Wu-wei | The Art of Letting Things Happen
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ค. 2024
- Despite humanity’s technological developments and will to progress, we’re still utterly dependent on nature. Human effort has its limitations and is always in conjunction with nature. We cannot grow a plant, for example, completely isolated from natural growth, even though we can influence and manipulate it.
The reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, stated that the world governs itself. It doesn’t need our intervention. As Lao Tzu wrote: “When you arrive at non-action, nothing will be left undone.” End quote. This idea resembles the basic understanding of the paradoxical concept “wu-wei.”
But when we look for a definition of wu-wei, we quickly discover that there isn’t one fixed meaning.
Some translate wu-wei as “non-action,” or “doing nothing,” others as “actionless action,” and others as “effortless action.”
We find out that Taoism offers several layers, if you will, regarding how wu-wei can enhance our relationship with the world. And how this ancient art of “letting things happen” doesn’t necessarily make us passive, ignorant bystanders but can actually improve how we act, leading to better outcomes.
This video (Wu-wei | The Art of Letting Things Happen) serves as a humble attempt to make the depth of this philosophical idea clear and practical.
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#TAOISM #WUWEI #LAOTZU
00:00 - Intro
02:05 - Wrestling with nature
05:19 - Acting for the act itself
07:57 - The uncarved block
Nature does not hurry, yet all things are accomplished. The tighter we grasp the sand, the more sand falls through the hand.
When you are unemployed you wont wait till your hunger kills you to let things happen.
@@unknowninfinium4353 but when you're not unemployed n don't make enough money you wouldn't starve to death before asking for a raise
I disagree. If this theory is right, we would still be living in stone age. Think why we have what we having now. It's because of research. We manipulate nature. And we getting better at it. Soon we will terraform and live in Mars just like here on Earth.
@@fundemort you think that because you don't actually know the true meaning of stocism and wu wei. The true meaning is that you can still aim for greatness but still be humble and appreciative, you can get excited for a big breakthrough In science at your own hands, and you can still feel calm when it doesn't work out. It's about a state of mind,not whether or not you do extraordinary things
@@derealratos6332 Noted. Thank you.
"A Zen student went to a temple and asked how long it would take him to gain enlightenment if he joined the temple.
-10 years, said the Zen master.
-Well, how about if I really work hard and double my effort?
-In that case, 20 years."
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 thank-you for making my Sunday better. Ego never fails to amuse me.
What if I work harder than you and all of your students combined?
30 years
@@captainomoplata643 🤣👌
LMFAO!
Can I copy this?
Do not force, do not chase, let things flow! Love it
Nicely put 👍
I might label it "non-attached action" Thank you Maya.
I wrote a dissertation in college examining how intricately linked the creation, growth and solidification of Taoism is to the Chinese emperors. None of the texts cover the topic but to me there's something peculiar about a spirituality that basically was commissioned by the governing powers that has a central message of "wu wei." It's a great message to ensure that the citizenry keeps their heads down, carries out their work and doesn't concern themselves with the affairs of the rulers. Don't get me wrong, I think the Tao has valuable knowledge but I also think it's highly suspect, especially since the rulers didn't adhere to the tenets.
*Exactly, just relax and allow the World to Consume and Manipulate you instead, besides......GOD loves you!!*
I tell this is absolutely bullshit any lazy. Put effort but not worry would write way to understand
“Situations often solve themselves” - I’ve found this to be 100% accurate. I’m often quick to judge, get angry, become overly emotional and find myself in disagreements about things I don’t understand. But when I let go, am patient and allow things to be I find the problem is solved in it’s own time with little interference, conflict, questions are answered and my assumptions were off or completely wrong. If there’s an issue (and it doesn’t require immediate response because sometimes it does) then there’s no rush to solve it. If it’s a problem today it’ll likely be a problem tomorrow. It’s often our ego’s that cloud our judgement and make us overly emotional or demand that we need to be right - right NOW. I find it’s best to allow my emotions to naturally subside so I don’t say something I’ll regret or ultimately make matters worse. It can be challenging but life will fix itself when we get out of it’s way. Thank you so so much for this.
I agree about 80%. However I'm a different person so I guess I'm going to be a little different. But personally I enjoy getting worked up over helping the unfortunate, even if it doesn't go anywhere. It would make me feel worse if I could treat some of the injustices on the global stage with apathy or so disregardful. But again that is just me and probably wouldn't be healthiest for most people lol
In other words, if I feel like getting angry, then I'll get angry! Even furious, and let the emotion run it's course reflecting on why I feel the way I do and why the circumstances are what they are. It helps, even if the issue is too big for me to have any impact.
