Years ago while working, I was contemplating "non action" and considering how to apply it in life when I received a spam call from one of those sales people who was going to use my politeness to try and manipulate me. So I just listened and continued working. I did not say anything. I did not hang up, I just quietly listened while continuing to get the things I needed to do done. I did not give the caller any energy to turn back and use against me. This became my method of dealing with calls that had no potential to help the organization I worked for and high potential to use my time unproductively. Without being directly rude, I broke their "Attack." I gave them no profit and no reason to continue their attack.
Wu wei is one of the parts of Taoism that really clicked for me. Before I read the Tao te Jing I had discovered something interesting. Whenever I felt deeply wronged by someone I would just wait instead of confronting them. About half the people came and apologized to me themselves after having time to see their errors. The other half had NO IDEA they'd done something wrong and we just went on with our lives, but with better communication. Ever since it has been my policy to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and it's worked out surprisingly well. Wu wei also means to me that we don't have to force things and we can ask for help when we need it. No need to do everything by yourself! (reflecting the Taoist emphasis on humility, admit when you're not the right person to do something). Benebel I love these videos, thank you for sharing all your knowledge!
The speaker gave many different views of philosophers or writers about the interpretation of Wu Wei. She is correct to leave to the listener on which to take. My personal (narrow) view is that i put enough preparation and effort to reach a destiny/goal, even maybe ask other's help also, but when i have done my best then just let thing develops on its own. If it reaches as planned then i am grateful, if less than plan i am not too upset. But review it. Very personal. But good video. Thanks
As someone who's worked in many hostile workplaces (unsafe blue-collar jobs targeted to violently displaced people), there is more nuance that seems necessary in this approach. Drawing clear boundaries quickly and efficiently is crucial in many hostile situations. Raising one's voice and rapidly repeating oneself is sometimes necessary, but the choice of words and physical actions can still pivot a situation towards calm - though it often takes several steps of de-escalation to get there. Wu Wei can be applied as more than a strictly pacifist approach. Self-defense and community-defense is a liberatory practice and de-escalation is one of their pillars.
To be more specific, there are times when bullying, abuse and assault can't be combated or solved without more nuanced forms of "non-action" which technically do require action but instead focuses on dismantling conflicts rather than choosing to conquer the situation/space/person
Wu Wei can also be described as allowing oneself to be moved by divine will, thus he or she will do, say, and act with what's best, to the degree that they don't resist that transcendent will or contend against it with subjective clutter that is not aligned with it.
The equivalent of Wu Wei in Occidental thought is "First do no harm". It is almost exclusively associated with medical practice but the principle has wider relevance but is ignored.
suggestion : DO WHAT NEEDS DOING REGARDLESS OF YOUR FEELINGS.AVOID CAUSING PROBLEM TO OTHERS. APPRECIATE WHAT ITHERS DONE FOR US... GIVE BACK WHENEVER POSSIBLE. 👃👃👃
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@@garytyme9384 Do no harm when acting towards others. It doesn't mean you cannot defend yourself. And who said you cannot be selective? Different situations call for different ideas and actions. Or are you just trying to be combative on purpose?
Conquering others is power, conquering the self is true strength. I always took wu wei as action of harmony, flowing with, but I appreciate the minimal governance sentiment. Thank you.
There are multiple authoritative sources noting that the Tao Te Ching, the doctrine of wu wei, even the I Ching *should* be applied to governance, politics, and public policy as the "ideal" form of rule. Though the *actual* government in history more often than not said, "Nah, no thanks." lol. Guess there was some disconnect between the philosophers and those actually wielding power. hehe.
wu wei is like being a vessel for the tao. the tao could be called god, your purpose, the way you must go. if youre skateboarding to the ice cream shop first thing in the morning its not wu wei because you havent reflected/practiced patience yet. you have to reflect (understand your past and your current position) to know where youre going. you do "nothing" because doing things clouds your focus.
But then The Tao Te Ching also says . "Men a but straw dogs destined for sacrifice , when their time has passed they will merely be trampled underfoot ." When I first read that line it shocked me like plunging into ice cold water . I suppose the text explores polarity of the Tao .
@rexnemo Su Zhe's commentary on the verse explains: "Heaven and Earth are not partial. They do not kill living things out of cruelty or give them birth out of kindness. We do the same when we make straw dogs to use in sacrifices. We dress them up and put them on the altar, but not because we love them. And when the ceremony is over, we throw them into the street, but not because we hate them." Keep in mind that a straw dog in ancient China was used as a substitute for a living sacrifice. It was a way to save lives or spare living beings. Chapter 5 could also be saying that since this world is not the ultimate reality, but only a reflection of it, it can be compared to the straw dog. In a similar way, since a human's humanness is measured by virtue, it would not be cruel to treat the masses of inhumane humans, who are thus mere semblances of genuine humans, with detatched impartiality.
@rexnemo Kasuhiko Genku Kimura interprets chapter 5 in the following way: The Kosmos is not humane; Impartially, it treats all things as transitory. The sage is not humane; Impartially, he treats all people as transitory. Manifesting the Tao Eternal, The kosmic space is like a bellows. Empty, yet inexhaustible, The more one activates it, the more it generates. Being full, too many words lead one nowhere; Impartially, keep to the silent core of emptiness. That translation conveys the principles accurately, in my opinion. It's categorically impossible for the Tao to be cruel or unfair. With that in mind, it's a forgone conclusion that chapter 5 is not cruel.
Good stuff. My favorite saying related to Wu Wei is "do nothing, and leave nothing undone." As a business leader I have found this a difficult balance for sure. it's that leave nothing undone part and can keep one very busy but I'm definitely not a micro manager.
A long time ago someone told me that the best bosses are the ones that you can call an idiot. And that is sort of how I see Wu Wei. If you rule from a ivory tower "Do what I say" then stuff gets done, but perhaps not in the best way. If you're on the ground, one of the team, then people will want to do things the best way. Not just get it done, but do it well.
I am still a Taoist. I am inspired. This Wu Wei is currently flowing in my mind and heart. Thank you. Please help me learn the Chinese language the sounds are so comforting and beautiful.
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You don't have to label yourself as anything. You are turning it into an identity. Just take wisdom wherever you find it and whatever form it comes in.
“Just because you can doesn’t mean you do. Do not persist against resistance. Walk the Path that you are naturally aligned to, and you will know what that Path is by way of intuition, your inner knowing.” I needed so much to hear this today. I want you to know how much I appreciate your inclusion of your personal interpretations of Taoist concepts (and other topics) as well as the very thorough historical introductions that you do. They feel very relatable, logical, and implementable on a ‘gut’ level, at least to me, and give me a sense of how I would actually see these principles in my life or use them to improve it.
I hope you can do a video on Chinese cosmology. It be interesting too see the intersection between buddhist, taoist and folk mythos into a vast perspective
@@darkcorner8605Kiran Jay Zhao deep dived into all the ancient Chinese stuff all throughout KungFu Panda as well. Hidden in plain sight. She does great stuff regarding Fu Hao and others too.
I'm grateful that you are translating and delivering this information to us that may not be available otherwise. I found you by accident, but I am loving all of your videos
Hello Benebell, I am a long time viewer of over 5 years and I made this TH-cam account to comment this haha. I cannot thank you enough for all the information you put out there. Navigating spirituality is extremely difficult and a lot of people on TH-cam who speak on the subject speak in a very intentionally mystical way with a lot of buzz words. But when I come to your channel I know that I am able to receive information in a way that is down to earth and easily understandable to the uninitiated. I have struggled for a very long time trying to understand the Tao Te Ching and have bought many annotated copies on it, and then I come to your video and find your translation of Verse 37 to be very enlightening. Seriously, it's like a lightbulb went off in my head the moment you explained your interpretation! I cannot wait to learn more from you. Your work is very valuable. :)
"lightbulb went off in my head" is why they call it enlightenment. Suddenly you get it and can see way better, like somebody turned on a light in a dark room. Nothing changed, everything is still in the same place, but now you can see it.
