9 Simple Steps for Effortless Living

Learn How to Chop Wood, Carry Water

Once upon a time, while trudging through hell on Earth, I met a man named Joey who taught me how to live effortlessly. Joey had been where I was going.

He had what I wanted; serenity.

Imagine being yourself and no matter where you go, who you meet, and what you face for challenges, no person, place, or thing can bother you.

Effortless living and working is a mindset, and the way to live, work, and play effortlessly is called Wu Wei.

That mindset is what you’ll learn by the time you’re done reading this article.

Chop Wood, Carry Water

Chop wood, carry water” is a Zen Buddhist saying that embodies the essence of Wu Wei and mindful living. It emphasizes the importance of being fully present and engaged in even the simplest tasks of everyday life.

The phrase teaches us to find enlightenment and fulfillment in the ordinary, to let go of attachment to outcomes, and to approach life with humility and gratitude.

It reminds us to cultivate mindfulness, acceptance, and a deep appreciation for the present moment, allowing us to discover peace and meaning in the most mundane aspects of our existence.

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” – Zen Proverb

What Wu Wei Is

Wu Wei is a fundamental concept in Daoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy. It can be translated as “non-action,” “non-doing,” or “effortless action.” However, as you’re about to learn, Wu Wei does not imply inaction or laziness.

At its core, Wu Wei refers to a state of being in which one aligns oneself with the natural flow of the universe, acting in harmony with it rather than against it.

It involves finding a balance between taking action and allowing things to unfold naturally, without force or unnecessary effort. It is about being in tune with the present moment, responding intuitively, and allowing outcomes to manifest without attachment or resistance.

Wu Wei emphasizes the cultivation of spontaneity, simplicity, and awareness. It encourages individuals to let go of their ego-driven desires, striving, and the need to control outcomes. By doing so, we can tap into the inherent wisdom of the universe, trusting in its natural order and allowing life to unfold effortlessly.

In practical terms, Wu Wei can be seen as a way of engaging with the world that is characterized by flow, ease, and effectiveness. It involves acting with mindfulness, making choices that are aligned with the greater good, and embracing the interconnectedness of all things.

Overall, Wu Wei invites us to live in harmony with themselves, others, and the world around them, embracing a state of effortless action that leads to a deeper sense of peace, fulfillment, and authenticity.

“The most powerful Zen is the Zen you practice in everyday life.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Finding Your Way Is Up to You

When I first learned about Wu Wei, the concept made sense. The truth is, by practicing it now for almost 20 years, it has become a way of life.

Practicing Wu Wei is similar to “praying without ceasingly” as Saint Paul suggests in Thesselonians.

That doesn’t mean I can’t or won’t get upset. I can and do. But being content is more than norm which makes all the difference for quality of life.

Living the Wu Wei is a daily habit. It means learning to catch my former faults sooner, to process my emotions internally, and stop sweating the small stuff, and pretty much all of life including death.

The way you find Wu Wei is by practicing daily.

“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Nine Simple Steps to Follow

Focus on giving yourself permission to let go of any delusion of controlling people, places, or things. Your objective is to learn to manage your mind and body with simplicity, compassion, and patience.

Here are nine simple steps for you to embrace an effortless way of living the Wu Wei:

1.?Embrace the present moment.?Release attachments to the past and worries about the future. Focus on the beauty and opportunities that exist in the present moment.

2.?Cultivate awareness.?Develop a heightened sense of self-awareness by observing your thoughts, emotions, and actions without judgment. This awareness allows you to make conscious choices aligned with the natural flow of life.

3.?Let go of control.?It’s a delusion. Just try and control your thinking, and you’ll see what happens. We have to let go! Recognize that there are aspects of life beyond your control. Instead of resisting or forcing outcomes, surrender to the flow of the universe and trust that everything is unfolding as it should.

4. Practice non-striving.?Imagine yourself floating effortlessly down a river. Chill. Shift from a mindset of constantly striving and chasing after goals to one of contentment and gratitude for what is already present in your life. This opens the space for effortless action.

5. Trust your intuition.?Ignore your soul, and you’ll feel dead inside. Tune in to your inner voice, the subtle whispers of intuition. By trusting this inner guidance, you align yourself with the wisdom of the universe and make decisions that feel effortless and true.

6. Embrace simplicity.?Less is more once you have too much. Simplify your life by letting go of unnecessary possessions, commitments, and distractions. By decluttering your external and internal spaces, you create room for ease and clarity.

7. Cultivate patience.?It’s a virtue for good reason; impatience can become maddening. It’s based on fear, naturally. Recognize that everything has its own timing. Patience allows you to flow with the natural rhythms of life and trust that things will unfold at the right moment.

8. Practice non-resistance.?Resistance to life is futile once you know what Pauly knows. Rather than resisting challenges or difficulties, accept them as opportunities for growth and learning. By letting go of resistance, you can navigate life’s obstacles with greater ease. In every situation, ask, “Why did this happen?” “Because it did.” Accept all, move on.

9. Embrace interconnectedness.?Solitary confinement is the cruelest form of punishment, and many of us do it to ourselves, especially men. Get connected and give! Serve others. Practice seeing similarities instead of differences. It’s a choice you can make in each moment.

Recognize that you are an integral part of a vast web of life. Cultivate compassion, kindness, and empathy towards others, knowing that our actions ripple through the interconnected fabric of existence.

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders." - Lao Tzu

Going With the Flow

By following these nine simple steps, you can embark on a path of living effortlessly. Embrace the present moment, cultivate awareness, let go of control, and trust your intuition.

Simplify your life, practice patience and non-resistance, and embrace interconnectedness.

Living effortlessly is not about achieving perfection or completely eradicating challenges. It’s about practicing radical acceptance with all that is, especially when you don’t like a person, place, or thing.

It’s letting go, and letting your notion of God run the show. You are the faithful copilot, and you navigate life being your best in every moment.

You approach life as you; Wu Wei is your invitation to dance with the rhythms of existence.

Through Wu Wei, we all have the potential discover a profound sense of peace, fulfillment, and harmony in our lives.

So, I invite you to embark on this transformative journey. Embrace the principles of Wu Wei and allow your life to unfold with effortless grace.

May you find joy, contentment, and a deeper connection to yourself and the world around you.

Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” – Bruce Lee

This article was originally published on Medium. I’m a partner in a commercial real estate investment, development, and consulting firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona. When not serving our client investors, my passion and mission is empowering people to transform by understanding the convergence of faith, spirituality, psychology, and neuroscience. Subscribe to the Soul Psyche Newsletter on Substack by clicking here.