Thank you for being so honest.
Well said!!! I’ve been saying that people need to quit expecting instant gratification. Let it happen on its terms not yours.
emotion need to be express bc we frustrated by problem and can't find the answer yet. so its temporary best answer
Same. I have temperament issue like this too. Until I realize I tend to angry because I didnt get a fast way to solve problems. Yes let things happen themselves is a good way to keep me sane through problems
This concept remembers me of a quote from Marcus Aurelius: "Take the shortest route, the one that nature planned-to speak and act in the healthiest way. Do that, and be free of pain and stress, free of all calculation and pretension."
You must nurture plants as you do humans. If you don't they usually wither and die.
Don’t remember this quote .. thanks!
Not a good quote for every situation, but sure, i'll remember that
Yes... This is closer to Stoicism
Remember any time you describe it, it changes. So your description is not it.
Negative emotions are unavoidable. If you feel bad, that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with you. Don't try to run away from it, because whatever you resist will persist. Give yourself permission to accept, then let go. 💫
Exactly! We need to stop avoiding negative emotions and instead just experience them head on. The same way you don't skip the sad, scary, or intense scenes in movies.
This reminds me of my dad, whenever he sees I'm slightly annoyed he has to always intervene in an inquisitive way, now that's fine generally but then he has to start doing therapist and try and dig deeper, then I'm like what you're saying, I just tell him "I'm allowed to be negative, negative emotions are a part of life." Obviously I understand he's my dad therefore he'll be concerned but he still needs to understand I am not someone that is positive 24/7 like he is, therefore these types of emotions will flare up here and there and will resolve themselves or over time stop.
@@MrGlostuber
Nonetheless, you still have an awesome dad! My entire family would never try to cheer up me when I'm sad or experiencing negative emotions.
@@prasadisfat
Negative thoughts are our own creation!!!....They are exactly like Vampires in that respect,They arise out of our own beliefs,primal fears and instincts but then they can only enter with our permission!!.......Not just the negative emotions,the same holds for even bodily urges and cravings like Lust,Greed etc....!!....So the idea of facing them is counter-intuitive!!!.....E.g,How can something as inherently powerless as Lust ever affect humans???...
يرحم والديك . 😇
A dude was bragging to me on all his achievements, he was really a hustler. He asked me what were my achievements, I told "nothing." He said if I achieved nothing in these 27 years, I'm not gonna achieve anything in the next 27 years. This guy has his office above mine. Few months later his office closed down, his business downsized back to the way he started, on laptop running over cafés, in fact slowed down more with hardly any projects in. On the other hand, my office still running to this day, through struggle and hard times during pandemic thank God we still have sustenance coming in, keep working what we've been working to live and progress. What I meant before when I told him "nothing" was, there was nothing for me to brag and be arrogant in, most importantly there was nothing for me to profile on my achievements as I wasn't looking for job with him.
Sallylemon
Good, stay humble. 👍
einzelganger: * posts video *
everyone: ah shit, here we *grow* again
I bursted out laughing. This was great
Lmaoooooo
Ha 👏👏👏
lol
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
As far as I know I wasn’t asked if I wanted to be born in a human body, so I accept it. I doubt I’ll be asked how or when I want to die, so I accept it. With this knowledge why would I complain about things not going my way? It’s never been my way. So I accept it and go with the flow.
It’s the way of the Universe and it’s best to align yourself with it.
100% Agree
Very underrated comment
T.R.U.T.H
Very insightful
This sums up the video. Thanks!
I have been taught that I have to try my best, but the most certain result is I'm exhausted as I tried too hard. This is a tough time for me, and maybe for everyone else on this planet. This video is like a reminder. Let it go.
💚
I'm going through a rough one ass well right now........I feel exhausted and drained ....I feel i am lost and out of place in the world at the moment .......I hope I see better days soon and I hope you do to.........divine energy bless us all
Patricia your quote is so untrue and fall of false hope
How can someone who has nothing enjoiy life that is the most impossible thing for man to do is to be happy when he is in a deep dark pile of shit with nothing to live for by his side
Grind without thinking about how much work it is and you’ll find your job isn’t as hard as you think, you’re simply lazy
I had a great awakening through gardening . Everyone always complimented my “ green thumb” but I felt silly accepting such a compliment because it was clear to me that I wasn’t doing anything besides maybe making sure my potted plants were given water. Everything is happening on its own. The seed sprouts a grows without anyone or anything doing it. The same happens with us. We are not doing anything even though it can appear we are efforting. The same force that moves the planets and sprouts the seeds is the same force that is typing this message . You can let things happen or fight every step of the way, either way it’s not YOU doing it .
