Lao Tzu – "Do Nothing", Achieve Everything

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In this video, I talk about Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Taoism, and Wu Wei.

Wu Wei is literally translated as “not-doing”, “non-action”, or “inaction”. So when taken at face value, this seems to suggest that you can accomplish everything by doing nothing. That doesn’t make much sense obviously. So Wu Wei is often translated more loosely as “effortless action” or “unforced action”, but I prefer the term “sincere action”. Everything, in my opinion, is achieved through sincere action.

Right action comes from right understanding. Right understanding comes from learning. Learning comes from involvement in the world. Involvement comes from sincere action and feedback. And to act sincerely is to live without wei or, in other words, to live Wu Wei. And to live Wu Wei, is to allow the winds and currents to take you, and so by “doing nothing”, you accomplish everything.

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FURTHER READING

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu: https://geni.us/8Aupz

NOTES

(1) Videos are just my opinion, for entertainment and informational purposes. Just some things to think about—not advice.

(2) Some of the links in the description are affiliate links which I get a kickback from—at no extra cost to you. Eg – any Amazon links.

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Comments

Freedom in Thought says:

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TheRoundandround says:

THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST EXAMPLES OF HOW SOME PEOPLE HAVE FOOLED MOST WITH THEIR IRONIES, MASQUERADING AS SOMETHING DEEP AND MYSTICAL, THROUGHOUT THE AGES. AND IF YOU DON'T GET THE IRONY, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE STUPID, THAT IS THE TRICK OF THE TRICKSTER. USE COMMON SENSE, USE YOUR HEART AND YOUR GODGIVEN GIFT OF REASON: YOU DO NOTHING, YOU ACHIEVE NOTHING.

Tejeshwar Singh says:

Thank you so much brother….. love from 🇮🇳

Muslimbek Vosidiy says:

This video i should have watched before

Tushar Mhatre says:

It is my thought that bringing should in your thinking actually helps to do things at right time and if you dont do right things at right time you will stay in the same place but i loved how you showed what wu wei is and how not to take it negatively but positively and act on it.

gigachad 🗿 says:

I love your channel!

Luca Lorin says:

It s wei wu wei

Rory Corrigan says:

fuck sake man

Reem Said says:

Thank you for your wise reflection. 🙏😌
I also discovered these beautiful laws of Wu-Wei built into the universe when I really understood authentic Islam (peaceful willful sincere surrender to the Creator). I have now become finely tuned to the natural fluid processes of self regulation that occur within me throughout the day…letting go of forcing, or trying to control. My full prostration prayers at 5 times in the day are instructed by my Creator to maintain this beautiful "Wu- Wei" state. It has triggered within me an authentic interactive relationship with the Creator that I cannot even begin to describe. "And whoever surrenders his consciousness to God, He will provide for them in ways that they never expected. And whoever puts their full trust in God, He alone will be sufficient for him. Indeed God will accomplish His purpose, for He has set for everything a decreed measurement." (Quran 65:2-3)

Rasulbek Rasulov says:

Amazing . wu wei

TechTinkering says:

Advanced thinking, do nothing achieve everything!

Heneral Luna says:

this reminds of an indian philosopher named self-help singh

Ari Kamal says:

Is that meaning go with the flow ?

Francesco Alocci says:

It's just being one with whatever happens…

Warren Bradford says:

I will use the Daoist concept of Wu Wei only when there is no problem that I have to solve right now. Doing nothing when you have problem is the worst thing you can do.

ThoreauAway says:

I have seen action in non-action compared to a dance. Imagine you’ve practiced a dance for thousands of hours. Eventually, you’ll be able to perform that dance without deliberation, without focus. You’ll just be able to tap in and perform it. When you’re tapped in like that, you’re performing action in non-action, so imagine that in everyday life.

Owen says:

this video was from my school

altheaart says:

I wish it is that realistic

Peubie says:

can anyone guide me so that I can start understanding such ideas?

YourDailyMusic says:

The video is confusing. It is not related to what the title says.

نادر الی راحمان says:

It doesn't make sense at first glance. But through experience people learn the power of the Dao aka Tao

Almog Ivanov says:

I like the part of sincerity+feedback. I'll use it from now on

DMTdreamz says:

Thank you so much for all your love and all your encouragement. We love you. Thank you.

Jehriko says:

This helped a lot, thanks!

Jai Gella says:

"Go with the flow" in other words 😊

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