I first learned of wu wei from a fiction book, lying by the pool at The Ventana Inn in Big Sur, California. 

Divine timing, and such beautiful proof that messages and lessons that we need to hear will find us in myriad ways. And totally random. 

The universe speaks to us through so many avenues — from signs in nature, to quotes on social media, we always are beautifully provided for and will receive the wisdom we need if we are open to it. 

In this case, I realized that the way of wu wei was parallel to how I had been intuitively living, loving, and leading from my feminine energy, and what I was teaching women to do more of through my private coaching practice + The Embodied Goddess Sisterhood. 

Ancient Taoist wisdom… feminine energy… neurons firing … insight!

I think I might be onto something here… Thanks, universe! 😉 

The Taoist concept of wu wei is really about orienting to the reality of the present moment, and being open and willing to change your trajectory, based on the guidance you’re receiving in that moment. 

Easier said than done, right?

If you were to honestly ask yourself right now how you react in situations where things aren’t going “your way,” what normally happens?

Do you react or respond? And is it from a place of openness and trust, or resistance and fear? Is it empowered or victimizing for you to do so? Does it create more love, or more suffering?

I know that for me, it used to look a lot more like I was throwing a tantrum when I came up against resistance and things weren’t working out in line with my hefty expectations for myself, others, or the experience I was having. 

The beautiful thing about this, and all of life, is that we have the CHOICE. 

We are the co-creators of our experience here, in life and business. Everything that shows up on our path here is SO intentional — it’s meant for us, and it’s an opportunity for us to grow into who we need to become before the next lesson, challenge, success, checkpoint, or experience we’ll have.

Wu wei translates directly as “action without action” and “effortless doing.” Wu wei adapts and moves flexibly, flowing with the natural order of things, and leaning fully into what is in the present moment. 

If one pathway is blocked, or there is resistance, the way of wu wei intuitively chooses another based on the immediate circumstances. It’s about attuning to the natural rhythms, tides, guidance, and way that life is unfolding for you, trusting in divine guidance and perfect timing. 

So when things aren’t going the way your human mind, in its limited awareness + perception, thinks they should, you are creating an expectation + judgment of the present moment, which leads to resistance instead of acceptance + subsequent growth. 

Wouldn’t it be so much easier, fun, fulfilling, flow-y, and luxurious to embrace a new approach where things can just flow? Where you can just show up and dance with whatever life is offering you? Where you can be fully present, actively receptive, and just trust? 

I don’t know about you, but… for me, that’s a no brainer! 

Wu wei is not certainty or uncertainty, because it is not in the mind at all; it is a movement that flows and never forces. It’s an animate, alive, tuned in and turned on state of openness that shifts organically with the crest and fall of each moment. 

Often times, I hold space for + listen to my clients struggling with expectations and uncertainty. Being willing to get cozy with uncertainty is directly proportional to how fully we are willing to live, and therefore how “successful” we will be, by our own definitions. 

When we focus on creating certainty TOO much, it draws us out of the present moment. When we are constantly worrying about the “what if’s” and the possible outcomes that haven’t happened yet, we are truly wasting our energy and missing the magic of the moment that’s here right now, and all the guidance it has to offer us. We unplug, we disconnect from our intuition and feminine bodies where our superpowers live, and we forget what we already know to be true at the deepest core of our beings.

We tend to forget that everything is actually perfect. That we are okay. That we are enough. That we will always be provided for and already have everything within us that we need to create absolutely ANYTHING we can dream up. 

Adapting a wu wei practice is accepting a change to attune to the rhythm of each moment and follow its tempo, cadence, swing, and pace. Go with the flow… be in a state of BEING, instead of DOING. Get out of the head, and into your body. Trust the timing and trust yourself to know when it’s time to act, when it’s time to rest, and when it’s time to ask. 

Try it on this week!

How do you show up and dance with what life is offering you, getting curious about what the lesson might be that you’re meant to receive from whatever is happening in that moment?

Share with us in the comments below what you’ll do differently this week by trying on the way of wu wei!

If you get lost or confused, just ask the universe for a sign. Surrender it, and then be open to receiving the guidance you desire. 

Have a magical week, beauties!

Love + Light, 

Emily