Captain Michael: There is an idea in Taoism called wu wei.
It is often translated as “non-doing.”
That makes it sound like an excuse to
There is an idea in Taoism called wu wei.
It is often translated as “non-doing.”
That makes it sound like an excuse to sit on the porch and watch somebody else mow the grass.
It isn’t.
Wu wei is action without unnecessary force.
It is knowing when to act, how much effort is required, and perhaps most importantly, when to stop pushing.
A sailor knows something about this.
If the wind shifts, you can stand at the helm wishing it would shift back.
You can pull harder on the sheets.
You can curse a little.
I have personally conducted enough research to confirm that last one has very little effect on wind direction.
Or you can trim the sails.
Same boat.
Same destination.
Same sailor.
But instead of fighting what is, you begin working with it.
We are taught to admire effort.
Work harder.
Push through.
Never quit.
There is certainly a time for all of that.
But wisdom may also mean recognizing when all that effort is being spent fighting something that never needed to be fought.
The Taoist does not ask:
How can I make life cooperate with my plans?
He asks:
What is life already doing, and how do I move with it?
That is not passivity.
That is seamanship.
And maybe this Sunday morning, there is something in our lives that would benefit from a little less force and a little more attention to the wind.
#Taoism, #WuWei, #TheWatercourseWay, #LaoTzu, #Wisdom, #SailingLife, #LifeAfloat, #LiveaboardLife, #Philosophy, #TheWay, #CaptainMichael
Captain Michael: There is an idea in Taoism called wu wei. It is often translated as “non-doing.” That makes it sound like an excuse to s
There is an idea in Taoism called wu wei. It is often translated as “non-doing.” That makes it sound like an excuse to sit on the porch and watch somebody else mow the grass. It isn’t. Wu wei is action without unnecessary force. It is knowing when to act, how much effort is required, and perhaps most importantly, when to stop pushing. A sailor knows something about this. If the wind shifts, you can stand at the helm wishing it would shift back. You can pull harder on the sheets. You can curse a little. I have personally conducted enough research to confirm that last one has very little effect on wind direction. Or you can trim the sails. Same boat. Same destination. Same sailor. But instead of fighting what is, you begin working with it. We are taught to admire effort. Work harder. Push through. Never quit. There is certainly a time for all of that. But wisdom may also mean recognizing when all that effort is being spent fighting something that never needed to be fought. The Taoist does not ask: How can I make life cooperate with my plans? He asks: What is life already doing, and how do I move with it? That is not passivity. That is seamanship. And maybe this Sunday morning, there is something in our lives that would benefit from a little less force and a little more attention to the wind. #Taoism, #WuWei, #TheWatercourseWay, #LaoTzu, #Wisdom, #SailingLife, #LifeAfloat, #LiveaboardLife, #Philosophy, #TheWay, #CaptainMichael
There is an idea in Taoism called wu wei. It is often translated as “non-doing.” That makes it sound like an excuse to sit on the porch and watch somebody else mow the grass. It isn’t. Wu wei is action without unnecessary force. It is knowing when to act, how much effort is required, and perhaps most importantly, when to stop pushing. A sailor knows something about this. If the wind shifts, you can stand at the helm wishing it would shift back. You can pull harder on the sheets. You can curse a little. I have personally conducted enough research to confirm that last one has very little effect on wind direction. Or you can trim the sails. Same boat. Same destination. Same sailor. But instead of fighting what is, you begin working with it. We are taught to admire effort. Work harder. Push through. Never quit. There is certainly a time for all of that. But wisdom may also mean recognizing when all that effort is being spent fighting something that never needed to be fought. The Taoist does not ask: How can I make life cooperate with my plans? He asks: What is life already doing, and how do I move with it? That is not passivity. That is seamanship. And maybe this Sunday morning, there is something in our lives that would benefit from a little less force and a little more attention to the wind. #Taoism, #WuWei, #TheWatercourseWay, #LaoTzu, #Wisdom, #SailingLife, #LifeAfloat, #LiveaboardLife, #Philosophy, #TheWay, #CaptainMichael
