Have you learned Wu Wei – the art of effortless achievement?

Have you noticed that some people struggle through life while others seem to effortlessly advance. Have you noticed or wondered why some have to work very hard for little; while others seem to achieve so much with seemingly little effort.
I am not talking about people who lie or cheat or get things, but good people who seem happy and relaxed while achieving mush with no to little struggle on their part.

We see it many times in great athletes. They soar through the air, hit a golf ball, or move beautifully with almost no effort, no forced struggle. We say they are in the “zone”.
I say they that these athletes have learned to live the ancient philosophy of Wu Wei.
All of us can master the concept of Wu Wei as well.

Wu Wei is one of the basic beliefs of the Tao Te Ching; the ancient Oriental book of philosophy and wisdom. The Tao was written by Lao Tzu 500 years before the birth of Christ.

The 8th Verse of the Tao talks about Wu Wei. It states:

“The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying.
Live in accordance with the nature of things.
Be timely in choosing the right moment.
One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things.
He moves in harmony with the present moment, always knowing the truth of just what to do.”

Do you push and force things to happen. Do you try hard and receive little.
Perhaps you should learn Wu Wei. A tree does not struggle to be a tree. It also does not try to be a rock. It knows its essence, it trusts in its nature and effortlessness matures to a stately tree.
A trained athlete practices and works but does not force. He or she lets their true essence unfold and trusts that their training will shine through when needed. They then play the game with abandon and trust. They do not “try” they simply do. As with a tree it does not ‘try” to be a tree and work and struggle. It simply lets itself effortlessly “be “a tree.

So think of Wu Wei as you go through life. The fundamental tenets of Wu Wei are “non action, or “effortless action”, or”natural doing”. This sounds like a paradox, but it is not.
Think of nature or of the planets revolving in the Universe. They do this action without willful action. The just without struggle or difficult action “do “it.

to learn more on Wu Wei and the Tao Te Ching visit http://www.thetaoWarrior.com