I’ve been studying and practicing this since 2004 and it’s all so true. Learned some from my dad explaining Judo and also The Art of War. Found Zen master podcast lectures and listened to them on long bike rides and runs and started really practicing it and it’s amazing. You can get more done and seem lazy at the same time because you aren’t wasting effort. Wonderful video and thanks for putting it out there!
Thank you so much for your work, Benebell. A friend told me about your book: I Ching, The Oracle just before Christmas and I have been in awe of you and your amazing contributions every since. Thank you for bringing a deeper understanding of The Dao, the I Ching and Eastern thought and philosophy to so many. I am super excited to explore your practicums in the book. I was deeply saddened, however, to hear you speak of the Dao as idealistic and 'pie in the sky'. It is not unrealistic to be in harmony with Nature. It is our birthright. Indigenous peoples all over the world show us it is possible and even imperative. Even Western science has proven many times over that our innate nature, from infancy, is cooperative, fair and altruistic. Indeed, we would not have made it as a human species if not for cooperation, care for all and harmony with Nature. It is a testament to how far from balance we have come and for how long that, even as you help us reconnect and balance with Nature, you doubt our ability to do so. Thank you even more for your strength and determination to help guide us anyway! 🙏🕊☯
I don't see why it's odd to hear a western influenced person speak of it that way. The tendency is to see it as a philosophical school only there and to disregard the 'woo-woo' as they would call it. This makes Zhouyi almost completely discarded compared to the remaining texts. Western science supports the sin concept actually (university study) that we are inherently selfish and cruel. We certainly aren't in any way cooperative, which is why to achieve that - it's forced here in China. The CCP have set many times that without strict governance you end up with conflicting chaos. Which looking at the laughable USA right now is precisely correct.
I’ve come to realize nothing ever goes as planned and to just roll with the punches or go with the flow. “I can’t always control what happens outside but I can control what happens inside”-Wayne Dyer. “If someone gives you a gift and you don’t accept it who’s gift is it”-Buddha When I follow my authentic self things usually unfold or unfurl how they are naturally meant to. The hardest part is finding,knowing, having the wisdom and to follow oneself.
Dragon Sister, I am of the Coyote's path and your videos are both educational and entertaining. The ability to correct course is the sign of an intelligent person. Going nowhere can be difficult.
I have just stumbled across this video, and subsequently your channel, and while I fear I am presently a little too tired to meaningfully comment about the fascinating subject matter (doing so would very oppose my wu wei, you see) I can't go to sleep before commenting that your clarity, structure, pacing and comprehensive approach is quite simply the best I have ever come across online. I follow more than a dozen educational and academic channels on similar topics alone, and I've never quite felt so engaged. (And just for the record it is nearly three a.m.) Simply put: you are an exceptional teacher, and I can't quite contain my excitement at the prospect of watching some of your other videos from the titles alone. (I mean Tao te Ching and Feminist Metaphysics, SIGN ME UP, I'd fly halfway across the world to take a class like that!)
😂😂😂😂 I been studying the tao since I was old enough to read the real meaning to me is “don’t let your ambition take u places ur character can’t keep you “
Love this video. I've already watched it several times. It's been hugely helpful. After 25yrs of work, this might be the best "description" I've come across
I try and apply Wu Wei in my actions, specifically while chopping vegetables at work. As long as I stay focused and pay attention to my motions and the feeling of cutting, the actual action itself becomes so effortless, that sometimes my mind becomes unfocused and I drop the knife
Continue to be very impressed, and grateful to have found your books and channel. Your "Practical Guide to The Book of Changes is not only practical, it is a masterful work of insight. Thank you so much,
Q - Have you recently discussed the idea of KO-ee (matching concepts)? A central focus, helping synthesize Buddhism into TAOISM, when the former made its way EAST. With the Dharma spreading WEST, thanks e.g. to the effort & vision of ASHOKA, we witnessed 900 Years of Greco-Buddhism. Happy Sailing! Captain "Long John" Sinclair.
I'm not part of any regular "Religious" practice, but I'm trying to learn about as many methodologies as I can to see what they all seem to agree on. Then I take what feels relevant to me and go learn more. I think Wu Wei is an important concept for anyone to learn, even if it doesn't become your daily operating philosophy. I started, essentially, with Zen meditation practices. Having the peace of mind and presence of being to actually tune into the energy around you is critical for any Spiritual path
Thank you, one more time, for posting a video. Yi Jing brought me to Chinese culture and Daoism and now, to you and your teachings or, if you prefer, to what you share. To answer your question, I would say that I can easily understand that 無為 might sound a little too ambitious, optimistic and "love and light" to some. Yet, to me, it is something, it is a state, magnificient to thrive to attain. Achieving it or not, the mere fact that someone makes an attempt, to one's very best, is of noble beauty. Perhaps the fact that the concept of 無為 is also at the very basis of 内家拳 applications tempers or, rather, balances it out for me in a typical Daoist contrasting way.
I can’t help but be reminded of aletheia, when you mention apatheia. In any case, I’ve watched a few of you videos now, and look forward to watching more. I especially love that you bring Buddhism into the conversation about Daoism, u have a new subscriber 💕☺️
When I get stressed I want to control my inner chaos by controlling the outer situation which may mean telling someone else what I need and expecting some action on their part .... I guess that is not very Wu Wei. I think in order for me to practice Wu Wei, I need to be internally at peace. It is a journey. Thank you!
Thank you so much for all you have done here! I shall be around for some time. My thoughts on the aspect about being a little to "love and light". I am western in birth, but I do not allow western conditioning to influence my thinking. I did so with these teachings and many more. I keep noticing that no matter where any of us physically are, western thinking influences us. What I mean specifically is we think of the people outside of ourselves, instead of truly align with our inner perspective. Many of us lack certain experiences in our real lives that prove certain things to us through that experience about what people really are. Its an idea who only know from media. If we are thinking of what is outside of ourselves, be it things or others, we are not following the path. This is how we continuously step off the path, by attempting to turn the inner light, outside. It just isnt how the system operates. Its actually a very long conversation that is difficult to put concisely in a comments box. What I believe of myself leaves me and travels to others, then shapes them. All I need to do is keep that in mind when I do act and do not act when it is outside of that. We can make it about what we believe people to be, it is not about that. It is about what you can do now, in your life. That is all. This is my perspective on these teachings that I do my best to live by. For that is me living in line with my highest self, now.
I am so glad the passage you cite from Xin Yu also mentions music so many times about devising ritual and musical performance in their theories of politics.
Thank you so much for making this video about Wu Wei. It is very interest you cited the Cook Ding story to illustrate Wu Wei. I think the most important point Zhuangzi made is the musicality of the Dao in this case. Cook Ding can be so good is that he is following what is intrinsically true with the things Cook Ding had at hand, that is, he mastered the rhythm of the cosmos. I think this is Zhuangzi's most important contribution to the concept of Wu Wei. Although Dao De Jing has a passage about the heavenly gate opening and closing to represent the rhythm of the cosmos, it is Zhuangzi who elaborated on the cosmic rhythm in his discussion of music.
Such a great video! I’m so thankful of finding your videos! I don’t want to act overly “spiritual” but, today I felt that I was forcing too many things “to happen” and I was feeling exhausted. This video arrived in the right time, and is opening a whole door of thoughts and reflections that I never imagined. I’ll be checking the rest of your content! Thank you so much 🙏🏾
That often happens to me, too. It's so fun when that synchronicity occurs. I throw a question or frustration out into the air and then something comes upon my path in response to that question or frustration. :-D So loving how that #occultea tag connected us to new people!! Likewise with your channel and videos!
