The Way of Non-Doing

Just stay at the center of the circle,
and let all things take their course.
(Tao Te Ching)

Please don’t take the philosophy of non-doing too literal. As long as we roam around on the blue planet we have a mission to fulfill. We have karma to burn, and life encourages us to express our nature. Some may be taken in by the Siren-calls of spirituality and think that they should stop working, stop facing the sometimes hostile world, and stop interacting with folks who don’t always have the highest vibrations.


Yet, the expression ‘non-doing’ speaks to all of us in the spiritual community. We have all been in these blessed situations when the wheels of life are turning, and all we have to do is to show up and occasionally add a little grease to the works. Some call it synchronicity, other law of attraction or divine guidance. Everything a higher Force manifests on our behalf. That’s non-doing along the Way.


Don’t do, be! That’s the insight of non-doing. Let life flow right through you. Enjoy the down-hill stroll of non-doing, and understand that the uphill climb of removing your own interferences are necessary steps to continue smooth sailing along the Way. We spiritual travelers also have to work quite hard occasionally, but we know what the struggle is all about. It is a journey of purpose every step of the Way.


Below a few additional quotes from the Tao Te Ching on the practice of non-doing:

Therefore the Master acts without doing anything,
and teaches without saying anything.
Things arise and she lets them come,
things disappear and she lets them go.
She has but doesn’t possess,
acts but doesn’t expect.
When her work is done,
She forgets it.
That’s why it lasts forever.