaning a purposeful process of activity to achieve a specific state. According to the direct definition of "Mo-tzu" (ch. 40, def. 75), "wei is the pursuit of the desired (yu) on the basis of exhaustive knowledge (zhi zhi)". Taoists, proclaiming the rejection of self-willed goal-setting and ridiculing faith in exhaustive knowledge, expressed in the negative. the concept of wu wei is the principle of non-interference in nature. the order of things and the course of events are not ethical. (Confucianism, Moism; see Mo-chia), nor with pragmatic. (Mohism, Legalism) positions. Wu wei suggests, however, specific. (organic and spontaneous) activity in the form of “implementation of non-action” (wei wu wei), “engaging in the business of non-action” (chu wu wei zhi shi), which is inherent in universal effectiveness, because such is the essence of “constantly inactive (wu wei), but all carrying out Tao” and this is the embodiment of Te (“Tao Te Ching”, § 2, 3, 10, 37, 51, 63; clarifying definitions are also given in Chapter 36 of “Kuan Tzu” and Chapter 20 of “Han Fei Tzu” ). In Chuang Tzu (ch. 7; see Chuang Tzu), wu wei, embodied in the spontaneous "transformation of things" (wu hua), acquired a mystical character. coloration as the ability of a “perfect person” like a void or a mirror to go beyond the limits of nature and “conquer things” (sheng wu), which became theoretical. the basis for the so-called. religious Taoism and its derivative "alchemy". In contrast to this trend, in synthesizing Taoism with other philosophies. The teachings of the treatise Huainanzi rationalize wu wei as “following things” (yin wu) and “doing things in accordance with principles” (xuan li er ju shi; see Li). This position was strengthened by Wang Chong, who identified wu wei with “heavenly (natural)” (tian) “naturalness” (zi ran), thanks to which “things come true” (wu zi wei) (“Lun heng”, ch. 54). Confucianism also recognized the principle of "non-action", but extended it only to the personality of the emperor, who should be a receptive-passive conductor of the general cosmic. impulses to the social sphere (“Lun Yu”, XV, 4). According to Confucianism, “small paths (tao)” were excluded from the circle of activity of the “noble man” (jun zi) (ibid., XIX, 4) and it was significantly limited in extreme situations - mourning or the absence of tao in the state (ibid., XVII, 21, VIII, 13).
Thanks Taoist. the spread of the principle of wu wei to nature as a whole, Christianity, which first penetrated into China in the Nestorian version, was assessed as “preaching non-action” (decree of Emperor Taizong in 638 on the Xi'an stele).
Literature:
ancient Chinese philosophy. T. 1. M., 1972; v. 2, 1973, index; ancient Chinese philosophy. Han era. M., 1990, index; Watts A. Tao - The Way of Water. K., 1996, p. 113 - 144; Feng Yu-lan. A Brief History of Chinese Philosophy. SPb., 1998, index; Loy D. Wei-wu-wei: Nondual Action // PEW. 1985, vol. 35, no. 1.
Art. publ.: Spiritual culture of China: encyclopedia: in 5 volumes / Ch. ed. M.L. Titarenko; Institute of the Far East. - M.: Vost. lit., 2006. Vol. 1. Philosophy / ed. M.L.Titarenko, A.I.Kobzev, A.E.Lukyanov. - 2006. - 727 p. pp. 450-451.
According to Lao Tzu, “If anyone wants to take over the world and manipulate it, he will fail. For the world is a sacred vessel that cannot be manipulated. If anyone wants to appropriate it, he will lose it.” This phrase contains the whole essence of wu-wei philosophy.
Such views fundamentally contradict the Western philosophy of success, which calls for being more active, acting against everything, conquering the world and always striving for more. However, as we know, this approach often causes depression and stress, while wu-wei helps to overcome a difficult life period. It is only important to be imbued with the basic postulates and secrets of this philosophy.
1. Inactivity does not mean that nothing is happening.
Wu-wei is translated from Chinese as "non-action" or "action without action". It is living in harmony with the natural course of events, as opposed to actively pursuing goals and forcing them. At the same time, wu-wei should not be confused with idleness. Following the philosophy of wu-wei is not a reason to sit on the sidelines, idly observing life and criticizing other people.
Wu-wei is the inspired state of a person who is filled with vital energy and dedicates his actions only to a higher goal. This person does not waste energy on trifles and acts only when the best time comes for this. And then the whole world supports him.
Wu-wei can be described through the well-known Yin-Yang symbol. On the one hand, it is an active male energy, which implies the expansion of oneself into the world. On the other hand, passive female energy, which symbolizes inner knowledge.
All Chinese medicine, martial arts, gymnastics and acupuncture are designed to help balance male and female energy, that is, to act and not to act at the same time. This is wu-wei.
