Wu Wei is a 2000 year old mindset from ancient China, that translates to "effortless action". Wu Wei is about allowing things to happen naturally and letting go of the need to control. It emphasizes taking action when necessary, but not pushing yourself with excessive effort, stress and tension. Implementing Wu Wei into your lifestyle can help lower anxiety, while increasing satisfaction and overall wellbeing.
Wu Wei refers to the cultivation of a state of being in which our actions are quite effortlessly in alignment with the ebb and flow of the elemental cycles of the natural world. It is a kind of “going with the flow” that is characterized by great ease and awareness, in which—without even trying—we’re able to respond perfectly to whatever situations arise.
The practice of Wu Wei is the expression of what in Taoism is considered to be the highest form of virtue—one that is in no way premeditated but instead arises spontaneously.
Make Wu Wei Part Of Your Daily Life:
1. Accept Things As They Are-
For example, let’s say that you are planning an event. Instead of obsessing over every detail, practicing Wu Wei means understanding that things may not go exactly as planned - and that is okay!
Similarly, if you didn’t get the business opportunity that you really wanted, recognize that this is a normal part of your career journey and remind yourself, “I can’t control everything, but I can make the best of whatever the outcome may be.”
When you face a challenge, ask yourself whether you have complete control over the outcome. If you don’t, make peace with it and move on.
2. Embrace Imperfection-
Allow things to unfold in their own natural way, without forcing the outcome. Know that nothing is ever perfect.
If you’re learning a new language or playing an instrument for the first time, prepare to make mistakes. You will learn, grow and evolve from them.
Allow yourself some grace. If you find yourself fixating on just the things that go wrong, stop and say: “Why would I want to torture myself to achieve the impossible? I choose to be flexible and kind to myself.”
3. Implement Mindfulness-
Mindfulness means being aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Take note of all the little details around you. How does the sun feel on your skin? Listen to the sounds of nature, like the birds and rustling leaves, or observe the shapes and colors of the flowers. Becoming mindfully aware can help with so many various aspects of life.
Wu Wei comes much easier when you pay attention to what’s happening in the present moment, in a friendly and curious way.
Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher and the founder of Taoism, once said: “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”
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