@@BenebellWen yes! I was thinking in that word: “synchronicity”. I found so impactful that I was SO worried and frustrated, and out of nowhere your video just appeared in my notifications 🙌🏽 so again, thank you! I’m very grateful of the #occultea tag, because it has let me connect with amazing content creators! And now you have awakened a lot of interest in me for Taoism🙏🏾.
I enjoy the emphasis Wu-Wei places on the natural order or process of the universe. From what I interpret, we should not try to force things or go against the current of life, but rather embrace these natural forces and use them to our advantage. Furthermore, there is no point to trying to force things, because the constant motion of the Dao makes it so that everything is impermanent and fleeting. We should embrace this fact and not fight it. If we study the Dao, we can align ourselves with this natural order and lead a balanced life, in harmony with the earth and all life, inspiring and healing along the way.
Wow! This is so thoroughly and beautifully considered and presented. When I was very young (and, ahem, naïve), Wu Wei sounded like Absolute Truth. I guess it was sort of what I was looking for and thought I needed to understand everything and live the Virtuous Life. When I became an adult (at least physically), I 'knew better' and ended up kind of throwing out the baby with the bath water. Fast-forward some decades, during which my buddhist practice has had some time to unfold and somewhat fully bake, and I much better appreciate Wu Wei, in this context of non-attachment and equanimity, as you say so beautifully here. In this context, 'non-action' takes on a whole new and much deeper meaning. Thank you for sharing this! And by the way, I am so enjoying your book on the I Ching, which is truly masterful. Cheers!
This thought set has acute applicability to our current political environment. We DO have one party intensively involved with pushing some people down or in specific involuntary directions to achieve what they want socially or otherwise (the claim is often pure "desperation" - we must do this "now"), and significant parts of the other major party advocating allowing people to run their own lives and society to correct its own imbalances. I've loved this application of the Tao Te Ching since studying philosophy in the 70's. Thanks for this - and I mean that sincerely. I took an entire semester class on Chinese Philosophy, but have learned more here on the depth of what interests me - Wu Wei - than that entire course. KUDOS!
Basically, this wu wei that you are speaking of here, the idealistic version that you speak of, is my personal belief that this is true. I did not come to learn about this belief by studying anything like this however. Yet I found my own truth in a surprisingly compatible breadth of material that you would surely enjoy... The Seth Material by Jane Roberts. :) ... I love your videos.. thanks for being brave and putting yourself out here. It is very important to share these ideas with the world. Thank you, Christian
You really remind me of a ABC lady I once fell deeply in love with! I absolutely adore your personality! I would really enjoy to hear you give a video presentation on Tibet and Buddhism associated with that region of China, and how I really worry about the native Tibet people currently! China sure has a very long history of pretty mind boggling oppressive clamps upon its people! Wui wei and anatta (无我) seem to have a lot in common! You seem like an absolutely lovely person!!! Thank you for sharing!
This Wu Wei commentary of yours, Benebell, is taking me on a thought process regarding the Tao Te Ching that I haven't been on before. I think I understand it better than I did before. Maybe I don't but I just feel like I do. Either way thanks for the expedition. I am still studying the Chinese language, but that's another long journey that I am on.
It’s interesting how Taoism seems to have developed during the Warring States Period and implemented as part of their legal system while at the same time claiming Mandate of Heaven. It’s like when Ashoka converted to Buddhism after devastating lands of India with conquest. It’s like a gaslight. “Do as I say, not as I do.”
Benebell, precioso video con perlas joyas como enseñanzas de la filosofia china que tambien mencionan los pasajes biblicos y nadie quiere percibirlos con la vibracion completa de las malas acciones. Mil gracias por el video que lo completa su bonito rostro simpatico como atractivo. Gracias tambien a su buena publicacion del video y divinas enseñanzas.
Although we are not perfect, setting the bar high with strong ideals is a great goal. Why not set your sights on moon and land amongst the stars. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
I love the way you ask people to show their hands about whether they still believe in Taoism after you point out the shortcomings of Wu Wei as a political concept. I agree with you that Taoism and Confucianism have too high a view about human nature. I did a bit research on the debate on human nature between the Confucian sage Mencius and the legalist philosopher 荀子, I think they are both right because human being, especially babies are so malleable that they can be a sage or a monster depending on their upbringings. If a child is loved, nurtured, and taught well, living in a well-regulated society, there is very little chance for him or her to grow up and become a bad person. However, such ideal society rarely exists, it is expected some babies are abused, neglected, and grow up without a good role model. So it is hardly surprising that there are monsters among us. What a pity!!
the Tao has always made sense to me, like I came into this life knowing it . perhaps we all thus know it, innately, and only temporarily get sidetracked by this or that . truly, there is no better recipe for suffering than to neglect to remember the Tao
I think it’s accurate but utterly challenging for someone with the perception of separateness. A Buddha can see it as true, since a Buddha shares the same perspective as the Dao. But to an ordinary person control is necessary to mandarin order. Which is really about maintaining a false notion of separateness.
My most familiar example of wu wei as you're describing it is when you see a musician play something incredible and it looks and sounds effortless. I can see how people end up making it more complicated than that, but that's kind of failing to use the principle while describing it.
By the way, I read a few of your books, the one I use more often is the Tarot book; it's a very dense book, full of information very well written, congratulations, Benebell!
I'm currently working on my own, which I guess implies that there isn't one that I'm fully in love with at the moment. =P Generally I'm of the thought that one ought to have at minimum three different translations of the text to work from, and compare and contrast the three. Synthesize the three versions to arrive at your own interpretation.
@@BenebellWen ok that makes a lot of sense. I'm excited to hear you're working on one! I'm sure yours will be excellent (no pressure 😉.) I'll pick up another in the meantime. Thanks for replying!
Wow I love your coverage of this! So detailed, and love the open interpretation and translations. The optimism on our human nature is quite evident actually, when you study voluntaryism and the works of Larken Rose, his recent movie and his book The Most Dangerous Superstition. The abolitionists in America also affirm this by educating slaves, since many people thought "they are chaotic so we need to control them" but the abolitionists knew that if you gave them freedom, and taught them self-control they don't need to be slaves. We thus justify chaos because of chaos, and we end up creating more chaos. Only Taoism understood this from my studies. I wrote a book on Taoism, pls connect with me if you'd like, would love to interview you and share unique connections that could change the world. Much love! Ps I'm also learning Chinese so your videos help a ton.
The cross cultural comparison was very much appreciated. There's something that rhymes between how the manifest universe is portrayed as flowing from the Dao, Kether in qabalah, Chaos is Hesiod's Theogony, or even the universal wave function in modern physics. Perhaps our ancient ancestors traded in more than just silks and spices.
oh hey i just noticed but for the past 3 videos the audio quality has been really great! i remember you replied to someone saying you had a good mic but the software you edit on lowered the quality, im guessing you use a different editing software now? in any case, sounds very smooth!
Turns out software wasn't the problem. My settings were. 😂 Even though I had a fancy mic, my default settings were still getting the audio from the 20-year-old webcam. So literally my fancy mic was just a prop for the last few years. 😂 I figured out how to change the audio settings, but now because audio and video come from two different streams, you see some hiccups and disconnect. Now I just need to figure out how to resolve that disconnect. 😊
If life is a river, you must guide your boat the way the river flows. Expecting the river to move the way you want, will only lead to friction and suffering. When playing sports, letting things flow, feeling the movements, not thinking, just being. When painting, letting the art guide me, seeing where it takes me, instead of forcing what I want.