New to the channel and it's founded ideas. Using the example of a potted plant is cliche, the plant needs more than water etc.. the same with a human being, we don't live by bread alone, we are here on this planet to make a difference and be in survival mode constantly, that's how you get out of the ghetto. Just a thought.
@@Archafel01 just saying we are not doing anything . Life is happening by itself . There is no single unique individual doing it. Plants grow , hearts beat, lungs breathe
My plants keep dying probably because of my Wu-Wei method… 😅 Sometimes we actually do need to take conscious intentional action.
@@user-no8in6py9f yes but we are not the ones deciding to take action. It just happens 🤷🏻♀️
@@user-no8in6py9f but are YOU taking action or is the consciousness that is you taking action ?
"Problems solve themselves eventually" is one of my favorite quotes. And I also often say: "a flower doesn't bloom in winter", meaning that everything happens in a right time and it's useless to push it.
But people working in business don't like to hear that 😆
Anyway I agree with everything that was said in the video 🙂
😊😊😊😊
I guess it depends on where you live because my flowers have been blooming all winter lol. 😂
It is the same principle as in so many other philosophies & spiritual traditions. If you want to control the uncontrollable, you create all kinds of obstacles for yourself
It's true, but "control is an illusion" is just one small facet of wu-wei. The biggest takeaway from wu-wei (and what Westerners tend to have a problem grasping) is the idea of non-aggressive passive action. I don't mean aggressive as in attack, but aggressive as in going out of one's way to initiate and perpetuate an action because you believe it's the right thing to do. True wu-wei is about allowing things to take their natural course without ego or willpower influencing the path. A leaf floating down a river is the best analogy to wu-wei.
i disagree with this principle. it breeds passivity and mindlessness. letting things happen? those events or happenings are majorly created by fellow humans.
been living like this for years thinking this is the ideal. it eventually makes my life barely existent
@@swordmonkey6635 and yet we need to question here the propensity of said action.
without exertion of ego or willpower you cannot command an action towards other people.
actions that dont involve others into fruition is the only one you can apply this said principle
👏🏼👏🏼
@@jJust_NO_ Interestingly, most of those philosophies fully embrace _mindfulness_ not mindlessness. The same is true for rigorous striving and hard work.
Noticing non-controllability is something entirely different from passivity. People in flow states gave up control in a sense, but are far from passive and incredibly productive
*"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." Charles Spurgeon*
Hey! I always see you everywhere I go. 🤣
And how much we ignore.
As a Zen student we are taught that what is considered an accurate translation of We-Wei is not non-action but non-calculated action. We are to take action, as the moment dictates, as nature requires. We act in accordance with nature as the moment requires, a non-calculated action, one involved in the moment, in the Now ...
To me personally, Wu-wei is fluctuent, the path of least resistance, like water flowing into a river that moves things with it, but it has no definitive form, it is all of those possible form, emerging into the one which fit the lock that is the mix of current events and context.
When I think about it in a non-egocentric way, the universe is the same as Wu-wei, Wu-wei is being the same as the universe. Every atom reach stability in the way of less effort, yet stay reactive. Being alike the universe, working with it, flowing within it, acting like it, all of that is Wu-wei, to me, it is the flow of the universe, and it is the art of letting it take you were it is the easiest for you to enact your nature
Acting in accordance with nature while being involved and non-calculated seem to be the result of Wu-wei, it is not it's intent nor purpose, it simply is as it is. The world we see and live in is made of matter that all follow the same rules, of course following those rules will make you share similar emerging properties. This take/vision of it, is one of moral values made to feed human ego and nothing else, and the reason for that is to compel and be understandable to ego-driven people.
I would be interested into the take of you or your teachers upon that, as I'm always hungry to learn more, and see things as they are.
@@jaimytourigny3027 Well said. It is life itself to act according to the moment and then to let it go while always being present in the moment, for that is all we have.
This connected with me 100%. I have been in situations where I know without a doubt this was meant for me and I need to take action NOW. Every time this happened things worked out great for me. Something is really watching out for me and I’m still working on completely letting go and becoming more in tune.
