Wu wei (Chinese: 無爲; a variant and derivatives: traditional Chinese and Japanese: 無為; simplified Chinese: 无为; pinyin: wú wéi; Korean: 無爲(무위); Vietnamese: Vô vi; English, lit. non-doing) is an important concept in Taoism that literally means non-action or non-doing. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu explains that beings (or phenomena) that are wholly in harmony with the Tao behave in a completely natural, uncontrived way. The goal of spiritual practice for the human being is, according to Lao Tzu, the attainment of this purely natural way of behaving, as when the planets revolve around the sun. The planets effortlessly do this revolving without any sort of control, force, or attempt to revolve themselves, instead engaging in effortless and spontaneous movement.
In the original Taoist texts, wu wei is often associated with water and its yielding nature. In illustration, it can assume any form or shape it inhabits.
Wu may be translated as not have or without; Wei may be translated as do, act, serve as, govern or effort. The literal meaning of wu wei is "without action", "without effort", or "without control", and is often included in the paradox wei wu wei: "action without action" or "effortless doing". The practice of wu wei and the efficacy of wei wu wei are fundamental tenets in Chinese thought and have been mostly emphasized by the Taoist school. One cannot actively pursue wu wei. It manifests as a result of cultivation. The Tao is a guide.
Wu Wei may refer to:
Wu Wei (simplified Chinese: 吴伟; traditional Chinese: 吳偉; Pinyin: Wú Wěi; born 10 March 1983 in Tianjin) is a Chinese footballer currently playing for Chinese Super League side Hangzhou Greentown as a defender.
Wu started his professional career with Chinese Jia-B League side Zhejiang Greentown in 2002. He made an impression within the team in the early years as Zhejiang Greentown won promotion to the first tier at the end of the 2006 season. He was a substitute player when Zhejiang Greentown played in the Chinese Super League and was released in January 2012 after Takeshi Okada became the head coach of the club.
Wu joined Guizhou Renhe in February 2012. He made 6 appearances for Guizhou in the 2012 league season, all coming on as substitute.
In January 2014, Wu returned to Hangzhou Greentown after Okada left the club.