Trying Not to Try

1. Wu-wei: The art of effortless action and spontaneity

Wu-wei literally translates as "no trying" or "no doing," but it's not at all about dull inaction. In fact, it refers to the dynamic, effortless, and unselfconscious state of mind of a person who is optimally active and effective.

Effortless mastery. Wu-wei is a state of being where one's actions flow naturally and effortlessly, yet with remarkable effectiveness. It's characterized by:

• Deep concentration without conscious effort
• Optimal performance without overthinking
• A sense of being "in the zone" or "in the flow"

Ancient Chinese wisdom. The concept of wu-wei is central to early Chinese philosophy, particularly in:

• Confucianism
• Daoism
• Chinese Buddhism

Modern relevance. Wu-wei has parallels in contemporary psychology and performance studies, such as:

• Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of "flow"
• Sports psychology's idea of "being in the zone"
• Mindfulness and meditation practices

2. The paradox of trying not to try

How could you make yourself not want something that you actually do want?

The central tension. The paradox of wu-wei lies in the contradiction between:

• Desiring a state of effortlessness and spontaneity
• Actively trying to achieve that state

Manifestations in daily life. This paradox appears in various situations:

• Trying to fall asleep when you can't
• Attempting to relax when you're stressed
• Forcing yourself to be spontaneous in social situations

Cultural universality. The paradox of wu-wei is not unique to Chinese thought:

• It appears in various forms across different philosophical and religious traditions
• It reflects a fundamental aspect of human psychology and behavior

3. Confucian approach: Cultivate virtue through rigorous training

For both Xunzi and Confucius, wu-wei—the complete absence of effort—can be obtained only through an "accumulation of effort."

Cultural cultivation. The Confucian strategy for achieving wu-wei involves:

• Intensive study of classical texts and traditions
• Rigorous practice of rituals and proper behavior
• Cultivation of moral virtues through conscious effort

Long-term transformation. This approach aims to:

• Reshape one's natural tendencies through education and practice
• Internalize cultural norms until they become second nature
• Achieve a state of effortless virtue through years of conscious effort

Potential pitfalls. Critics of this approach argue that it may lead to:

• Artificiality and hypocrisy
• Excessive focus on external forms rather than inner sincerity
• The "village poseur" problem, where people appear virtuous without genuine inner transformation

4. Laozi's strategy: Embrace simplicity and naturalness

Get rid of learning, and you will have no worries.

Return to naturalness. Laozi's approach to wu-wei emphasizes:

• Rejecting artificial social conventions and learned behaviors
• Embracing simplicity and the "uncarved block" (pu) state
• Aligning oneself with the natural flow of the Dao

Critique of civilization. Laozi argues that:

• Cultural sophistication leads to artificiality and suffering
• Excessive desires and knowledge create unnecessary complications
• True wisdom comes from unlearning and returning to a state of natural simplicity

Practical implications. This philosophy suggests:

• Minimizing desires and ambitions
• Avoiding unnecessary interventions in natural processes
• Cultivating a mindset of non-attachment and spontaneity

5. Mencius' middle way: Nurture innate moral tendencies

Being harmonized, you must be free of preferences; having been transformed, you must be free of rigidity.

Innate goodness. Mencius proposes that:

• Humans have innate moral tendencies or "sprouts"
• These sprouts include compassion, shame, respect, and the sense of right and wrong
• Wu-wei can be achieved by cultivating these natural inclinations

Balanced cultivation. Mencius' approach involves:

• Recognizing and nurturing one's innate moral tendencies
• Using conscious effort to create conditions for these tendencies to flourish
• Avoiding both excessive force and complete passivity in moral development

Moral imagination. Mencius emphasizes the role of:

• Moral reflection and visualization
• Extending one's natural feelings of care to wider circles
• Gradual expansion of spontaneous moral behavior

6. Zhuangzi's letting go: Forget and flow with the Dao

The highest Virtue does not try to be virtuous, and so really possesses Virtue.

