Short Response

Wu wei, which is sometimes translated as “non-doing” or “non-action.” A better way to think of it, however, is as a paradoxical “Action of non-action.” 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 Taoist principle of wu wei has similarities to the goal in Buddhism of non clinging to the idea of an individual ego. A Buddhist who relinquishes ego in favor of acting through the influence of inherent Buddha nature is behaving in a very Taoist manner.  Wu wei shows that when we stop making waves, and learn to wait and watch, we see outside forces more clearly and make wiser moves. Act hastily, and every step is a potential blunder, with emotion and ego driving our decisions more than reason. Wu Wei doesn’t exclude violent actions; rather it recognizes actions impact results. Wu Wei works with a pause as a step in your actions to see all the potentials and best choose options that are graceful. Wu Wei doesn’t mean nonviolence. Rather violence is a forced action and to be used with wisdom. Taoists accept violence as part of life but the times it should be used is minimal.