2. The universe is not working against you.
We do not live between heaven and earth, we ourselves are heaven and earth. To practice wu-wei, you must first realize that you are part of the universe. You need to feel a close connection and unity with all that exists. Only in this way can one find inner freedom and stop living in a struggle with the outside world.
Lao Tzu wrote about it this way: "Man depends on the Earth, the Earth - on the Cosmos, the Cosmos - on the Tao, but the Tao does not depend on anything." Accordingly, a person who knows the Tao does not depend on anything. For him, all the events of life pass before his eyes, like a movie on the screen.
3. Physical action is not the only one
Even when our body is at rest, our restless mind continues to fuss. We are experiencing, scrolling through different situations in our heads, planning future battles. According to wu-wei, it is important to calm not only the body, but also the brain. Otherwise, it is impossible to understand whether we are acting in accordance with the design of the universe or indulging our ego.
Even in the practice of meditation, one should not try too hard. Lao Tzu advises us to be calm and attentive, learn to listen to both our own inner voices and the voices of the environment. This requires a calm and penetrating mind.
4. You need to learn to accept change
Everything in nature is subject to constant metamorphosis. These changes are governed by higher laws that we cannot understand. Therefore, it is useless to resist them or try to fight change. It doesn't occur to you to stop the natural change of seasons or the sunrise over the horizon?
When you stop fighting against change, you will be able to see only the positive aspects of it.
5. Learn aimless movement
The Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu advised a lifestyle he called aimless movement. Today, the absence of a goal is considered almost a mortal sin. At the same time, the rhythm and way of modern life does not contribute to either harmony or balance.
In his treatises, Chuang Tzu wrote: “Imagine an artist or a skilled craftsman. A talented wood carver or an excellent blacksmith does not think and reason logically in the course of his action. He does it instinctively and spontaneously, not knowing why he succeeds. His skill has become so much a part of himself that he simply trusts his movements and does not think about the reasons. It is this state that one should strive to achieve with the help of wu-wei.
If acceptance is central to the Tao, then wuwei is its guiding principle. As stated above in the review, wuwei is one of the most misunderstood concepts of Taoism. Its erroneous perception is due to the fact that this principle is the exact opposite of the ideas inherent in modern Western civilization about action, deed, rivalry, perseverance and the expediency of intervening in the course of events. In short, modern Western man wants to impose his will not only on other people, but on nature itself. But this is not the way of Tao.
(Chapter 37)
At wei is not inaction. This principle is rather expressed in action without effort. It is an act performed without coercion, tension or violence. It is an act done without interference in other people's affairs, as well as without complacent and selfish effort or coercion. wu wei is an effortless action that occurs as a result of the unity of your inner nature ( pu and Te) with the forces of the laws of nature acting in the surrounding world. In short, follow the principle wu wei This is what it means to be in harmony with the Tao. Action performed in harmony occurs without effort and tension. It is performed in accordance with the spontaneous flow of the Tao without involving the efforts of the human will. A necessary condition for this is the feeling of one's own Tao. You cannot be in harmony with the Tao if you do not feel it or feel its presence within or around you.
Throughout the Star Wars movie series, those characters who are endowed with the Force constantly talk about how they feel and perceive this power.
In Star Wars, Obi-Wan invites Luke to go with him.
OBI-WAN: Of course, you should only do what you think is right.
Later, when Luke is learning how to wield a lightsaber, the following dialogue occurs between them:
OBI-WAN: Remember, a true Jedi can feel the flow of the Force within him.
LUKE: Are you saying that the Force governs our actions?
OBI-WAN: To some extent, yes.
In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda, while teaching Luke on the planet Dagobah, constantly reminds him to feel the flow of the Force.
YODA: Run! Well done. The power of a Jedi Knight comes from the great Force.
If you know the Tao and feel its presence, you can merge with it in one stream. In this case, the right decision and the right deed come by themselves, spontaneously. This is the essence of the principle wu wei.
Who can make muddy water clear when it settles? Who can revive what is at rest by setting it in motion?(Chapter 15)
The one who observes this Tao-Path does not strive for completeness and excess. Since he does not strive for fullness and excess, he always remains poor and does not need renewal and completion.
The above links wu wei with the concept of patience. You wait... you feel... you enter into a state of harmony and perform the only correct action. That's what it is wu wei. This type of patience coupled with expectation can be defined as vigilance. Such a state can often be observed in the animal world. A tiger frozen in tension, ready to jump ... a heron standing on one leg and waiting for a fish to swim closer to it ... a python lying motionless in the grass or on a tree, waiting for potential prey to inadvertently approach. What do they all have in common? Of course, the state of vigilant expectation is the expectation of that very moment when it will be necessary to act with lightning speed and for sure. Vigilance means not only being in the right place at the right time, but also being ready to act—to act in harmony with the Tao.