@@adnan_velic Well said :)
Lovely insight:
No less
No more
Just so
I noticed ego is the reason why things go wrong. Ego is a child that is wild , selfish, greed, and out of control. Having awareness of the ego and balancing it is very important
"The Centipede was happy quite,
Until a Toad in fun
Said, “Pray, which leg goes after which?”
And worked her mind to such a pitch,
She lay distracted in a ditch
Considering how to run."
- Katherine Craster
Oh 😮🙌🙌
What a Gem
“Let your concern be with action alone, and never with the fruits of action. Do not let the results of action be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction.”
Bhagavad Gita
Thank you.
Also known as "God grant me the strength to change what I could change , the serenity to accept what I couldn’t and the wisdom to know which is which".
The best one so far in the comments
Amen
Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Honestly, I’m doing this emotionally more conscious than ever right now. I’m going through a breakup and suffering a lot, facing fears so deep I can’t help myself whilst triggered. So I’m simply putting the focus on what does feel in my control, and I’m letting the process of grief happen in it’s own time, not following my mind/overthinking or ego, but choosing to go with my gut and the natural way my body heals. I feel like I trust the process of the body (emotional body too) to cleanse and repair itself automatically, which feels like such a relief. ♥️
Reflection is truly key. Humanity should dare to look deep within, but it should also accept that more than mere physical Reflection is required for true, celestial enlightenment.
"Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind's journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul's fate revealed. In Time, all points converge; hope's strength resteeled. But to earn final peace at the Universe's endless refrain, we must see all in nothingness... before we start again."
🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨
--Diamond Dragons (series)
My day always gets a tad better whenever Einzelgänger publishes another video. Best channel on TH-cam!
Thank you for the compliment :)
I miss my dad.
Letting go is hard.
@@tobiaswatson2741 me too, Tobias. Me too. My dad has been deceased for already three years yet his image and my memories of him stay strong and I remember him with joy and gratitude. Sometimes we think we lose people when they part away, but the truth is, they always remain within our soul. I'm a Hindu, so we might have different beliefs, but I personally believe that people live eternally, and as long as we keep the memory alive, they will be here with us. I know this might sound like New Age mumbo-jumbo but trust me: grief doesn't last forever. Love does. But not earthly love. The one who persists is that which has no bounds and chooses none but all. I recommend you to spend some time remembering the good times, but keep living your present as well! One day, we will all follow the same path, and be united again.
Lost my beloved companion a few days ago. The pain is temporary. The respect remains, and the love lasts forever!
@@tabularasa_br thankyou.
I was fortunate to have found the Tao Te Ching earlier in my life during troubled times. Just as I am fortunate to have discovered Stoic philosophy through this channel. Both have helped me become a better, more peaceful person. Thank you for all the wisdom you shared with the rest of us! I love how Lao Tzu's teachings remind me of the great advice that Marcus Aurelius left behind..."“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” And also echoes the sentiments of Seneca as well...“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing."
Stuart wilde
I didn't read all of your thing, but I concure.
☮
I’m learning this now. Letting things happen. Anytime I try to force my will on anything they backfire on me. It’s like letting go of expectations
Wu Wei reminds me of a 5 rhythms teacher, speaking of 5 principles:
Letting in
Letting out
Letting go
Letting go of letting go
Letting be
The way the philosophy is delivered , the ambient peaceful music in background is just wonderful.
These videos are so peaceful
"Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." -Lao Tzu
I’m always happy to see one of these videos that explain a concept that I’ve had in my head in a way that I couldn’t articulate before. For years I’ve been the friend in my group that just understood that forcing your actions rarely lead to a better result than letting things unfold in the order that they’re supposed to
Right, I had old friends who would always like chase and chase boys and girls just “wanting to date” and at first it was just for fun but months later it became their worst problem as you couldn’t even have a basic convo without them interrupting and saying.
“What a great stooory or whatever but can you look at this PERSONS PFP!?”……..like are you kidding me. I used to enjoy hanging out in your company and now i didn’t even know who was like….in front of me lol.
So then my gut was like “it’s been a good few years but a break or pause is needed” so I slowly just start…moving away. And then the last words was I told them was “yeah it’s been great thank you for happy memories”…….and they were bragging! YEAH I AM BETTER AND MORE MATURE than you blah blah blah.”
I just deleted the number and played some relaxing Nintendo music for 1 hour lol.
The phrase “everything goes” has been a huge help for me. It’s not just accepting things as it should be but knowing that everything passes and will flow naturally as it should gives me comfort. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t act when it’s necessary but more on accepting things as it happens.
