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Tl;dr There is no try. Only Do. Practical advice from The way to approach this concept it to first understand your struggle. Beneath the need to struggle is a

Tl;dr There is no try. Only Do. Practical advice from The way to approach this concept it to first understand your struggle. Beneath the need to struggle is a fear that the world is an unfriendly place and you are not supported. This view arises from the mind rather from the way, which teaches that the flow, the ever present essence of life, is the way. You can trust that the way will lead you. In truth, the mind-made view of the world, where struggle is necessary, is merely illusion. No matter how real it might appear. Wu Wei is the way. To follow Wu Wei you must first let go of struggle. Stop fighting with life and trying to make things happen. You are struggling against the flow. You must first realize that you can give this up. Then it is the case that you act, you are not passive - merely waiting for things to happen, but you are no longer opposing the flow of events. Instead, you act, but let go into the uncertainty of life, and you see how life actually occurs. You become open to the mystery of which you are part. In a sense it is total acceptance of yourself and this moment. Of course, it is necessary to practice this. While the way is not of time, and we can be there in an instant, practice connects us to this place over time. Through practice the way reveals itself. Only through practice can this truth be revealed. e.g.: Water may be directed and controlled by man-made dams, but it will always flow to its destination naturally. To be in accord with that nature, give up making dams for it only delays that flow. Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_wei#Practice http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_wei#Practice

thewarrior 12y ago
This video also has some explanations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq10ZvZgxy4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq10ZvZgxy4 It's part of a course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Gjc0RG2y8&list=PLii66kkyf4Nj9VozYbkZ05RLZiwH9cSDN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Gjc0RG2y8&list=PLii66kkyf4...
nsomaru 12y ago
[edit: formatting] Well, yes. But there are different levels of "doing." In particular, Vedantic metaphysics divides the human being into body, mind, intellect; corresponding with perceptions & actions, emotions & impulses, and rational thought, respectively. The body finds its impetus to act from either the mind, the intellect, or a combination of both. For an action to be "perfect" (to the best of one's ability), one needs to focus the mind in the moment. Most new-age analysis ends here, but Vedanta goes further to say that the mind naturally moves into the past (via worries) and the future (via anxieties), and that it is the intellect alone which may focus the mind in the present moment via a "higher" ideal. "Higher", in this context, simply means that one should have a goal that goes beyond one's selfish, self-centred interest. For example, in the context of an employee, this might mean working for the sake of one's company and its betterment, rather than selfishly working solely for a paycheck. When working thus, the set of conditions for one's own happiness become broader, and thus the mind is more easily able to focus on the present moment, rendering an action "perfect." Of course, there's more to it than this. My guru has written entire books on the subject. Source: Studied Vedanta for three years under A. Parthasarathy at the Vedanta Academy (http://www.vedantaworld.org http://www.vedantaworld.org)
- varchar 12y ago
  Interesting to see mainstream news media carry such articles. Many people in ancient India tradition delved into nature of mind, intellect, memory, ego extensively. They considered delving into this "inner world" a worthy pursuit. Vedanta which literally means "end of knowledge or final knowledge" primarily are in the Upanishad texts. They are typically discussions between teacher and students on nature of mind, intellect, ego, meditation, samadhi etc. Very interesting but best learnt under a competent teacher. The tradition is to first experience (through meditation, silence etc.) and then understanding would dawn automatically. The Bhagavad Gita which is said to be over 5000 years old says that "wise sees inaction in action and action in inaction". Almost everyone experiences this sometimes in life. It also talks about the wise one being skilled in both pravritti and nivritti - which broadly means ability to act hundred percent and also the ability to totally let go at appropriate times. This is considered a precious skill. There is a vast treasure house of wisdom in the Vedantic tradition. But needs a good teacher to correctly interpret it, complemented with regular meditation, reflection etc.
wsc981 12y ago
Your comment reminds me a bit of the lyrics from the Tool song 'Parabola' (which I personally find a beautiful song): So familiar and overwhelmingly warm This one, this form I hold now. Embracing you, this reality here, This one, this form I hold now, so Wide eyed and hopeful. Wide eyed and hopefully wild. We barely remember what came before this precious moment, Choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside... This body holding me, reminding me that I am not alone in This body makes me feel eternal. All this pain is an illusion. Twirling round with this familiar parabol, Spinning, waving with each new experience recognize this as our only ? Celebrate the chance to be Alive and breathing One chance to be Alive and breathing We barely remember who or what came before this precious moment, We are choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside This holy reality, this holy experience. Choosing to be here in This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal All this pain is an illusion. Alive, I In this holy reality, in this holy experience. Choosing to be here in This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal All this pain is an illusion. Twirling round with this familiar parabol. Spinning, weaving round each new experience. Recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing. This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality. Embrace this moment. Remember. we are eternal. all this pain is an illusion.
ekr 12y ago
First ran into this concept (not exactly the same concept) here http://lesswrong.com/lw/uh/trying_to_try/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/uh/trying_to_try/ I still have a lot of struggle in my life, slowly I'm getting there.