To feel the Tao, as mentioned above, means to feel its presence, as well as to know, to comprehend it. Sensation, comprehension and attention are the key concepts necessary for the development of most Eastern philosophical systems, especially Buddhism, Zen Buddhism and Taoism.
Luke on Dagobah, Yoda all the time requires him to concentrate and realize the Force in order to feel it in himself.
YODA: Feel it. (Luke is distracted by the frantic squeaking and screeching of Artoo the robot, causing Luke to lose his balance.)
YODA: Focus!
Luke gets up and starts exercising again. This time, there is noticeably less tension on his face and more concentration than before. Yoda is standing next to him.
YODA: Focus. (The spacecraft on which Luke is practicing his Force skills slowly rises into the air.)
YODA: Feel the flow of the Force, feel it. That's it, well done.
In The Phantom Menace, in the very first scene, Qui-Gon tells Obi-Wan to "always remember the life-giving Force". So you must always remember the Tao, always feel its presence. From Tao comes your power, the power of spontaneous harmonious action... wu wei.
Effortless action does not come from a selfish desire to forcefully change the course of events. It does not come with knowledge, because knowledge also tries to organize the surrounding world in its own way. Knowledge leads to the development of the mind, which, in turn, is always trying to improve the world, to streamline what happens in it.
If anyone desires to take possession of the Celestial Empire, then I know that he will not take it.(Chapter 29)
The Celestial is a divine vessel, and you cannot influence it.
Whoever influences her will fail, and whoever grabs her will lose her.
wu wei does not think or reflect. As the incomparable martial artist Bruce Lee said to one of his students in the movie Enter the Dragon, "Don't think... feel."
It is clear that effortless action does not require any application of force. The ego compels action. The ego imposes its will. People are trying. The following conversation takes place on Dagobah:
LUKE: Let me try... try.
YODA: Not! Do not try. Do it. Or don't. No attempts.
Nature never tries. The earth does not try to revolve around the sun. Seeds don't try to germinate and become trees. Nature functions easily, effortlessly, unmistakably choosing the path of least resistance. One who understands the principle wuwei, not trying, but doing. And when this action is performed, the results exceed all expectations. Those who try over and over again often fail.
To understand and put into practice wu wei, you need to be able to relax and free your mind. This is what Obi-Wan Luke says in Star Wars, when he tried to launch laser torpedoes into the very belly of the Death Star. Luke expected to use the precision equipment installed on his fighter to find the target. He was required to launch torpedoes at a strictly defined point.
OBI-WAN: Use the Force, Luke.
Luke looks up at the starry sky, then back into the scope. He mentally calculates the process of reaching the launch point and aiming at the target.
OBI-WAN: Trust yourself, Luke.
So we must trust ourselves, if, of course, we trust the Tao. This is the way to harmonize your own actions. You need to trust yourself and allow events to develop as destined by fate.
Whoever follows learning grows day by day.(Chapter 48)
Whoever follows the Tao-Path, that day by day diminishes: thus he reaches non-action. He abides in inaction, but there is nothing he has not done.
There is another essential element of self-liberation in accordance with the principle wu wei: one must be able to free oneself from desires. As you can see, this is also a way to define the concept of acceptance. This is not surprising, for the central position of Taoism - acceptance - inevitably turns out to be closely connected with the cornerstone position - wu wei. Lack of acceptance of the world as it is is called desire. Desires underlie every effortful action, interference in the course of things and unfounded claims.
The Tao-Way is permanent, it abides in non-action, but there is nothing that has not been done by it.(Chapter 37)
And if princes and kings know how to observe it, everything that exists will change on its own.
But if, changing, it desires to create spontaneously, I will put pressure on it with the simplicity of the primordial. After I put pressure on it with the simplicity of the primordial, it will cease to desire.
Without lust, it will find peace, and then the Celestial Empire will correct itself.
When we comprehend the principle of acceptance and act in harmony with the Tao, we can set aside personal interests in order to fulfill what the present moment requires of us. This will be an act in accordance with wu wei - an act that harmonizes the world. Actions in accordance with wu wei require great skill. One must comprehend it and apply it ... apply it as often as possible.
Notes:
"Tao Te Ching", or "The Canon of the Way and its Good Power".
Wed with translation of ch. 15 Yang Hing-shun: “They were immense, like a valley; they were impenetrable, like muddy water. These were those who, keeping calm, knew how to make the dirty clean. These were those who, by their ability to make durable movement calm, contributed to life. They observed the Tao and did not desire much. Not wanting much, they limited themselves to what exists and did not create anything new.”