By Maurice Stephens

When exploring the idea of Wu Wei, often translated as “effortless action” or “non-doing,” it becomes clear that the concept reaches beyond simple abstract philosophy and into any lived experience.

To better understand how this principle resonates today, I spoke with several individuals on campus to hear their perspectives. Their insights reveal how Wu Wei is interpreted, challenged, and applied in daily life, offering a bridge between ancient thought and modern practice.

Junior Genesis Chinchilla said, “Yeah! The more you live freely, the more you live effortlessly.”

When asked about effortless action, freshman Barry Barnett responded by saying, “Something you do without thinking of. Some things are out of your control; if you try to control it all, you are going to mess up God’s plan for you.”

When asked what the phrase “go with the flow” means to him, Barnett said, “Some things are just going to happen, and you must accept that. The way you react becomes your reality.”

Freshman Noah Hamlet had these thoughts on what effortless action meant to him: “You do it without really putting that much thought into it; you flow with what you’ve got going on.”

On “go with the flow,” he added, “I wing it for real, that is me. If something happens and I got to wing it, I am going to wing it, and wing it like a pro.”

“For example, for me with wrestling, what effortless action is showing up every day and doing what I do in practice, because that has become a part of my routine, part of who I am,” said senior Nick Menjivar.

When asked, “Do you think life flows better when we stop trying to control everything?” he responded, “I think it does. That is something I have had to really try to focus on recently. Instead of focusing on trying to control everything, I just focus on what I can control, and whatever happens, happens. I think my mom said it best: prepare for the worst, hope for the best.”

“Go with the flow” means to him, “Say you have a big test coming up—you can’t stop it from happening. You just must do what you do and then just wait for the result. Whatever happens, happens.”

In hearing from students across campus, it is clear that Wu Wei, or effortless action, is more than just a philosophical concept—it is a mindset that continues to shape how people live and approach everyday challenges.

Whether it is Genesis embracing her freedom, Barry trusting in his faith, Noah’s confidence in adaptability, or Nick’s discipline through routine, Wu Wei reminds us that both peace and progress often come not from forcing outcomes, but from allowing life to unfold naturally—trusting that by doing our part and letting go of control, we can move through the world with greater harmony and an even greater purpose.