Is difficult to accept the world the way it is, just as it comes. Sometimes we tend to force things to happen and in response we just create more problems, making ourselves unhappy and suffer unnecessarily. Sometimes the best thing to do is to let things go and let them take a natural curse, in order to be leaded to success, whatever that is in each of our lives. Correspondingly, Tao Te Ching and Border Town, focus on Taoism and in both the idea of wu wei is deeply express by giving meaning to life through the constant flow of nature.
Moreover, Taoism is centered in the spiritual level of self. It is an ancient religious and philosophical system that started in China. Tao meaning “the way,” can’t be described with words, neither can it be conceived in thought. Even though Some might see it as a waist of time, humanity should allow nature to transform there lives because the Taoism’s idea of wu wei, takes away unnecessary pain, and guides people to succeed. Fist of all, a unique idea to Taoism is the “wu wei,” the nonactive.
According to Tao Te Ching, self has to be wu wei or “nonactive,” meaning that nothing is forced, artificial or unnatural. Through spontaneous obedience to the impulses of the natural essence of each human being and by striping self from doctrines and knowledge, it is possible to achieve the unity with Tao and from that comes a great power. Notably, this power allows us to transcend worldly matters, even distinct between life and death. As a result, If we remain still and quiet, we could listen to the internal call of Tao, we would act effortlessly in an efficient way.
The person that discovers Tao opens profound layers of consciousness leading to a more pure self; therefore, it is possible to appreciate the internal truth of all things. For instance, this passage from Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, exemplifies the idea of wu wei: “Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling. Not collecting treasures prevents stealing. Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart. The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies, by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. If men lack knowledge and desire, then clever people will not try to interfere.
If nothing is done, then all will be well” (3). Overall, being inactive doesn’t mean to stop, it just means that we adapt to nature, how things occur, allowing us to absorb and adjust as situations in life arrive. Similarly, Congwen also expresses the Taoist idea of wu wei in Border Town. “Nature had brought her up and educated her, making her innocent and spirited, in every way like a little wild animal. Yet she was as docile and unspoiled as a mountain tawn, wholly unacquainted with cruelty, never worried, and never angry” (5). Explicitly, this passage talks about The ferryman’s granddaughter Cuicui, or Jade Green.
She grow up with only her grandfather by her side; her parents were never around to guide her and mold her, instead nature was. Under those circumstances, nature made her pure; it mold her to be a beautiful, unique and exceptional child. Thereupon, she is a example of pure and sincere joy, even to his grandfather she was “Heaven’s agent. ” Furthermore, the Congwen expresses the Taoist idea of wu wei by allowing the reader to see the beauty in Cuicui. Certainly, in the novel she was constantly nonactive. She was never force by her grandfather or anyone to be a certain way; significantly, she grow up to be her own self. he was always intoned with nature, in harmony with everything and everyone.
Ultimately, helping her to adapted to her surrounding without desiring anything or anyone. Consequently, on a Taoist perspective, she followed her Tao from a early age and that allowed her to constantly live in a wu wei manner, free and ready to succeed ever day and be her very best. Altogether, we are part of an universe that guides’ us to achieve our most wildest dreams. We are part of this universe, just like a leaf is part of the three; nature molds’ us to be our best every day.
However, allowing nature to do its job in each of our lives is a challenge but not impossible. The challenge is to be nonactive, and act in accordance with nature. Therefore, we need to make actions without being attach to the outcome. On the other hand, we shouldn’t compete or fight; instead, we should handle our affairs with serenity and kindness to all. This in the long run, is how we achieve to life in a wu wei way. ‘The way’ is there we just need to follow our soul, which is located inside of us. All in all, Tao will guides us; it connects us to succeed in ways that words can’t express.