Radical spontaneity. Zhuangzi's approach to wu-wei involves:

• Forgetting social conventions and personal identity
• Embracing the natural flow of life without resistance
• Achieving a state of complete openness and responsiveness

Mind fasting. Zhuangzi recommends:

• Emptying the mind of preconceptions and learned knowledge
• Listening with one's qi (vital energy) rather than the intellect
• Allowing intuitive wisdom to emerge naturally

Skillfull spontaneity. Zhuangzi illustrates wu-wei through stories of:

• Artisans and craftsmen who perform with effortless mastery
• Sages who navigate complex social situations with ease
• Individuals who transcend conventional notions of success and failure

7. The social dimension of wu-wei and the power of de

De is radiance that others can detect, and it serves as an outward signal that one is in wu-wei.

Social efficacy. Wu-wei is not just about personal experience but also about:

• Moving through the social world with grace and effectiveness
• Inspiring trust and cooperation in others
• Exerting a positive influence without conscious effort

The power of de. De (virtue or charismatic power) is:

• A natural consequence of being in a state of wu-wei
• An attractive force that draws others to the sage
• A sign of genuine commitment to shared values

Trust and cooperation. The wu-wei/de dynamic plays a crucial role in:

• Facilitating social cooperation among strangers
• Providing reliable signals of trustworthiness
• Creating social harmony without the need for external coercion

8. Modern science validates ancient Chinese insights on spontaneity

There is now general agreement that human thought is characterized by two distinct systems that have very different characteristics.

Dual-process theory. Modern cognitive science distinguishes between:

• System 1: Fast, automatic, and largely unconscious processes
• System 2: Slow, deliberate, and conscious reasoning

Neuroscience of wu-wei. Brain imaging studies suggest that wu-wei states involve:

• Decreased activity in areas associated with self-awareness and conscious control
• Increased activity in regions linked to automatic processing and intuition
• A balance between focused attention and relaxed processing

Evolutionary perspective. The importance of wu-wei and de can be understood in terms of:

• The challenges of large-scale social cooperation
• The need for reliable signals of trustworthiness
• The evolutionary advantages of genuine commitment to group values

9. Balancing conscious effort and unconscious wisdom

The paradox exists because the kinds of virtues that people care about and value in others center on who you are, not necessarily what you do.

Integration of systems. Achieving wu-wei involves:

• Harmonizing conscious intentions with unconscious processes
• Developing skills to the point where they become automatic
• Cultivating genuine commitments that guide spontaneous behavior

Context-dependent strategies. Different approaches to wu-wei may be appropriate for:

• Different individuals based on their personalities and inclinations
• Various stages of skill development or moral cultivation
• Distinct social or cultural contexts

Embracing paradox. Rather than seeking a single solution, we should:

• Recognize the inherent tension in cultivating spontaneity
• Appreciate the value of both effort and effortlessness
• Develop flexibility in applying different strategies as needed

10. Applying wu-wei in contemporary life for personal and social harmony

Our excessive focus in the modern world on the power of conscious thought and the benefits of willpower and self-control causes us to overlook the pervasive importance of what might be called "body thinking": tacit, fast, and semiautomatic behavior that flows from the unconscious with little or no conscious interference.

Personal development. Cultivating wu-wei can lead to:

• Enhanced performance in various domains (work, sports, arts)
• Greater personal satisfaction and well-being
• More authentic and fulfilling relationships

Social implications. Embracing wu-wei on a broader scale could contribute to:

• More harmonious social interactions
• Increased trust and cooperation in communities
• A balance between individual authenticity and social cohesion

Practical strategies. Some ways to cultivate wu-wei in modern life include:

• Mindfulness and meditation practices
• Developing expertise through deliberate practice
• Creating environments that support spontaneous, value-aligned behavior
• Balancing periods of intense effort with times of relaxation and "letting go"

Last updated: March 21, 2025