I needed this. Today, especially. Thank you so much. The start of a new project of mine was clearly ego-driven, and I was stressing over the things that I could not change. This video literally saved me from avoidable heartbreak.
Reflection is truly key. Humanity should dare to look deep within, but it should also accept that more than mere physical Reflection is required for true, celestial enlightenment.
"Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind's journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul's fate revealed. In Time, all points converge; hope's strength resteeled. But to earn final peace at the Universe's endless refrain, we must see all in nothingness... before we start again."
🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨
--Diamond Dragons (series)
I like Alan Watts' comments: "...the Taoist principle of ‘Wu Wei;’ of action in the spirit of not being separate from the world. Realizing so fully that you are the Universe too, that your action on it is not an interference but an expression of the totality." Throughout my life, I have internalized this as 'there is no wrong way to live your life' and 'every life experience is valid.' This is beautiful, but also dangerous. Someone is an alcoholic because that is their role in this universe, which has alcoholics, for example. It can be kind of defeatist.
The principle assumes that you are forever reaching higher consciousness! Which means you are conscious(ness) most of your lifetime. That maynot be the case. Most of humanity is in a trance - this is what the more enlightened creatures have deemed! I tend to agree with them!
thank you for posting this. definitely helps me change my view of life.
I believe that if someone is an alcoholic, then they are called to be that for whatever lesson it will teach them. Sometimes, that lesson is learnt in this life time. Sometimes it’s not. My task there though is not to interfere. I’ve come to see that I can’t claim responsibility for someone else when I’m still trying to master myself
No
The alcoholist has its place in the universe. The fact that we think it shouldn't exist is just a normative statement. It's a narrow way of looking at the totality
It is so hard to let things just happen. We have been taught and conditioned to maintain control over all aspects of our lives.
This is so true and what I struggle with the most. I really like what Daoism teaches but so many of us grow up with mentalities of obsessing over control in our lives. It causes a lot of anxiety!
@@distractedrecon Keep your rhythm, find the balance, follow the way of nature, and some seemingly hopeless problems will be solved by themselves
It's hard but not impossible. Meditation greatly helps in controlling the ego. That doesn't mean we shouldn't plan things in life or not have goals, but we shouldn't force them to happen immediately. Let it happen and evolve naturally.
Brilliant video as always and congrats on hitting 1 million subscribers. Truly deserved and thank you for inspiring all us.
Hey, nice to have you here, colleague :). Thank you for the congrats and compliments! 🙏
You both are my favorite
Dang it Einzelganger, I want to send money that I can't spare. I'll figure out a way. In the meantime, it's now now and I'm tired.
@ I love the ideology, can you please elaborate on how to relate this with real life circumstances..
Llⁿ9
"Trying is the first step to failure"
Homer Simpson
Well... 😂
HmmMm
You go Homer!
Lol
Hah! Everyone should watch the Homer vs Frank Grimes episode.
Great video. It’s a good reminder to do our best and not be attached to the outcome. Whatever happens, happens.
Yeah mam
The most bogus video on youtube is Wu-wei. Who pulls the plants to grow faster? maybe it happens in China only. And if some odd people will not go against the norm or swim against the current, nothing new will happen in the world. No progress no inventions and no advancements.
I can't thank you enough for this. I'm in a situation where it's making me restless since I am gonna do something that's out of my comfort zone. Overthinking, how things should turn out to be, how things should be, this is something I'm forcing on myself. Literally 'preparing' as you said with the date example.
This has given me abundant peace. I'm going to let things be. Even when I will try to go against it, I'll bring myself back to the awareness of letting things be. I wish you all the love and happiness. :)
"Making an effort is one thing but intelligently making an effort is another." Precisely.
This channel is a blessing for humanity. It's always got answers to any problem and moreover helping me evolve every single day! ❤️
👀
Wise man doesn't worry about what he cannot control, he focuses on what he can, gets in peace with what he can't, and enjoys simplicity of living in the present moment.
I LOVE the idea of "going" as opposed to "doing." I always like your videos, and this one kept reminding me of what Shakespeare said about expectation being the root of unhappiness. Once again, a grand job you've done... or... not done... Either way, thank you.❤️
Good thinking. I’m gonna try asking people How’s it going? more than How’re you doing?
Do not force, do not chase, let things flow! Love it. Do not force, do not chase, let things flow! Love it.
