Inaction refers to the act of following the trend after thinking, that is, conforming to the changing law of nature, so that things can maintain their natural nature without artificial affectation, thus achieving the realm of "doing nothing without doing anything". It is a term of Taoist thought in China's pre-Qin period. According to different problems, we can adopt the attitude of "inaction" in political policy, such as government inaction and people's autonomy; It can also be used to repair the heart.

Ideological connotation

Taoist "inaction" generally contains two meanings: first, it advocates heaven (natural law), that is, natural inaction between man and nature. Put forward "Tao is natural", "Everything in heaven and earth is born, born without it, born without attachment, long without killing it". The second is to advocate human nature (personnel norms), that is, human activities should be as natural as the sky. Put forward "assisting the nature of all things, but not daring to do it". Among them, advocating human nature has two meanings: first, advocating people to conform to nature and destiny, and not to destroy the harmony and balance of nature at will; Second, in the aspect of social interpersonal relationship, it is advocated that the rulers follow the natural inaction spirit of "Tao" and try to simplify various social systems and norms to keep the folk customs simple.

Therefore, inaction cannot be understood as inaction. "Huai Nan Zi's Original Tao Xun": "Doing nothing is the Tao, and harmony is the Tao". Taoism's "inaction" means quietness and self-control, which is the ideal realm of Taoism's self-cultivation. If you can achieve this ideal state, you can do anything ("doing nothing").

The difference with Confucianism

Confucianism says "governing by doing nothing", such as The Analects of Confucius Wei Linggong: "Those who govern by doing nothing are also obedient! What's wrong with a husband? It's just to respect yourself to the south. " "Sages are wise, not waiting for them to make a difference" is the Confucian thought of "ruling by virtue", and it is the political thought of combining the thought of "being born" of Laozi and Zhuangzi with the Confucian thought of "managing the world" in Han Dynasty. This kind of thought emphasizes social harmony and nature, recuperates with the people without disturbing the people, thus promoting social stability and economic development. Therefore, it is different from the "inaction" advocated by Taoism.

Modern development

Taoism requires people to learn the simplicity and harmony of nature, so that everything can be restored to its original natural state and things can show their true colors. Man and nature should not be regarded as an antagonistic and tense relationship. People's cultural creation should not ignore the principles of nature, but should respect nature and follow objective laws. Humans should love nature, protect the ecological environment, eliminate human egoism, and return to the harmonious state of harmony between man and nature, so it is called "Taoism and Nature".

In modern times, it has been recognized because its ideas are related to environmentalism that cares about the earth's environment. On the other hand, the expansion of modern materials makes modern people lose themselves, thus falling into confusion and pain. Taoism's thought of "returning to nature", attaching importance to purity and personal cultivation has a certain guiding role.