Power of doing Nothing – Wu Wei Wisdom

Why is Doing Nothing Powerful

Many people, however, find it puzzling. How can a practice as elusive as “doing nothing” be profound? 

Wu wei is about going with the flow of nature. Whatever field you’re in- sports, business, arts, sciences, and whatnot – you’d probably have a similar experience. Your performance improves if you can be in sync with the natural rhythm. When there is a disruption to the flow, such as heightened emotions or unexpected obstacles, your performance declines. Why does this happen?

In every action we take, there are underlying natural forces at work. Even something as basic as breathing involves a collaboration between our bodies and the environment. When we inhale, we rely on the air from nature, and our bodies respond accordingly, facilitating numerous processes without our conscious effort. It is crucial to tap into the power of nature and allow it to assist us in achieving our goals. The more we leverage these natural forces, the better our performance will be.

Imagine that you’re rowing a boat. You can be going upstream or going downstream. Going downstream requires significantly less effort. Why? This is because nature is helping you to do part of the job to propel the boat forward. When the current is strong enough, you may not even need to row; simply steering in the desired direction will suffice. You do nothing, and the thing is done. This principle applies to various aspects of life. By understanding how nature operates, we can leverage it to achieve our objectives without unnecessary struggle.

Now, you might wonder, what does “doing nothing” have to do with this? 

Doing Nothing and Wu Wei Wisdom

The concept of doing nothing is actually pivotal to this practice, and here’s why.

For instance, nature is doing much of the work when rowing downstream. It is crucial not to interfere but instead allow nature to take its course. By refraining from unnecessary interference, we can harness nature’s help and accomplish our goals more effectively. Consider the analogy of a farmer who sows a seed. Once the seed is planted, the farmer must refrain from interfering with the growth of the crop. Watering and fertilizing the soil are necessary actions, but meddling with the natural growth process is counterproductive. Similarly, if you have a capable team that understands their roles, it is essential to trust their abilities and avoid unnecessary interference. Doing so allows you to enjoy the flow and accomplish more collectively than you could alone.

Another aspect of “doing nothing” is understanding the underlying forces at play in our actions. Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching offers a valuable analogy – water flows downward, so if you position yourself like the sea, water will naturally flow towards you. As a leader, humility is key in attracting talented individuals to your team. By aligning with the invisible, underlying forces, you can leverage them to your advantage. Softness can be a source of power, as well. Sometimes, it is wiser to avoid winning an argument if it means losing a valuable relationship or compromising long-term success. By recognizing these intangible forces – the “nothing” – and working with them, you can achieve more without unnecessary strife.

In conclusion, the concept of wu wei, or doing nothing, teaches us to align ourselves with the flow of nature to achieve our objectives. By tapping into the power of natural forces, we can enhance our performance and accomplish more with less effort. Remember to:

1. DO NOTHING to interfere with the flow of nature when it is at work, and 

2. Understand the invisible, underlying forces at work. They are the Nothingness or the Tao that underlies everything that you do. 

By practicing wu wei and doing nothing, we can unlock our hidden potential and achieve success in harmony with nature.