thewarrior 12y ago

This video also has some explanations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq10ZvZgxy4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq10ZvZgxy4 It's part of a course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Gjc0RG2y8&list=PLii66kkyf4Nj9VozYbkZ05RLZiwH9cSDN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Gjc0RG2y8&list=PLii66kkyf4...

nsomaru 12y ago

[edit: formatting] Well, yes. But there are different levels of "doing." In particular, Vedantic metaphysics divides the human being into body, mind, intellect; corresponding with perceptions & actions, emotions & impulses, and rational thought, respectively. The body finds its impetus to act from either the mind, the intellect, or a combination of both. For an action to be "perfect" (to the best of one's ability), one needs to focus the mind in the moment. Most new-age analysis ends here, but Vedanta goes further to say that the mind naturally moves into the past (via worries) and the future (via anxieties), and that it is the intellect alone which may focus the mind in the present moment via a "higher" ideal. "Higher", in this context, simply means that one should have a goal that goes beyond one's selfish, self-centred interest. For example, in the context of an employee, this might mean working for the sake of one's company and its betterment, rather than selfishly working solely for a paycheck. When working thus, the set of conditions for one's own happiness become broader, and thus the mind is more easily able to focus on the present moment, rendering an action "perfect." Of course, there's more to it than this. My guru has written entire books on the subject. Source: Studied Vedanta for three years under A. Parthasarathy at the Vedanta Academy (http://www.vedantaworld.org http://www.vedantaworld.org)

varchar 12y ago
Interesting to see mainstream news media carry such articles. Many people in ancient India tradition delved into nature of mind, intellect, memory, ego extensively. They considered delving into this "inner world" a worthy pursuit. Vedanta which literally means "end of knowledge or final knowledge" primarily are in the Upanishad texts. They are typically discussions between teacher and students on nature of mind, intellect, ego, meditation, samadhi etc. Very interesting but best learnt under a competent teacher. The tradition is to first experience (through meditation, silence etc.) and then understanding would dawn automatically. The Bhagavad Gita which is said to be over 5000 years old says that "wise sees inaction in action and action in inaction". Almost everyone experiences this sometimes in life. It also talks about the wise one being skilled in both pravritti and nivritti - which broadly means ability to act hundred percent and also the ability to totally let go at appropriate times. This is considered a precious skill. There is a vast treasure house of wisdom in the Vedantic tradition. But needs a good teacher to correctly interpret it, complemented with regular meditation, reflection etc.

wsc981 12y ago

Your comment reminds me a bit of the lyrics from the Tool song 'Parabola' (which I personally find a beautiful song): So familiar and overwhelmingly warm This one, this form I hold now. Embracing you, this reality here, This one, this form I hold now, so Wide eyed and hopeful. Wide eyed and hopefully wild. We barely remember what came before this precious moment, Choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside... This body holding me, reminding me that I am not alone in This body makes me feel eternal. All this pain is an illusion. Twirling round with this familiar parabol, Spinning, waving with each new experience recognize this as our only ? Celebrate the chance to be Alive and breathing One chance to be Alive and breathing We barely remember who or what came before this precious moment, We are choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside This holy reality, this holy experience. Choosing to be here in This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal All this pain is an illusion. Alive, I In this holy reality, in this holy experience. Choosing to be here in This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal All this pain is an illusion. Twirling round with this familiar parabol. Spinning, weaving round each new experience. Recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing. This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality. Embrace this moment. Remember. we are eternal. all this pain is an illusion.

ekr 12y ago

First ran into this concept (not exactly the same concept) here http://lesswrong.com/lw/uh/trying_to_try/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/uh/trying_to_try/ I still have a lot of struggle in my life, slowly I'm getting there.