Hello!
I’m currently working on a two-part article about a strand of Eastern Orthodox Christianity that parallels East Asian inner cultivation. It’s complicated and taking longer than expected. In preparation to start teaching classes next week, I’ve also been writing a fair amount of introductory material about Daoism and the foundations of Daoist inner cultivation. You can now find this plus information about classes on the Nüwa’s website. Read on for a discussion about the truly profound quality of wuwei, or non-action.
Wuwei is often translated as non-doing, non-action, or non-governance. It’s one of the most distinguishing features of the Daoist tradition and must be developed in order to progress past the foundational stages of practice. Wuwei is also probably the most misunderstood concept within Daoism, largely because it’s misinterpreted as an abstract philosophical idea. Instead, it should be understood as a specific quality that arises within a practitioner as a result of correct practice; as a state of non-discriminatory awareness, rather than intention.
Wuwei can be explained with reference to a constellation of related qualities and principles. Most methods of Daoist inner cultivation begin with the principle of zheng (correct structure). Having established the correct physical alignments and focus of mind, we then apply the quality of song (release around structure). Correct structure is maintained, whilst all forms of excess tension are released. Song opens the body and mind, leading to a kind of strength that is derived from suppleness, buoyancy, and expansion. Song is dependent on the principle of ting (listening, sensitivity). In order to deepen release, our awareness must first be able to locate and penetrate areas of tension. Song and ting work in a symbiotic relationship, with each deepening in relation to the other. Once zheng has been properly established and ting and song developed to a high level, then wuwei arises naturally.
As wuwei develops, space opens within oneself on many levels. Within the mind, the tangle of knots relating to one’s identity and sense of self begin to loosen. We return to a state of ziran (naturalness, such-ness), also referred to as pu (un-hewn simplicity). Wuwei is a profound state, the implications of which Daoism explores at length. It’s linked to being desireless, and associated with the supreme presence and clarity of mind needed to fathom the deepest mysteries. Constantly residing in wuwei, it was assumed that a practitioner may begin to approach the Dao.
One of the important things to note about the quality of wuwei is that it arises when the correct conditions have been established within the mind and body. For this reason, we can say that wuwei (non-doing) arises as a result of wei (doing). The ground must be prepared correctly before wuwei can arise of its own accord.
“Cultivation begins with action, and here people struggle to perceive. Arriving at non-action, then all begin to understand. But if you only see non-action as the essential marvel, how will you know that action is the foundation?”
— Wuzhen Pian (10th century CE)
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道炁長存,
Oscar
A finely written post. Most people miss the "structure" aspect of wu-wei, that it possesses a relationship to li (理) and is underwritten by a complementing discipline that is more subtle and refined than simple carefree doing. The story of cook Ding from the Zhuangzi being the best example of disciplined ease in performance. Of course, I have to wonder what Christian practice you are referring to?
Its interesting when one goes back to a pre Christian era, the basic message is all the same, whether East or West, North or South.....