I’ve been reading David Hawkins recently. Wu Wei, coming from (one’s) power, not through force. Force creates counter force; power is still. Gravity for example is Wu Wei. Power in human terms can only manifest from higher calibrated energy, above 200 courage, according in his system.
My interpretation might be a little counterintuitive, but I've found the concept of "wu wei" sort of helpful in conceptualizing my own anger. If I'm angry or upset about something, I don't struggle against the feeling like I used to. Sometimes I express my anger, other times I use this awareness to step away and take a deep breath - it's easier to work with it if I don't suppress it
This is remarkable brief description of a Wu Wei, yet paradox is that current Chinese is absolutely controlled or let's say power is exerted not to experience wu Wei..
Hi, thanks for making these, I very grateful that there's someone taking on the task of translating complex ideas without skipping over context. I fell into a Hyperlinked rabbithole from this video. It led me to some of your other cool videos, and your blog. I had a question about your personal practice (do ignore I've its too personal!): I read that you're "religious but not spiritual". What do you mean by that? What is the difference according to you? If you've answered this elsewhere, do let me know; I'll check it out.
I bought a book years back about Tai chi and and meditation . Reading the book the author had decided he wanted to practice non action and tried to get his , I think she was his wife but I'm not sure , to do all the work around the house and run errands for him . In the end she turned round to him and told him that she wasn't prepared to be his skivvy . I hadn't laughed so much in ages as I did after reading that section of the book . I thought that she knew more about the Tao than the author ever would . 🤣
Fantastic video, with great detail, and comparative comprehension. Thank you so much. Interesting is the comparison with the western culture: in Roman literature (I’m Italian) we can find many references to a similar concept: please just have a look to Seneca’s “De rerum natura” and “Proevidentia”, or to the thoughts of Marcus Aurelius. Thank you so much, very insightful 🙏🏻
(As a Buddhist) I take every chapter of the Tao Te Ching as instruction in how to attain enlightenment/liberation. And taken that way, it is neither optimistic, nor pessimistic. It is the Middle Way,. Or more simply, it is The Way.
Thank you so much, always enjoy your videos and insights. My first thought after listening was simply "go with the flow" but followed quickly by wondering how I could relate this to my current study of Iain McGilchrist's works on 'hemisphere theory' as integrating our movement in thoughts that begin in right hemisphere, move to left H, and then come back to right H ... rather than getting stuck on reductionism and controlling everything (which is left H). A lot to consider here! Blessings!
Tek Tekson has an excellent book on wu wei. I like the term 'wei wu wei' the action of non action. To me it is best described as being like someone riding on a boat in the middle of a river without having paddles: you can try to use your arms to steer upstream but you wont go far... best is to relax and enjoy the ride. I often find myself at work observing my coworkers in a detached manner - they bustle about like bees coming and going and doing things at a high rate of speed, and usually they accomplish very little. I wait and observe and act only when the timing seems right, and accomplish the same or often better results. Flow with nature without needed to control things beyond your direct control. To me, this is wei wu wei.
From what I can readily recall, (paraphrase) "the true & eternal Tao can be named or spoken, with that being said, though I still see practical truth & usefulness in these teaching-that I am still learn & many more years to study & practice, in the contemporary world, so much of this is easily/often mistaken by others (a number of them even beloved ones) yet the difference I notice seems to be (I can see how sounds wafflely or floaty to some) a different type of different, not of religion or cosmic governance- yet rather, the purpose, position, & play of nature. Though at least for me this is often a lonesome-yet not lonely path, I do recognise the seeming limits of intercommunication with others. Some would seek conversion, others might not actively seek such yet might like that. I am from perspective of "I flow with who I flow with, when we flow, otherwise, how often are we elsewhere on on own ways...This was was good video, thank you.
The term "monad" is derived from the Greek word "monas," which means "singularity" or "one unit" 1 . In philosophy, a monad is considered to be an ultimate atom or simple, unextended point that is indivisible and ultimate
In my medicine journeys, I've witnessed the inherent goodness and innocence underneath all human action. So, with Shadow Work it is about embracing the "negative" parts of the personality... which at their base-line are good and innocent. It's similar to the Dao... where (on the level of duality) there is relative goodness and relative badness. But on the level of wholeness both relative good and relative bad are part and parcel to the absolute goodness of the whole of the Dao. With Wu Wei, it seems to be the principle of removing grasping and aversions to both good and bad respectively in order to transcend the duality of the Dao... and connect with the Dao on the level of absolute goodness and wholeness. And that is the true nature of Self and reality. This is , of course, naive to expect a human society to collectively abide by Wu Wei... as people will not be perfectly conscious... and unhealed traumas keep a person in grasping/aversion. This leads to hurt people, hurting more people. So, we cannot have perfect freedom or perfect wholeness on the level of society... as it is an attempt to banish the negative polarity. Society is and will always be full of contrasts. But if we engage in Shadow Work, we individually can come into alignment with the inherent perfection and wholeness that sits underneath our lifetime accumulation of adaptations, grasping, and aversions.
The way I think of wu wei is: no action means to use the energy necessary for each situation and not to overspend. In nature plants use just enough energy for their development, they do not use unnecessary energy. Transferring this interpretation to us, it would mean, for example, not to think too much to solve a problem. If I know what the solution is, I act. Summarizing Wu Wei is: do not use 10 units of energy for a situation that requires 2 units of energy.
I think the biggest challenge of such perspective is filtering it (unavoidably because it is the very matrix we are all swimming in) through the unprecedentedly intense orientations towards individualism and materialism presently infusing human consciousness.
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Years ago while working, I was contemplating "non action" and considering how to apply it in life when I received a spam call from one of those sales people who was going to use my politeness to try and manipulate me. So I just listened and continued working. I did not say anything. I did not hang up, I just quietly listened while continuing to get the things I needed to do done. I did not give the caller any energy to turn back and use against me. This became my method of dealing with calls that had no potential to help the organization I worked for and high potential to use my time unproductively. Without being directly rude, I broke their "Attack." I gave them no profit and no reason to continue their attack.
Wu wei is one of the parts of Taoism that really clicked for me. Before I read the Tao te Jing I had discovered something interesting. Whenever I felt deeply wronged by someone I would just wait instead of confronting them. About half the people came and apologized to me themselves after having time to see their errors. The other half had NO IDEA they'd done something wrong and we just went on with our lives, but with better communication. Ever since it has been my policy to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and it's worked out surprisingly well.
Wu wei also means to me that we don't have to force things and we can ask for help when we need it. No need to do everything by yourself! (reflecting the Taoist emphasis on humility, admit when you're not the right person to do something).
Benebel I love these videos, thank you for sharing all your knowledge!
The speaker gave many different views of philosophers or writers about the interpretation of Wu Wei. She is correct to leave to the listener on which to take.
My personal (narrow) view is that i put enough preparation and effort to reach a destiny/goal, even maybe ask other's help also, but when i have done my best then just let thing develops on its own. If it reaches as planned then i am grateful, if less than plan i am not too upset. But review it. Very personal. But good video. Thanks
As someone who's worked in many hostile workplaces (unsafe blue-collar jobs targeted to violently displaced people), there is more nuance that seems necessary in this approach.
Drawing clear boundaries quickly and efficiently is crucial in many hostile situations. Raising one's voice and rapidly repeating oneself is sometimes necessary, but the choice of words and physical actions can still pivot a situation towards calm - though it often takes several steps of de-escalation to get there.
Wu Wei can be applied as more than a strictly pacifist approach. Self-defense and community-defense is a liberatory practice and de-escalation is one of their pillars.
