Tao the Philosophy of Non-Action

Tao

The philosophy of non-action in Lao-Tzu's Tao Teh Ching

Tao is beyond words and beyond understanding. Words may be used to speak of it, but they cannot contain it" (1:1). The way of the Tao is the force that propels the entire universe. The way of the Tao is also the way that human beings should conduct themselves in the world. Rather than focusing on worldly competition, accumulating knowledge and understanding, the author of the "Tao Teh Ching" Lao-Tzu stressed that: "Less and less remains until you arrive at non-action. When you arrive at non-action, nothing will be left undone. Mastery of the world is achieved by letting things take their natural course" (48:2). In other words, for a human being to be at one with the Tao, rather than resist nature and external forces, the person must seek to be one with those forces, for those forces are 'the way' of the Tao. Action only generates the need for more action, and is thus fruitless.

Instead of attempting to control things, which people often attempt to do in political and academic environments, it is better to be one with the rhythms of nature and the inevitable flow of life. "In the pursuit of learning, every day something is added. In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped" (48:1). Through non-action and harmony with the universe, happiness is created because people are not continually striving to make the world and to formulate their characters into something the world is not, and they are not. Even when fighting in accordance with the Taoist way, one should bend with the prevailing wind: "Those who wish to use Tao to influence others don't rely on force or weapons or military strategies. Force rebounds" (30: 1).