#43 Awakening the Strength and Resilience Within
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 43: Discover the art of living like water, master wu-wei to find your natural flow in life
Welcome back to The Wisdom of Lao Tzu.
This week, we're delving into Chapter 43 of the Tao Te Ching.
In this chapter, Lao Tzu illuminates the path of water, revealing its inherent qualities of resilience, adaptability, and graceful acceptance of change.
Through understanding the nature of water, Lao Tzu was inspired by the profound wisdom of wu-wei.
Let’s find out how we can benefit from wu-wei and water’s way.
**43**
天下之至柔,馳騁天下之至堅。
無有入無間,吾是以知無為之有益。
不言之教,無為之益,天下希及之。
Border-crossing: English translations
#1 Lin Yutang’s version
The softest substance of the world
Goes through the hardest.
That-which-is-without-form penetrates that-which-has-no-crevice;
Through this I know the benefit of taking no action.
The teaching without words
And the benefit of taking no action
Are without compare in the universe.
#2 Edmund Ryden’s version
The softest thing in the world canters over the hardest thing in the world;
That-which-is-not enters where there is no crack.
By this I know the benefit of not acting.
Wordless teaching, the benefit of not acting:
There are few in the world who attain to it.1
#3 D. C. Lau’s version
The most submissive thing in the world can ride roughshod over the hardest in the world — that which is without substance entering that which has no crevices.
That is why I know the benefit of resorting no action.
The teaching that uses no words, the benefit of resorting to no action, these are beyond the understanding of all but a very few in the world.2
Deeper dive
Water is a profound metaphor in Lao Tzu’s philosophy. It embodies the principle that the softest substance in the world can also be the most powerful. This paradox lies at the heart of understanding how softness—often misconstrued as weakness—is, in fact, a source of resiliency and adaptability.
In its gentle persistence, water demonstrates that the capacity to endure does not necessarily stem from brute force but from the ability to flow and adapt to the environment's contours.
Water’s strength lies in its inherent nature of non-contention. Unlike hard objects that resist and break under pressure, water conforms and yields, finding its path around obstacles rather than confronting them head-on.
This attribute of water is not indicative of feebleness but instead of a sophisticated strength that allows it to persevere and continue its course, irrespective of the barriers in its way. It represents the value of embracing change and adapting to circumstances rather than rigidly opposing them.
The essence of water's approach to existence is encapsulated in the Taoist concept of wu-wei. This idea can be interpreted as action through nonaction and espouses the wisdom of not forcing change but instead aligning with the natural flow of life.
To adopt the way of wu-wei is to follow the Tao. As He Shanggong (Approximately 200 BC - ?) commented on the statement — “the benefit of not acting,”— “I understand that the Tao never acts, yet all things are transformed and accomplished through it. Thus, I know wu-wei is beneficial to all.”3 「吾見道無為,而萬物自化成,是以知無為之有益於人也。」
The wu-wei mindset encourages not swimming against the tide arbitrarily but rather moving with it in harmony. Wu-wei is about recognizing the right moment and action. In the same way, water instinctively knows when to gather its strength and yield, achieving its purpose with minimal effort and maximum efficiency.
Therefore, in its softness and adaptability, water is a powerful metaphor in Taoist philosophy for how to live a life of resilience, strength, and harmony. By adopting the fluidity and non-contention nature of water, one can navigate the complexities of life with grace and ease, embodying the principle of wu-wei to flow with the changes rather than against them, thus mastering the art of living wisely and effortlessly.
Spiritual Taoism
Lao Tzu's reflection on the virtue of water helps us understand the essence of living harmoniously with the natural world and our inner selves. He posits that the highest good is akin to water (see more discussion here), an element that thrives by nurturing all things without contention, settling in places shunned by others, thus embodying the Tao. This metaphor extends beyond its physical attributes to symbolize a profound philosophical lesson on the nature of existence and the practice of wu-wei as a means to enter the natural flow of life.
Wu-wei is not merely a principle of passive existence but a dynamic way of engaging with the world that emphasizes the importance of being in harmony with the natural order. It suggests a way of life where actions are not forced but arise naturally, like water flowing along the path of least resistance. This spiritual practice involves dissolving the rigid notions of self, along with the arbitrary whims, intentions, and impulses that often dictate our actions, leading to a state of being that is fluid and in tune with the universe’s rhythms.
Water's way, or its inherent nature, teaches us to be acutely aware of our surroundings without becoming overly entangled or enchanted by the ephemeral aspects of our immediate reality. It encourages a perspective that transcends the superficial and transient, urging us to see beyond the surface and understand the deeper currents that influence our lives. In doing so, we learn to navigate our existence with an awareness that is clear and unclouded by the distractions of the material world.
Understanding the way of water also teaches us the strategic value of humility and reserve. Its tendency to flow to the lowest places, often overlooked and undervalued, mirrors the wisdom of assuming a position that is not driven by ego or the desire for external recognition. This quality of water inspires us to appreciate the strength in quietude and subtlety, reminding us that true influence and effectiveness often come from a place of restraint and modesty.
By embodying the way of water, we learn to live with a calm attitude towards external labels and judgments, not swayed by the fleeting allure of vanity, validation, or recognition. This path leads us to a peaceful acceptance of our true nature, allowing us to live authentically and without pretense.
Following the way of water means embracing a life in which external pressures do not dictate our actions and decisions but reflect our most profound truths and the natural flow of our being.
In essence, to live like water is to integrate the wisdom of wu-wei into our daily lives, allowing us to navigate the myriad experiences of existence. As we embody water’s qualities—its adaptability, humility, and clarity—we find ourselves closer to the Tao, moving in harmony with the natural order of things.
Thanks for reading!
Wishing you peace and freedom,
Yuxuan
Daodejing, trans. Edmund Ryden. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008), 91.
Tao Te Ching, trans. D. C. Lau. (London: Penguin Classics, 1963), 50.
Wang Bi et al., Four Kinds of Laotse 老子四種 (Taipei: National Taiwan University Press, 2016), 131.
Very thoughtful - and powerful (in a good sense). In my Chi Running practice, water is often used as an image of smooth flowing - rather than strong effort. Thank you!