Following the Way as Non-action

十二

老子

~What is meant by non-action? How can non-action be learned? How is non-action expressed?

~Why is non-action the way to follow the Way? How does non-action lead toward sageliness?

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Tao Te Ching 63

Act without action.

Do without ado.

Non-action or wu-wei is one of the most important facet in the philosophy of Taoism. It implies acts that which are spontaneous, natural, and effortless (Kardash, 1998). Wing Tsit-Chan (1963) described non-action as “not inactivity but rather taking no action that is contrary to nature”. The Tao’s behaviour is natural and it works in great harmony with nature and so the Tao “invariably takes no action, and yet there is nothing left undone (Tao Te Ching, 37). This implies that the non-action then is the way of and to the Tao. 

The Tao regards weakness as something that is good and this weakness can also be a manifestation of non-action or the other way around. The way to the Tao is moderation and this is where the principle of non-action lies in- it lies in the middle ground between too much and too little. Doing things naturally is non-action and doing things naturally is the way to the Tao. Finding your balance in whatever work that you do is one of the ways where one can express the value of non-action. 

Non-action in the Taoist philosophy also requires one not to force things. Tasks should not be rushed but instead, the Tao requires one to take it easy, find one’s pace, and do it gradually but what should be considered in this that one should be focused with whatever task that one is doing. Do not allow desire-based distractions to throw you off your pace but when tired, rest and when you are hungry, eat. One of the many wonders of the worlds are rock formations. There rock formations are done overtime and gradually. Nature takes no action but these rocks take form into something else. Time, and the many elements that go to fro around the rocks, work is done. 

Loy, 1985

“not acting” requires eliminating the sense-of-self which is inclined to interfere. Non-interference is not really possible unless one has dissipated the fog of expectations and desires that keeps one from experiencing the world as it is in itself (Tao), and the judgement that “something must be done” is usually part of that fog. 

Through non-action as the way to the Tao, one should also know when to stop or when to let go: withdraw as soon as your work is done (Tao Te Ching 9). After your work is done, stop. Do not seek for gratification in exchange for the product of your labor and do not do you work just for to be gratified. Do not take possession of the fruits of your labor lest they take possession of you. 

Tao Te Ching 64

He who takes no action fails.

He who grasps things loses them.

For this reason the sage takes no action and therefore does not fail. 

He grasps nothing and therefore he does not lose anything. 

The sage know of this and so he is aware that non-action is very essential in his daily life. He is weak, he do things on moderation, and most especially, he does not go against the Tao by taking actions that are contrary to nature. He is careful in his everything and keeps guard of his senses, and so no harm comes to him. He abides the Tao through non-action and so he yields to nature. Therefore the sage who takes no action is like water- he supports all things in their natural state but does not take any action (Tao Te Ching 64).

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