In Shanghai in "old town" there is an active Taoist monastery & museum, at the far end is a large wall inside the structure. Go around to the back side as there is a enormous 1000 yr old carved homage to the pantheon of Gods. It is just staggering!!I I will eternally be grateful for having a conversation with an English professor in Phan Thiet (Viet Nam) over 50 yrs ago!
Needed to hear this. Ive been obsessing with the future that I tend to have anxiety/frustrations. I need to let go. What's meant to be, will be. 💗
Thank you. This video lightens me up from my current circumstance.
Just went to a Chinese-style fortunetelling place earlier today. The guy said that I need to go a certain path to flourish. This proposed path is everything against my heart and being. Its comparable to a vegan being told you need to eat meat. He even shunned my path when I revealed it and asked if that’s okay.
After watching the video, I know that nature will take its course and everything will be resolved 😊 have a good day and thanks for reading my boring story
It was not boring I found it very interesting , Thank you for sharing and have a great day! 🙂
The timing I found this video is interesting. I recently burned out from working hard, my poor health is nature's way of telling me to slow down and let go. Thank you.
Let's not forget that Lao Tzu and Confucius weren't really in the same ''camp''. Confucius insisted upon having specific ethics and that kind of thing when Lao Tzu thought that this was all nonsense and that everything is already ok as it is without human interference. I thought it was right to emphasize on this point.
Li Er certainly did not think _things_ were okay - nor did he think it was all nonsense - he thought people were in constant anguish; otherwise he would have never written a 5000 word treatise on the way to live one's life, called 'Tao Te Ching'. {Make an _effort_ to read {'The Way of Chuang Tzu by the Abbey of Gethsemani 1965'.}
Allow me to call upon an excerpted quote of Chuang Tzu, as presented by Thomas Merton's treatment; "Never in a whole lifetime do they (humans) recover their right minds. What a pity!"
Indeed, Li puts forward his philosophy on how to live a harmonious life in the _here and now_ and to do so without instigating turmoil or distress. He says: 'What bitterness! Man's thirst for survival in the future makes him incapable of living in the present. He lives for what is always out of reach."
Li is clearly disappointed in the state of affairs regarding the way in which human's operate; so, once again, your point of 'things are already ok . . . is dependent on a person's removing the blinders of social convention (which requires untold _effort_) - for it is that we must build the boat to get to the island & then . . . let the boat go.
As a salient point, Li was a senior contemporary of Kong Chiu; and consulted Kong on certain ritual matters.
As it is, Taoism and Confucianism remain two distinct responses to the social and political climate of Chinese life during the 6-5 century B.C.
As Li Er stated: _"There are _*_limits_*_ to what we can understand through rationality and reasoning. To transcend those limits, we must connect fully to our intuition."_ This is the key to *insight* , as opposed to *knowledge* , and this is the difference between _living the Tao_ and _reading about it_ or piping in your _asinīnus_ brand of providing information.
@@TAROTAI thank you!
Your videos have the best timing man! Today I woke up kinda frustrated and impatient with life and watching this calmed and steered me to acceptance. Thank you for your work!
Wu Wei - “the path of least resistance”
This is my favourite definition.
thank you soo much , cant agree more on this :
" WU-WEI is not just about lettling go , going along with the flow of nature, allowing the universe to do its job ; its a much bolder move , for which we need a lot of courage ..."
seeing clearly what your ego-driven knowlege and behavior is takes lots of courage as well ...
"Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed." Francis Bacon
"Oh well, whatever happens, happens." -Spike Spiegel
when I let go, am patient and allow things to be I find the problem is solved in it’s own time with little interference, conflict, questions are answered and my assumptions were off or completely wrong. I find it’s best to allow my emotions to naturally subside so I don’t say something I’ll regret or ultimately make matters worse. It can be challenging but life will fix itself when we get out of it’s way. Thank you so so much for this.
This philosophical idea certainly has its limits. The key realisation is that there is nothing *but* nature, including our efforts to force success (which often times work). The action-less action. The true nature of, well, nature...is that it has no biases whatsoever...and so if forcing something to work, doesent work then that is nature...and if forcing something to work, does work, that is nature also.
I highly agree with almost every philosophy presented here. Great work man
I'm learning english and one of the daily activities to improve my listening is to pick a video and pay attention. Recently youtube algorithm recomended to me this channel and is wonderful. I've learnt a lot of life things, important things and it is a joy because all the reflections and learnings have sense in different situations of my life right now. Thank you so much.
