Several years ago, after spending months getting the word out for a retreat, I thought to myself "I wonder what will happen if I practice the Taoist art of Wu-Wei-the art of non-action for the next one?"
Since I had already ran one successful retreat that summer, I was unconcerned if a second one would work out. The truth is--it was an experiment of the Tao principle of Wu-Wei - non-action.
So I did nothing. Asides for the retreat being listed on my website, I did not spread the word in my classes, to friends or anybody. I did not make any posters or do any marketing or promotion at all.
I thought: "Let's see if this art of Tao works"
And you know what happened? Nothing happened.
My experiment of doing nothing taught me that The Art of Wu Wei must mean something beyond its literal naked meaning.
The art of non-action, also known as Wu-Wei in Taoism doesn't mean sitting on the couch like a couch potato doing nothing and expecting clients and money to fall into your lap. That's like visualization without action, or practicing the art of manifesting without moving beyond your affirmations and daydreams. It doesn't yield what you desire.
Non-action has a greater meaning: it's action that feels like non-action because you're swimming downstream. You're moving with the current. You're moving from a place of joy and ease.
Joy and ease could mean you tell every person you meet about your next event: you're so filled with excitement about it you can't stop yourself from telling your neighbor, mailperson, and cashier at the supermarket about it.
Swimming downstream means taking the action that feels so fulfilling and energizing that it feels like you're doing nothing at all.
Have you ever done something where time seems to vanish? You're so in the moment, having so much fun, that time seems to escape to another dimension-until you look up at the clock and can't believe 4 hours whooshed by.
Often our creative work aligns us with this magical force of flow-which is the essence of non-action.
On the contrary - swimming upstream is when every minute you look up at the clock and you can't believe it's only 9.15 am. You have no idea how you're going to make it through the day. Every action you take feels like you're moving through concrete, and the heaviness of the task feels like hardcore labor.
The art of non-doing isn't about literally doing nothing. It's about taking the action that lifts you up, propels you forward with a force that seems to carry you-it feels like you're not doing anything because it feels so natural, joyful, and liberating.
Sometimes what seems like non-doing could be heavy-duty-doing.
For example, all those years ago when I thought I was practicing the Tao by not telling anyone about the retreat, there were several times I wanted to mention it to friends or at the end of a class and invite students, but my commitment to what I thought was the Tao led me to go against my inclination-against ease by withholding the information. That took more work than if I had shared it.
That is not practicing the Tao. If doing nothing takes more effort than doing something than you've misunderstood the wisdom of Wu-Wei (like I did!)
Doing nothing doesn't mean doing nothing unless it does...
There are certain times where doing nothing is the right action. For example you receive an ultimatum about something. It makes you feel sick. Instead of instantly responding you decide to pause and practice non-doing by taking some time to meditate, breathe and allow some space before making a decision.
Through your non-doing on the outer realms, you actively do in the inner realms through meditation and seeking clarity on the best way to handle the situation.
Here's another example I always see on Law Shows like Law & Order and The Good Wife-Attorneys asking the judge for more time--delaying proceedings because they're awaiting new information to come through.
Some people call this a delaying tactic--buying time to get more information before taking action.
Buying time is a smart choice when the clear choice isn't clear.
Whenever you have a decision to make that doesn't feel clear--the best action is to delay.
Give yourself the time to consult with your inner-CEO (through meditation) to receive insight to help direct your next move: an action that will feel so right that you're flowing downstream--ultimately practicing the Taoist art of Wu Wei.
So how do you know you're practicing The art of Wu Wei?
1. If the most ease-filled action is clear - act on it. No matter how vigorous the action appears on the outside it's like non-doing because it happens with such flow and grace that this is the definition of non-doing. It's allowing grace and flow to take over and guide the actions forward.
2. If the decision is unclear, and you need time to reflect in order to make a decision that feels like the Tao then you will consciously non-do by taking time for meditation, reflection and seeking further information in order to come to a decision that allows you to proceed from a state of flow, ease, and grace.
The Taoist art of Wu Wei holds great wisdom, but like all great wisdom, the surface literal meaning isn't always what it seems. By taking the action that feels most honest and aligned with that inner YES feeling - you're riding the wave of the Tao.
Have a story about how you followed the The Art of Non-Doing in helping you take action or get a dream outcome? Please share in the comments below.
Tova Payne is a writer and consultant based out of Vancouver, and focuses on bringing mindfulness into business in order to operate with more productivity, clarity and innovation. Her new book Soulful Entrepreneurship will release in late 2016. Stay updated by joining her insider's newsletter at www.tovapayne.com and get a free copy of The 5 Keys to Start and Finish Your Projects--sign up at www.tovapayne.com