To be more specific, there are times when bullying, abuse and assault can't be combated or solved without more nuanced forms of "non-action" which technically do require action but instead focuses on dismantling conflicts rather than choosing to conquer the situation/space/person
Wu Wei can also be described as allowing oneself to be moved by divine will, thus he or she will do, say, and act with what's best, to the degree that they don't resist that transcendent will or contend against it with subjective clutter that is not aligned with it.
I don’t comment that much, but this deserves a warm thank you. ❤ “dank je wel”.
The equivalent of Wu Wei in Occidental thought is "First do no harm". It is almost exclusively associated with medical practice but the principle has wider relevance but is ignored.
Does "do no harm" also work when you are being attacked? You cannot be selective when seeking idealism.
suggestion : DO WHAT NEEDS DOING REGARDLESS OF YOUR FEELINGS.AVOID CAUSING PROBLEM TO OTHERS. APPRECIATE WHAT ITHERS DONE FOR US... GIVE BACK WHENEVER POSSIBLE. 👃👃👃
@@garytyme9384 Do no harm when acting towards others. It doesn't mean you cannot defend yourself. And who said you cannot be selective?
Different situations call for different ideas and actions. Or are you just trying to be combative on purpose?
Conquering others is power, conquering the self is true strength. I always took wu wei as action of harmony, flowing with, but I appreciate the minimal governance sentiment. Thank you.
There are multiple authoritative sources noting that the Tao Te Ching, the doctrine of wu wei, even the I Ching *should* be applied to governance, politics, and public policy as the "ideal" form of rule. Though the *actual* government in history more often than not said, "Nah, no thanks." lol. Guess there was some disconnect between the philosophers and those actually wielding power. hehe.
wu wei is like being a vessel for the tao. the tao could be called god, your purpose, the way you must go. if youre skateboarding to the ice cream shop first thing in the morning its not wu wei because you havent reflected/practiced patience yet. you have to reflect (understand your past and your current position) to know where youre going. you do "nothing" because doing things clouds your focus.
But then The Tao Te Ching also says .
"Men a but straw dogs destined for sacrifice , when their time has passed they will merely be trampled underfoot ."
When I first read that line it shocked me like plunging into ice cold water .
I suppose the text explores polarity of the Tao .
@rexnemo Su Zhe's commentary on the verse explains: "Heaven and Earth are not partial. They do not kill living things out of cruelty or give them birth out of kindness. We do the same when we make straw dogs to use in sacrifices. We dress them up and put them on the altar, but not because we love them. And when the ceremony is over, we throw them into the street, but not because we hate them."
Keep in mind that a straw dog in ancient China was used as a substitute for a living sacrifice. It was a way to save lives or spare living beings. Chapter 5 could also be saying that since this world is not the ultimate reality, but only a reflection of it, it can be compared to the straw dog.
In a similar way, since a human's humanness is measured by virtue, it would not be cruel to treat the masses of inhumane humans, who are thus mere semblances of genuine humans, with detatched impartiality.
@rexnemo Kasuhiko Genku Kimura interprets chapter 5 in the following way:
The Kosmos is not humane;
Impartially, it treats all things as transitory.
The sage is not humane;
Impartially, he treats all people as transitory.
Manifesting the Tao Eternal,
The kosmic space is like a bellows.
Empty, yet inexhaustible,
The more one activates it, the more it generates.
Being full, too many words lead one nowhere;
Impartially, keep to the silent core of emptiness.
That translation conveys the principles accurately, in my opinion. It's categorically impossible for the Tao to be cruel or unfair. With that in mind, it's a forgone conclusion that chapter 5 is not cruel.
Good stuff. My favorite saying related to Wu Wei is "do nothing, and leave nothing undone." As a business leader I have found this a difficult balance for sure. it's that leave nothing undone part and can keep one very busy but I'm definitely not a micro manager.
A long time ago someone told me that the best bosses are the ones that you can call an idiot.
And that is sort of how I see Wu Wei. If you rule from a ivory tower "Do what I say" then stuff gets done, but perhaps not in the best way. If you're on the ground, one of the team, then people will want to do things the best way. Not just get it done, but do it well.
I would listen to a three hour lecture on Wu Wei 🙌🏽
Easy, just walk into the forest and hang out for 3 hours and you’ll get it 😉
Samsies
According to Wu Wei it would be better if you listened to one hour.
I am still a Taoist. I am inspired. This Wu Wei is currently flowing in my mind and heart. Thank you. Please help me learn the Chinese language the sounds are so comforting and beautiful.
You don't have to label yourself as anything. You are turning it into an identity.
Just take wisdom wherever you find it and whatever form it comes in.
Im being practicing Tai Chi for several years in South America, and wow! this channel is a miracle, so cool! muchas gracias!! =D
I’ve been studying this stuff since I was like 13 years young. ❤
Intuition is my guidance and i just stumbled over this to confirm myself to stay on the Wu Wei path.
“Just because you can doesn’t mean you do. Do not persist against resistance. Walk the Path that you are naturally aligned to, and you will know what that Path is by way of intuition, your inner knowing.”
I needed so much to hear this today. I want you to know how much I appreciate your inclusion of your personal interpretations of Taoist concepts (and other topics) as well as the very thorough historical introductions that you do. They feel very relatable, logical, and implementable on a ‘gut’ level, at least to me, and give me a sense of how I would actually see these principles in my life or use them to improve it.
I hope you can do a video on Chinese cosmology. It be interesting too see the intersection between buddhist, taoist and folk mythos into a vast perspective
dissecting the movie "a chinese ghost story" would do exactly that, why it's not done is as mysterious as the Tao.
Kiran Jay Zhao did some of that. She’s pretty well cited as well. She’s done great oracle bone stuff too relating to Fu Hao.
@@darkcorner8605Kiran Jay Zhao deep dived into all the ancient Chinese stuff all throughout KungFu Panda as well. Hidden in plain sight. She does great stuff regarding Fu Hao and others too.
I really love your videos thank u
Wow, what a good suggestion!
I'm grateful that you are translating and delivering this information to us that may not be available otherwise. I found you by accident, but I am loving all of your videos
Yeah. Her body of work is vast. I’ve been studying this stuff since I was 13. 30 now. ❤
Hello Benebell, I am a long time viewer of over 5 years and I made this TH-cam account to comment this haha. I cannot thank you enough for all the information you put out there. Navigating spirituality is extremely difficult and a lot of people on TH-cam who speak on the subject speak in a very intentionally mystical way with a lot of buzz words. But when I come to your channel I know that I am able to receive information in a way that is down to earth and easily understandable to the uninitiated. I have struggled for a very long time trying to understand the Tao Te Ching and have bought many annotated copies on it, and then I come to your video and find your translation of Verse 37 to be very enlightening. Seriously, it's like a lightbulb went off in my head the moment you explained your interpretation! I cannot wait to learn more from you. Your work is very valuable. :)
"lightbulb went off in my head" is why they call it enlightenment. Suddenly you get it and can see way better, like somebody turned on a light in a dark room. Nothing changed, everything is still in the same place, but now you can see it.
I very much enjoyed this lesson. Thank you.
I'm currently playing with this: "The Constant Path is unforced, but not without force."
It's like a rock. Nothing gives the rock its strength; (aside from the Lord) it's just a rock.
Thank you so much Daoshi Benebell for you making the most profound of Taoism into simplest understanding. Grateful and most Appreciated. ❤❤❤
Beautiful sister. Thank you.
I’ve been studying and practicing this since 2004 and it’s all so true. Learned some from my dad explaining Judo and also The Art of War. Found Zen master podcast lectures and listened to them on long bike rides and runs and started really practicing it and it’s amazing. You can get more done and seem lazy at the same time because you aren’t wasting effort. Wonderful video and thanks for putting it out there!
