from Verse ThirtyWhen people govern by inaction, this is contrived, and so it is harmful. Those who govern by inaction are deliberately being inactive, and those who act in a deliberately contrived manner cannot be uncontrived. The who cannot be uncontrived cannot be creative.~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
At first glance, the above passage seems to contradict the concept of wu wei, action through non-action. However, once it is realized that wu wei does, in fact, involve action as part of its definition, then the seeming contradiction evaporates.
When someone asks a question of us and we choose simply not to respond at all, our silence is an answer. It is in this same vein that deliberately choosing not to act when action is called for is an action in and of itself. In reality, we can't choose not to act because action and inaction are both forms of being.
When leaders consciously decide not to act upon a need within society, their non-action serves a purpose -- often a selfish purpose. It's the same for each of us as well!
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
When someone asks a question of us and we choose simply not to respond at all, our silence is an answer. It is in this same vein that deliberately choosing not to act when action is called for is an action in and of itself. In reality, we can't choose not to act because action and inaction are both forms of being.
When leaders consciously decide not to act upon a need within society, their non-action serves a purpose -- often a selfish purpose. It's the same for each of us as well!
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
I am glad you explained this one, my mind was boggled. hee hee
ReplyDeleteHey, a lot of this stuff boggles my mind too! :)
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