Lao Tsu: 🧙♂️You cannot change or force nature
GMO Scientists:🧑🏻🔬 Hold my beaker
Thank you for this! This is truly an eye-opener for me. So far, I have not explored so much about humanity and I am really into this 🥺✊
It's almost like when you are stressing about something in the future, only to come to find out you had nothing to worry about the whole time. Everything will be okay in the end, if it's not okay, it's not the end
John Lennon
This is basically just another name of "the art of not trying". This only works once you thoroughly understand in which way nature works then push yourself hard in that direction. Because as human beings we're extremely impatient and that's why not only we want things done but we want them done fast and that's the main motivation for most if not all modern technological inventions. Not trying means little and slow progress. Sure everything will eventually get into place but do you want to go colonize Mars in 10.000 years or next decade? This way of life is just plain impractical.
If we slowed down maybe we could get our own home in order before embarking on other worlds
Just then I renounced knowledge and, sure enough, all my problems went away! Thank you SO much.
Wow, I had no idea there was a name/philosophy to describe how I’ve come to live my life. This is it. It’s taken very deliberate effort over 10 years, and concentrated (yet in its own way, effortless) intention the past 3 years to really, truly, deeply learn to surrender and flow. In many ways, it takes as much work as other people do; it is just a different kind of work. Thank you SO MUCH for this video!
Mmmm...I notice no hateful comments...How refreshing. Where's the "God helps those who help themselves" group?
When I play Tekken there is a tendency when I'm getting attacked to look for an opening and strike as soon as I see one. I play SO MUCH better when I'm relaxed and care free. It's as if the opportunity just makes itself known to me, without thinking. When I'm thinking, I usually over analyze and try to control the battle. That only works so many times and usually on predictable scrubs. Letting things happen reminds me of another great idea from another great thinker,"Don't interrupt your opponent when they're making a mistake." Evil will only make it so far until a bunch of those offended Strike Back.
Thanks for your knowledge
I've listened to your words many times, and every time, every time, another thing clicks in my mind. Thank you.
Thank you… so far one of the best, if not the best humble attempt to bring clarity to this tremendously important concept of Wu Wei.🙏🏾
I use to meditate on the question; "What do I take myself to be?" It brought me closer to being more like an "un-carved block". I need to do this again.
This goes hand in hand with the whole thing about when Life Falls apart, does it actually fall into place when you think about it.
Thank you for this video. It is a beautiful reminder during stressful times like the ones we find ourselves in, where there is so much uncertainty. This video brought me a moment of peace.
Decades ago, I was a personal assistant to a manager. Each Monday we'd go over the 'to-do' list for the week. Each week there was one big project that he kept avoiding. Every week I would get more nervous that the big project would end up in my 'to do' basket too close to deadline and I'd end up with pressure to sort it out last minute. 6 weeks went by. I raised the issue of the big project again with him and said 'this is due end of next week, we really can't avoid it anymore.' He turned to me and said 'upper management canned it - call it a hunch, but sometimes things have a way of disappearing on their own. Imagine the time we would have wasted.' I bet he had now idea he was practicing 'Wu-wei'. All I know is that experience has influenced my decision making when it comes to prioritising ever since. Thank you for this video, very enlightening.
I love the concept of Wu-wei! There are so many practical applications!
Thank you for this timely video. I needed this. I need to return to my "uncarved block" form and let the Universe do its plans
The Way that is spoken is not the eternal Way. -Lao Tzu
Thank you so very much. A fantastic video.
Going out of my way to comment, love your content Einzel, thank you for putting these videos together!
“The Perfect Man uses his mind like a mirror - going after nothing, welcoming nothing, responding but not storing.”
Every Journey Has It's Destiny, Don't Rush! - Zhongli
I WILL have order!!!
the most relevant and easy to understand concept of wu wei. Loved that you used the story of the farmer or going on a date. Thank you.
I just noticed, I don't do Wu-wei, I use Wu-wei, in order to carve blocks of knowledge. Ergonomics to improve truthfulness and deep intelligence led me to find it the most efficient tool to wisdom, and now I know it's a full art. I need to perfect my own understanding of it, thank you for this great video!
I love Lao Tzu and Zhuangzi, thank you for deepening my knowledge with their Teachings Einzelgänger♥.
If I see someone about to jump in front of a subway train, I simply will NOT just allow it to happen..... Theres a fine balance between doing and non-doing one must always be mindful of maintaining.
