Smoothness is a synonym for a Taoist lifestyle. It enables us to get things done with absolute minimum effort. Similarly, the Tao Te Ching shows us how to steer away from trouble, focus on the essentials, and enjoy our days to the maximum.
Lao-Tzu’s teachings are meant for people who want to lead a smooth life, devoid of unnecessary stress, hostility, conflicts, and drama. After adopting Taoist habits, we can become more relaxed and more determined to keep disruptions at bay.
While modern gurus exhort us to work harder in the pursuit of our goals, Taoism calls for parsimony of effort. It’s all about identifying what’s strictly necessary to achieve our objectives, so that we can let go of the rest.
Instead of endless striving, we should just aim at doing what needs to be done. Instead of pursuing power, wealth and fame, we should adopt a balanced and harmonious lifestyle, which is the primary requisite for happiness.
A pillar of the Taoist lifestyle
Wu Wei, the non-action principle, constitutes the pillar of a Taoist lifestyle. It means staying away from worthless projects, questionable characters, and doomed situations. It often means saying no when everybody else is saying yes, exerting pressure on dissidents and critical thinkers.
Smoothness is the direct consequence of embracing Wu Wei in daily life, but before I give further explanations, it is crucial to dispel the idea that Wu Wei is effortless, costless, automatic, and easy to master.
If we expect Taoist living to be effortless, we will be sternly surprised by reality. If we expect philosophical independence to be automatic, we will be exhausted by the mental strength it demands.
Taoism is not for philosophical or mental weaklings. Let us not be fooled by the ease of experienced Taoists such as Lao-Tzu, Yang-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu. Their lifestyle is the result of decades of trial and error, reflection and simplification. It won’t be achieved overnight by declaring allegiance to Taoism.
Chapter 48 of the Tao Te Ching enunciates the basic tenet of Wu Wei. It says that, when we practise Taoism, we should drop something every day.
We should let go of some false philosophical idea, unworthy project, or dissatisfying relationship every day. We should look for ways to do less, simplify things, and eliminate unnecessary work each day.
The antithesis of smoothness
If we want to achieve a smooth lifestyle, we should focus on the process, not on the result. How do we learn the process? By studying the ideas of Yang-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu, especially their short stories, and learning the underlying principles.
The biography of Pope Alexander III (1105-1181) provides a vivid illustration of a lifestyle antithetic to Taoism. Instead of steering away from conflict, Alexander III couldn’t get enough. He got involved in wars in Italy, France, Spain and Byzantium, and also tried to play a hand in English politics.
In doing so, Alexander III constantly sought new sources of funding, sent legates and raised armies. He theorised about the creation of a world theocracy, where he, as Pope, would be the supreme leader, and everybody else would have to obey.
In practice, like all lovers of conflict, Alexander III did not achieve much. He tried to play on too many chessboards at the same time, and ended up losing one game after another.
Sadly, thousands of soldiers and civilians got killed in the wars supported by Alexander III. He claimed to be inspired by high ideals, but in practice, he was just seeking to increase his own power and wealth. No wonder that his biography does not show the slightest sign of smoothness.
Taoism exhorts us to do exactly the opposite. Every time we encounter obstacles, we should seek to minimise conflict, look for an alternative path, and move forward unmolested. There is no merit in throwing oil to the fire, and no reward from turning small problems into large ones.
What “doing nothing” means
Chapter 37 of the Tao Te Ching notes that Taoists often get their objectives accomplished by doing nothing; that’s a vastly ambitious formulation of Wu Wei, but we shouldn’t misread its message.
By “doing nothing,” it does not mean remaining passive and waiting for a miracle to solve our problems. We should not rely on miracles to solve our difficulties. Supernatural solutions are unlikely to happen, and do not provide the basis for a workable strategy.
Chapter 37 of the Tao Te Ching should be understood as a call for simplification, conflict avoidance, concentration on the essentials and an active search for alternative paths. I wouldn’t underestimate the mental strength required to practise Wu Wei, even if, at first sight, it seems easy and pleasurable.
In contrast to Lao-Tzu’s teachings, Alexander III refused to renounce his martial mentality, and continued to pour oil into the fire in Italy, France, Spain, Byzantium and England. He did not even try to adopt a balanced and harmonious lifestyle.
Alexander III wrote scholarly works in support of his desire to rule the world. I’m sure that, if he had gained access to more resources, he would have claimed more territories and started additional wars.
I can only exhort readers to stay away from people who are prone to aggressiveness, and from all events or projects that, in one way or another, undermine peacefulness. Let us turn peace of mind into a philosophical ideal to be pursued relentlessly.
Wu Wei generates a smooth lifestyle because it purifies our intentions and actions. It helps us get things done efficiently by staying away from trouble, not by pushing harder. The tangible difference is immense, but it takes a Taoist to comprehend all the ramifications.
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