Ma’am, your teaching is a blessing. May the tao be with you.
Thank you so much for your work, Benebell. A friend told me about your book: I Ching, The Oracle just before Christmas and I have been in awe of you and your amazing contributions every since. Thank you for bringing a deeper understanding of The Dao, the I Ching and Eastern thought and philosophy to so many. I am super excited to explore your practicums in the book. I was deeply saddened, however, to hear you speak of the Dao as idealistic and 'pie in the sky'. It is not unrealistic to be in harmony with Nature. It is our birthright. Indigenous peoples all over the world show us it is possible and even imperative. Even Western science has proven many times over that our innate nature, from infancy, is cooperative, fair and altruistic. Indeed, we would not have made it as a human species if not for cooperation, care for all and harmony with Nature. It is a testament to how far from balance we have come and for how long that, even as you help us reconnect and balance with Nature, you doubt our ability to do so. Thank you even more for your strength and determination to help guide us anyway! 🙏🕊☯
I don't see why it's odd to hear a western influenced person speak of it that way. The tendency is to see it as a philosophical school only there and to disregard the 'woo-woo' as they would call it. This makes Zhouyi almost completely discarded compared to the remaining texts. Western science supports the sin concept actually (university study) that we are inherently selfish and cruel. We certainly aren't in any way cooperative, which is why to achieve that - it's forced here in China. The CCP have set many times that without strict governance you end up with conflicting chaos. Which looking at the laughable USA right now is precisely correct.
Obrigada ❣ excelente você trazer esse ensinamento para reflexões.
I’ve come to realize nothing ever goes as planned and to just roll with the punches or go with the flow. “I can’t always control what happens outside but I can control what happens inside”-Wayne Dyer. “If someone gives you a gift and you don’t accept it who’s gift is it”-Buddha
When I follow my authentic self things usually unfold or unfurl how they are naturally meant to.
The hardest part is finding,knowing, having the wisdom and to follow oneself.
Thank you Benebell! I really appreciate you breaking down these concepts in your videos. It would be very hard to find for a westerner
Dragon Sister, I am of the Coyote's path and your videos are both educational and entertaining. The ability to correct course is the sign of an intelligent person. Going nowhere can be difficult.
I have just stumbled across this video, and subsequently your channel, and while I fear I am presently a little too tired to meaningfully comment about the fascinating subject matter (doing so would very oppose my wu wei, you see) I can't go to sleep before commenting that your clarity, structure, pacing and comprehensive approach is quite simply the best I have ever come across online. I follow more than a dozen educational and academic channels on similar topics alone, and I've never quite felt so engaged. (And just for the record it is nearly three a.m.) Simply put: you are an exceptional teacher, and I can't quite contain my excitement at the prospect of watching some of your other videos from the titles alone. (I mean Tao te Ching and Feminist Metaphysics, SIGN ME UP, I'd fly halfway across the world to take a class like that!)
You remind me of the cranks we lock up in Xinjiang. Please never come to China.
So happy TH-cam show me your channel! Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Her stuff is great. Keep diving. It’s a vast body of work she’s accumulated. I’ve been studying stuff since I was about 13 too. I’m 30 now. ❤
Ms. Wen.....Thank you for your time here......I appreciate this
😂😂😂😂 I been studying the tao since I was old enough to read the real meaning to me is “don’t let your ambition take u places ur character can’t keep you “
I'm getting some clipping sounds in the audio. Really cool take on timeless wisdom. Thank you for sharing your talent and passion for philosophy.
This is extremely high quality. Thank you for the care and effort you put in to this.
Love this video. I've already watched it several times. It's been hugely helpful. After 25yrs of work, this might be the best "description" I've come across
I try and apply Wu Wei in my actions, specifically while chopping vegetables at work. As long as I stay focused and pay attention to my motions and the feeling of cutting, the actual action itself becomes so effortless, that sometimes my mind becomes unfocused and I drop the knife
Continue to be very impressed, and grateful to have found your books and channel. Your "Practical Guide to The Book of Changes is not only practical, it is a masterful work of insight. Thank you so much,
Q - Have you recently discussed the idea of KO-ee (matching concepts)?
A central focus, helping synthesize Buddhism into TAOISM, when the former made its way EAST. With the Dharma spreading WEST, thanks e.g. to the effort & vision of ASHOKA, we witnessed 900 Years of Greco-Buddhism. Happy Sailing! Captain "Long John" Sinclair.
I'm not part of any regular "Religious" practice, but I'm trying to learn about as many methodologies as I can to see what they all seem to agree on. Then I take what feels relevant to me and go learn more.
I think Wu Wei is an important concept for anyone to learn, even if it doesn't become your daily operating philosophy. I started, essentially, with Zen meditation practices. Having the peace of mind and presence of being to actually tune into the energy around you is critical for any Spiritual path
You’re the best Benebell!!!
Thank you, one more time, for posting a video. Yi Jing brought me to Chinese culture and Daoism and now, to you and your teachings or, if you prefer, to what you share. To answer your question, I would say that I can easily understand that 無為 might sound a little too ambitious, optimistic and "love and light" to some. Yet, to me, it is something, it is a state, magnificient to thrive to attain. Achieving it or not, the mere fact that someone makes an attempt, to one's very best, is of noble beauty. Perhaps the fact that the concept of 無為 is also at the very basis of 内家拳 applications tempers or, rather, balances it out for me in a typical Daoist contrasting way.
Wow, you totally get the Wu Wei. The highest level of martial art is Wu Wei!!
I can’t help but be reminded of aletheia, when you mention apatheia. In any case, I’ve watched a few of you videos now, and look forward to watching more. I especially love that you bring Buddhism into the conversation about Daoism, u have a new subscriber 💕☺️
When I get stressed I want to control my inner chaos by controlling the outer situation which may mean telling someone else what I need and expecting some action on their part .... I guess that is not very Wu Wei. I think in order for me to practice Wu Wei, I need to be internally at peace. It is a journey. Thank you!
Thank you so much for all you have done here! I shall be around for some time. My thoughts on the aspect about being a little to "love and light". I am western in birth, but I do not allow western conditioning to influence my thinking. I did so with these teachings and many more. I keep noticing that no matter where any of us physically are, western thinking influences us. What I mean specifically is we think of the people outside of ourselves, instead of truly align with our inner perspective. Many of us lack certain experiences in our real lives that prove certain things to us through that experience about what people really are. Its an idea who only know from media. If we are thinking of what is outside of ourselves, be it things or others, we are not following the path. This is how we continuously step off the path, by attempting to turn the inner light, outside. It just isnt how the system operates. Its actually a very long conversation that is difficult to put concisely in a comments box. What I believe of myself leaves me and travels to others, then shapes them. All I need to do is keep that in mind when I do act and do not act when it is outside of that. We can make it about what we believe people to be, it is not about that. It is about what you can do now, in your life. That is all. This is my perspective on these teachings that I do my best to live by. For that is me living in line with my highest self, now.
ShrMu. You’re back! Yaaaay!🕉️☸️☯️you do know I’m hanging around so I don’t miss your talks! Right? 🙏🙏🙏👍🏼👍🏼
I am so glad the passage you cite from Xin Yu also mentions music so many times about devising ritual and musical performance in their theories of politics.
My favorite definition: Noncoercive action that is in accordance with the de (virtue/power) of things
Thank you so much for making this video about Wu Wei. It is very interest you cited the Cook Ding story to illustrate Wu Wei. I think the most important point Zhuangzi made is the musicality of the Dao in this case. Cook Ding can be so good is that he is following what is intrinsically true with the things Cook Ding had at hand, that is, he mastered the rhythm of the cosmos. I think this is Zhuangzi's most important contribution to the concept of Wu Wei. Although Dao De Jing has a passage about the heavenly gate opening and closing to represent the rhythm of the cosmos, it is Zhuangzi who elaborated on the cosmic rhythm in his discussion of music.
