Power, Place and Daoism

The Role of Nature in Power, Place, and Daoism

“The nature of the Dao is to be self-actualizing, creative, and spontaneous (Miller. 171).” It is also known or stated that the way someone can reach that state of naturalness is through the principle of Wu-wei. The action of non action, action without effort. When what ever action comes about, the action seems to be or is felt as almost nothing. In chapters 64 and 65 of the Tao te Cheng, the principle of Wu-wei is being portrayed. “When they know that they don't know, people can find their own way (Mitchell. 65).” Through self-actualization you can find your own way. Just like in the trials and death of Socrates it says something like the men who think they know something actually don't know anything, a man who is wise knows the he knows nothinh and admits it. I believe that nature is a great part of Daoism because the Dao has come to be understood in correspondance to “creative harmony that emerges between humans, the heavens and the earth, a harmony that has implications for the way we manage our societies, and the way we take care of our bodies (Miller. 171).” Like nature the Dao is like a part of everyone and everything in a way. In the Tao te Cheng there was an analogy about a giant pine tree and how it grows from a tiny sprout and journeys about a thousand miles, and it all starts beneath our feet. Action of non action, letting nature take it's course. Things take time and it is best to not interfere with something that is natural, let it do what it is meant to do. “Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you loose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what is almost ripe (Mitchell. 64).” If you rush something that is already happening or taking course on it's own you will fail. Nature plays a role in our knowledge and education because according to Deloria power is the living energy that inhabits and/or composes the universe and place is the relationship of things to each other. He...