This was a great explanation of Wu-Wei. Thank you for taking the time to create this video. It was a nice refresher.
When it comes to letting things happen, there is distinction between doing what is within our responsibility (like planting the seed) and letting nature happen (giving the plant time to grow).
What about providing the plant the best environment to grow?
If there is a drought are we meant to let the plant die?
If there are weeds harming the plants are we meant to let nature run it’s course?
Im still super beginner in learning about Taoism, so any discussion is helpful.
What constitutes a weed? I went to my little garden today and harvested 2 plants that I planted, and 3 more that are considered weeds, but in fact were delicious edible greens. Had I pulled them before I knew what they were, I would have had half the harvest.
Even if I'm surrounded by people I feel I'm alone with my thoughts, I don't like it because sometimes I have many negative thoughts and I become obsessed with them, I'd like to let them go away, to me that's a useful way to understand this philosophy
🥺
Exactly!
I'm so happy you got over a million subscribers, you've earned it. I've been watching your videos while I was living in China for the last several years. Now, being back in Europe, your videos really help with re-finding a footing in a very different world. It's nice to see you're taking on the Chinese philosphers in such a mature way. Keep up the good work dude!
wu wei is such a valuable principle to remember in romantic situations that are a bit uncertain. i don't need to double text. what will happen won't happen by me forcing it, and remembering that i can relax, accept any outcome and breathe bc the universe is doing the work for me.
I absolutely love your channel, always intellectually fullfilling (if I may put it this way). And the lack of (any kind) of manipulation, totally appreciated. Thank you
At this point when I'm reading LaoZhuang, half the time I read it in Einzelgänger's voice.
Ive tended to my raised garden for a few years now and its probably the best form of therapy the world can offer. My family just moved to a homestead property this past summer and I cant wait to grow some real crops!!!
Congratulations!!!! I think you and your channel deserved 1million subscribers more than most!!! Thank you for all the wisdom and support. Keep at it pal!!!
I learned something about myself. That I can let go, not force myself with something’s and sometimes it may come.
Thank you so much! This video was really relaxing to watch especially since I am going through a lot of difficult changes in my life. Change can be scary, but there's no use fighting it.
You can take charge of the change instead of letting others change you the way they wanted you to. It's all up to you. You are Dao also. Make what you desire inevitable. Let be but never let go. Be focused and be persistent like water.
May the love and the peace of Jesus be with us.
Change is scary. But staying the same is even more terrifying.
Petition for more eastern philosophies! Can you tackle things like “kata” The learning with body, “shu ha ri” art of mastery, “junbi” art of preparation, kanso, fukinsei, shibui And many more.
wow can you share any interesting books about it? I'm very interested in eastern philosophy
These videos with my morning coffee have changed my life. Thank you so much for do such amazing analysis
Thankyou so much. This is the first start, I hope I will know better in the future about letting things happen in my life.
I always look forward to your videos.
Thank you for uploading.
This was a really great video. Thank you so much for sharing! I have been applying these practices to my life for the past three years without knowing what it was called. Thank you. 💗
It's fascinating to observe the similarities between Wu-wei and Stoicism. Thank you, a very well-rounded explanation for a novice!
Thank you so much for sharing this teaching. I'm 16 and I've a big problem which is overthinking what to say, how to start the conversation etc... and it became habits and I don't know why it's happening. But now I know what to do. 🥰 Thank you so much, your videos help me a lot how to think and what is the right thing to do.
I really appreciate this video. I've just found your channel, and I bet the rest of the videos are just as good. I struggle sometimes in trying to hard to change things
In Tao Te Ching, nature is often talked about as the environment around us. Keeping in mind that Lao Tzu was growing upon the ideas of Confucianism, it is possible that the word “nature” takes on another meaning. In Confucian texts, nature often refers to the nature of one self. It was believed that humans naturally have a good nature that strives for harmony. Going against this leads to strife, similarly to how working against our environment does. There’s just an interesting parallel there.
Discovered your channel recently. Thank you for all the great work and congrats on hitting 1M subscribers 🙂
Very nicely explained. As I was listening to the explanation of Wu Wei, I found it to correlate exactly with the concept of Akarma in the Hindu tradition. In the Bhagavad Geeta, Lord Shri Krishna describes three types of actions or karmas; namely, Karma (action) , Akarma(non-action) and Vikarma (wrong /forbidden actions) . Here again, non-action does not imply doing nothing. It means doing an action for it's own sake with no expectations for the fruit of the action and relinquishing the sense of "doership" .