Wu Wei

Meaning

Acknowledging the flow of adverse extremes, Wu Wei is the center, embracing all that exists to balance harmoniously. Focusing less on the discomforts of life’s quarrels, Wu Wei is in knowing oneself to exert energy and grow where opportunity feels most natural.

Origin

Published in China within Taoist 6th-century BC text: Tao Te Ching by Laozi

In Practice

• Have patience with yourself.
  Conserve your energy, do not force action where you discover insurmountable resistance—recognize that action is not always necessary and let the universe inspire your movement.
• Be mindful of your anger, judgments, and passing thoughts of others.
  Consider that all beings are connected by their birth and return to existence—reflect on this to harmonize with them as an extension of yourself.
• Meditate to center yourself.
  Calm your breathing and relax your body, allowing thoughts to pendulate in and out of your mind—suspend your enthusiasm to respond to this stimulus, rather arrive at the contentment of neutrality.