Executive Briefing: Action Through Non-Forcing
Wu Wei is not lethargy or passivity; it is non-coercive, spontaneous action aligned with the grain of nature—exemplified by water, which yields to all obstacles yet hollows out mountains.
1. Governing a Great State Like Cooking a Small Fish
Laozi’s political philosophy advises rulers not to poke or over-regulate citizens, warning that excessive laws manufacture criminals.
2. References
- Slingerland, E. (2014). Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity. Crown.