A consideration of wu-wei and Benjamin Hoff’s books
Wu-Wei is the Taoist belief in effortless action and non-action. A way it can be described is "doing everything without doing anything". On the surface this might sound contradictory, but it is a simple and elegant way to describe flowing with what life provides, similar to the Western saying "go with the flow". I think wu-wei is accepting the good and the bad life provides, and reacting to whatever is provided with love, appreciation, and happiness while knowing that all that is needed will come, and all that is not will not come. To me wu-wei seems to be achieved when one aligns themselves with the Tao and the rhythm of the universe.
I think wu-wei is an effective philosophy to adopt. It was created and practiced by Chinese Taoists in ,arguably, the most successful and long lasting society in the modern world. If Taoism is such a popular religion and philosophy in Chinese culture, and Chinese culture has been so successful and pervasive throughout history, it seems to me that these beliefs are likely quite pragmatic. From my personal perspective I find wu-wei to be a practice that improves my life in the everyday. When I was younger I read “The Tao of Pooh” which formed the basis for my concepts of Taoism and wu-wei. While I may not have been practicing these concepts from the perspective of an academic, I did integrate some of its easily understandable ideas into my daily life. I grew up struggling with relatively severe mental health disorders, as well as social misunderstandings, and large life-path upsets. These issues were difficult to overcome and adapt to but I found that the core concepts I learned in “The Tao of Pooh”, especially its descriptions of wu-wei, served as an excellent tool for my adaptation. Why be unhappy and fight against what is, when one could simply be content with what is? I believe that conflict is always unpleasant and unhealthy when it is not required. I was embroiled in the act of “going against the flow” of life for many years and it only seemed to bring suffering. When I learned to stop warring with the direction that was provided, life improved. When I learned to stop being dissatisfied with what was, happiness blossomed. When I learned to stop trying to take what I needed, it was provided to me. In my life wu-wei has been extremely practical, and I am grateful that my love of Winnie the Pooh drove young Noah to pick up “The Te of Piglet”, and later the “Tao of Pooh”. Lucky me.
