The Way (Dao) and Wu-Wei

The way is wu-wei is the way or the Dao. An enigmatic way of thinking that came from ancient Chinese way of thinking. My recent studies has emboldened my thoughts on wu-wei and the way as we may speak of it in the practice of martial systems. In my attempts to further my understanding of the cultural belief systems that caused such martial disciplined practices it has come to my mind that our perceptions of the "Way" may be misaligned much like many factions of ancient Chinese thought conflicted in their beliefs and understandings to the Way and wu-wei. 

I quote, "A model of skill-mastery in any form provides one access to a type of realism that differs significantly from - and lacks some of the weaknesses of - the sort of realism found in Cartesian representational theories of knowledge. The realism that governs the skill of martial systems, for instanced, is thus reflected in the fact that techniques (tactics and strategies) can be applied well or poorly, and the difference between these two types of techniques is observable in the material realm. When a technique cannot fulfill its intended use because its fundamentals do not apply properly or because it fails to fulfill its purpose when used can be said to have been applied by a bad martial artist. One's embodied mind becoming adequate in martial fundamentals to apply technique with fundamental principles is thought to be evinced by an apparent ease of action (wu-wei) and the possession of a sort of spiritual power with observable effects."

This quote as a stand alone does not adequately convey the connections of wu-wei with the way/dao and with martial systems, i.e. a physical discipline used to provide access to a type of realism that connects through patterns, rhythms, and realism with nature and its patterns, rhythms and realism that is called Heaven (another term that is perceived to mean nature itself).

In martial systems we strive to reach an ideal level of mastery and by this we can achieve wu-wei but the Way and wu-wei encompass more than mere physical master for it requires a spiritual master as well that speaks to nature's human virtue. If the proper cultural belief system is not understood and applied then the martial system in question is often practiced by one who may not be of moral spirit. This context is taught by the Way and wu-wei so that the entire martial system or any discipline can be a representation of the perfection that already resides in nature, or heaven, thus through perfection of skill you become a fully realized human being who embodies the way in all the actions and deeds done in living as a human connected to nature or Heaven. 

Nature (Heaven), the Way, Wu-wei, and virtue are intimately linked with one another to form the way of wu-wei or the wu-wei of the way. This is a complex context that warrants further study so that one can achieve the full spectrum of wu-wei, the way and master of a physical discipline. The order of which is irrelevant since it is the holistic wholehearted one that teaches us wu-wei-the-way-the-dao. 

I continue my studies to further my understanding.