Such a great video! I’m so thankful of finding your videos!
I don’t want to act overly “spiritual” but, today I felt that I was forcing too many things “to happen” and I was feeling exhausted.
This video arrived in the right time, and is opening a whole door of thoughts and reflections that I never imagined.
I’ll be checking the rest of your content!
Thank you so much 🙏🏾
That often happens to me, too. It's so fun when that synchronicity occurs. I throw a question or frustration out into the air and then something comes upon my path in response to that question or frustration. :-D So loving how that #occultea tag connected us to new people!! Likewise with your channel and videos!
@@BenebellWen yes! I was thinking in that word: “synchronicity”. I found so impactful that I was SO worried and frustrated, and out of nowhere your video just appeared in my notifications 🙌🏽 so again, thank you!
I’m very grateful of the #occultea tag, because it has let me connect with amazing content creators! And now you have awakened a lot of interest in me for Taoism🙏🏾.
I enjoy the emphasis Wu-Wei places on the natural order or process of the universe. From what I interpret, we should not try to force things or go against the current of life, but rather embrace these natural forces and use them to our advantage. Furthermore, there is no point to trying to force things, because the constant motion of the Dao makes it so that everything is impermanent and fleeting. We should embrace this fact and not fight it. If we study the Dao, we can align ourselves with this natural order and lead a balanced life, in harmony with the earth and all life, inspiring and healing along the way.
Wow! This is so thoroughly and beautifully considered and presented. When I was very young (and, ahem, naïve), Wu Wei sounded like Absolute Truth. I guess it was sort of what I was looking for and thought I needed to understand everything and live the Virtuous Life. When I became an adult (at least physically), I 'knew better' and ended up kind of throwing out the baby with the bath water. Fast-forward some decades, during which my buddhist practice has had some time to unfold and somewhat fully bake, and I much better appreciate Wu Wei, in this context of non-attachment and equanimity, as you say so beautifully here. In this context, 'non-action' takes on a whole new and much deeper meaning. Thank you for sharing this! And by the way, I am so enjoying your book on the I Ching, which is truly masterful. Cheers!
This thought set has acute applicability to our current political environment. We DO have one party intensively involved with pushing some people down or in specific involuntary directions to achieve what they want socially or otherwise (the claim is often pure "desperation" - we must do this "now"), and significant parts of the other major party advocating allowing people to run their own lives and society to correct its own imbalances. I've loved this application of the Tao Te Ching since studying philosophy in the 70's. Thanks for this - and I mean that sincerely. I took an entire semester class on Chinese Philosophy, but have learned more here on the depth of what interests me - Wu Wei - than that entire course. KUDOS!
Basically, this wu wei that you are speaking of here, the idealistic version that you speak of, is my personal belief that this is true. I did not come to learn about this belief by studying anything like this however. Yet I found my own truth in a surprisingly compatible breadth of material that you would surely enjoy... The Seth Material by Jane Roberts. :) ... I love your videos.. thanks for being brave and putting yourself out here. It is very important to share these ideas with the world. Thank you, Christian
oh my, these channel is a golden flower
I am so grateful for your videos and books. Thank you.
You really remind me of a ABC lady I once fell deeply in love with! I absolutely adore your personality! I would really enjoy to hear you give a video presentation on Tibet and Buddhism associated with that region of China, and how I really worry about the native Tibet people currently! China sure has a very long history of pretty mind boggling oppressive clamps upon its people! Wui wei and anatta (无我) seem to have a lot in common! You seem like an absolutely lovely person!!! Thank you for sharing!
This Wu Wei commentary of yours, Benebell, is taking me on a thought process regarding the Tao Te Ching that I haven't been on before. I think I understand it better than I did before. Maybe I don't but I just feel like I do. Either way thanks for the expedition. I am still studying the Chinese language, but that's another long journey that I am on.
Very beautiful and detailed video. More power to you, Benebell! :)
It’s interesting how Taoism seems to have developed during the Warring States Period and implemented as part of their legal system while at the same time claiming Mandate of Heaven. It’s like when Ashoka converted to Buddhism after devastating lands of India with conquest. It’s like a gaslight. “Do as I say, not as I do.”
Benebell, precioso video con perlas joyas como enseñanzas de la filosofia china que tambien mencionan los pasajes biblicos y nadie quiere percibirlos con la vibracion completa de las malas acciones. Mil gracias por el video que lo completa su bonito rostro simpatico como atractivo. Gracias tambien a su buena publicacion del video y divinas enseñanzas.
Although we are not perfect, setting the bar high with strong ideals is a great goal. Why not set your sights on moon and land amongst the stars. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
The wu wei sounds pretty powerful wisdom to me. Ty. Benebell!
I love the way you ask people to show their hands about whether they still believe in Taoism after you point out the shortcomings of Wu Wei as a political concept. I agree with you that Taoism and Confucianism have too high a view about human nature. I did a bit research on the debate on human nature between the Confucian sage Mencius and the legalist philosopher 荀子, I think they are both right because human being, especially babies are so malleable that they can be a sage or a monster depending on their upbringings. If a child is loved, nurtured, and taught well, living in a well-regulated society, there is very little chance for him or her to grow up and become a bad person. However, such ideal society rarely exists, it is expected some babies are abused, neglected, and grow up without a good role model. So it is hardly surprising that there are monsters among us. What a pity!!
the Tao has always made sense to me, like I came into this life knowing it . perhaps we all thus know it, innately, and only temporarily get sidetracked by this or that . truly, there is no better recipe for suffering than to neglect to remember the Tao
For me, it's the "ju" in "judo"; of course when applied to all aspects of life. First vidéo of yours I've seen. Subscribed.
I think it’s accurate but utterly challenging for someone with the perception of separateness. A Buddha can see it as true, since a Buddha shares the same perspective as the Dao. But to an ordinary person control is necessary to mandarin order. Which is really about maintaining a false notion of separateness.
师傅 谢谢
My most familiar example of wu wei as you're describing it is when you see a musician play something incredible and it looks and sounds effortless. I can see how people end up making it more complicated than that, but that's kind of failing to use the principle while describing it.
By the way, I read a few of your books, the one I use more often is the Tarot book; it's a very dense book, full of information very well written, congratulations, Benebell!
Fascinating! Thanks for making this. Question: is there an English translation of the Tao Te Ching that you would recommend?
I'm currently working on my own, which I guess implies that there isn't one that I'm fully in love with at the moment. =P Generally I'm of the thought that one ought to have at minimum three different translations of the text to work from, and compare and contrast the three. Synthesize the three versions to arrive at your own interpretation.
@@BenebellWen ok that makes a lot of sense. I'm excited to hear you're working on one! I'm sure yours will be excellent (no pressure 😉.) I'll pick up another in the meantime. Thanks for replying!
Wow I love your coverage of this! So detailed, and love the open interpretation and translations. The optimism on our human nature is quite evident actually, when you study voluntaryism and the works of Larken Rose, his recent movie and his book The Most Dangerous Superstition. The abolitionists in America also affirm this by educating slaves, since many people thought "they are chaotic so we need to control them" but the abolitionists knew that if you gave them freedom, and taught them self-control they don't need to be slaves. We thus justify chaos because of chaos, and we end up creating more chaos. Only Taoism understood this from my studies. I wrote a book on Taoism, pls connect with me if you'd like, would love to interview you and share unique connections that could change the world. Much love! Ps I'm also learning Chinese so your videos help a ton.
The cross cultural comparison was very much appreciated. There's something that rhymes between how the manifest universe is portrayed as flowing from the Dao, Kether in qabalah, Chaos is Hesiod's Theogony, or even the universal wave function in modern physics. Perhaps our ancient ancestors traded in more than just silks and spices.
oh hey i just noticed but for the past 3 videos the audio quality has been really great! i remember you replied to someone saying you had a good mic but the software you edit on lowered the quality, im guessing you use a different editing software now? in any case, sounds very smooth!
Turns out software wasn't the problem. My settings were. 😂 Even though I had a fancy mic, my default settings were still getting the audio from the 20-year-old webcam. So literally my fancy mic was just a prop for the last few years. 😂 I figured out how to change the audio settings, but now because audio and video come from two different streams, you see some hiccups and disconnect. Now I just need to figure out how to resolve that disconnect. 😊
Save what comes easy - do what feels right
There is a demand for 3 hour long deep dives on such topics.
If life is a river, you must guide your boat the way the river flows. Expecting the river to move the way you want, will only lead to friction and suffering. When playing sports, letting things flow, feeling the movements, not thinking, just being. When painting, letting the art guide me, seeing where it takes me, instead of forcing what I want.
I’ve been reading David Hawkins recently. Wu Wei, coming from (one’s) power, not through force. Force creates counter force; power is still. Gravity for example is Wu Wei. Power in human terms can only manifest from higher calibrated energy, above 200 courage, according in his system.
My interpretation might be a little counterintuitive, but I've found the concept of "wu wei" sort of helpful in conceptualizing my own anger. If I'm angry or upset about something, I don't struggle against the feeling like I used to. Sometimes I express my anger, other times I use this awareness to step away and take a deep breath - it's easier to work with it if I don't suppress it
This is remarkable brief description of a Wu Wei, yet paradox is that current Chinese is absolutely controlled or let's say power is exerted not to experience wu Wei..
Hi, thanks for making these, I very grateful that there's someone taking on the task of translating complex ideas without skipping over context. I fell into a Hyperlinked rabbithole from this video. It led me to some of your other cool videos, and your blog. I had a question about your personal practice (do ignore I've its too personal!): I read that you're "religious but not spiritual". What do you mean by that? What is the difference according to you? If you've answered this elsewhere, do let me know; I'll check it out.
I bought a book years back about Tai chi and and meditation . Reading the book the author had decided he wanted to practice non action and tried to get his , I think she was his wife but I'm not sure , to do all the work around the house and run errands for him .
In the end she turned round to him and told him that she wasn't prepared to be his skivvy . I hadn't laughed so much in ages as I did after reading that section of the book . I thought that she knew more about the Tao than the author ever would . 🤣
Always aspiring to be the highest version of the self. Thank you for this.
Fantastic video, with great detail, and comparative comprehension.
Thank you so much.
Interesting is the comparison with the western culture: in Roman literature (I’m Italian) we can find many references to a similar concept: please just have a look to Seneca’s “De rerum natura” and “Proevidentia”, or to the thoughts of Marcus Aurelius.
Thank you so much, very insightful 🙏🏻
(As a Buddhist) I take every chapter of the Tao Te Ching as instruction in how to attain enlightenment/liberation. And taken that way, it is neither optimistic, nor pessimistic.
It is the Middle Way,. Or more simply, it is The Way.
Hi - you should publish your own version of Tao Te Ching. By the way your two recent books do keep me busy!
Thank you so much, always enjoy your videos and insights. My first thought after listening was simply "go with the flow" but followed quickly by wondering how I could relate this to my current study of Iain McGilchrist's works on 'hemisphere theory' as integrating our movement in thoughts that begin in right hemisphere, move to left H, and then come back to right H ... rather than getting stuck on reductionism and controlling everything (which is left H). A lot to consider here! Blessings!
This was deeply inspiring. Thanks you!
Watching this from India, I am really impressed. Can we have more this please?❤
This channels is a gem 💎
Tek Tekson has an excellent book on wu wei. I like the term 'wei wu wei' the action of non action. To me it is best described as being like someone riding on a boat in the middle of a river without having paddles: you can try to use your arms to steer upstream but you wont go far... best is to relax and enjoy the ride. I often find myself at work observing my coworkers in a detached manner - they bustle about like bees coming and going and doing things at a high rate of speed, and usually they accomplish very little. I wait and observe and act only when the timing seems right, and accomplish the same or often better results. Flow with nature without needed to control things beyond your direct control. To me, this is wei wu wei.
Love your explanation, great work! Thank you
From what I can readily recall, (paraphrase) "the true & eternal Tao can be named or spoken, with that being said, though I still see practical truth & usefulness in these teaching-that I am still learn & many more years to study & practice, in the contemporary world, so much of this is easily/often mistaken by others (a number of them even beloved ones) yet the difference I notice seems to be (I can see how sounds wafflely or floaty to some) a different type of different, not of religion or cosmic governance- yet rather, the purpose, position, & play of nature. Though at least for me this is often a lonesome-yet not lonely path, I do recognise the seeming limits of intercommunication with others. Some would seek conversion, others might not actively seek such yet might like that. I am from perspective of "I flow with who I flow with, when we flow, otherwise, how often are we elsewhere on on own ways...This was was good video, thank you.
The term "monad" is derived from the Greek word "monas," which means "singularity" or "one unit"
1
. In philosophy, a monad is considered to be an ultimate atom or simple, unextended point that is indivisible and ultimate
In my medicine journeys, I've witnessed the inherent goodness and innocence underneath all human action. So, with Shadow Work it is about embracing the "negative" parts of the personality... which at their base-line are good and innocent. It's similar to the Dao... where (on the level of duality) there is relative goodness and relative badness. But on the level of wholeness both relative good and relative bad are part and parcel to the absolute goodness of the whole of the Dao.
With Wu Wei, it seems to be the principle of removing grasping and aversions to both good and bad respectively in order to transcend the duality of the Dao... and connect with the Dao on the level of absolute goodness and wholeness. And that is the true nature of Self and reality.
This is , of course, naive to expect a human society to collectively abide by Wu Wei... as people will not be perfectly conscious... and unhealed traumas keep a person in grasping/aversion. This leads to hurt people, hurting more people. So, we cannot have perfect freedom or perfect wholeness on the level of society... as it is an attempt to banish the negative polarity. Society is and will always be full of contrasts.
But if we engage in Shadow Work, we individually can come into alignment with the inherent perfection and wholeness that sits underneath our lifetime accumulation of adaptations, grasping, and aversions.
Thank you, Wen Laoshi! I appreciate your pronunciation and presentation of the Chinese words (in their multiple styles)~~~~Arthur Ogawa
I really struggle with the non-action but not NO action. Be like water. But I would really like a concentrated dive into this! TY Benebell!
you have converted me to daoism.
The way I think of wu wei is: no action means to use the energy necessary for each situation and not to overspend. In nature plants use just enough energy for their development, they do not use unnecessary energy. Transferring this interpretation to us, it would mean, for example, not to think too much to solve a problem. If I know what the solution is, I act.
Summarizing Wu Wei is: do not use 10 units of energy for a situation that requires 2 units of energy.
Delightful sharing. thank you! You are appreciated.
I think the biggest challenge of such perspective is filtering it (unavoidably because it is the very matrix we are all swimming in) through the unprecedentedly intense orientations towards individualism and materialism presently infusing human consciousness.
Learned soo much from you, it’s only right I get the book in due time.
Are you not a Taoist? Do you have a title for your practice? It’s cool if not I’m just curious. Also fairly new to your page. I love the content
your Buddhist explanation, spot on! i once told my Sifu that Wu Wei was Michael Jordan shooting free throws with his eyes closed...