Many people wonder how to become more humble. But it feels strange to tell oneself, "Hey, I'm not as good as everyone else!" or "There is nothing special about me." In this article, we are going to dive deeper into the concept of humbleness under Taoism.
To start off, we must first distinguish between
The Difference Between Humility and Humbleness in Taoism
According to Dictionary.com, humility is:
"The quality or condition of being humble; a modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc."
Meanwhile, humbleness is:
"The quality or state of being or feeling low in rank, importance, status, worth, etc."
From my understanding, humility is when someone lowers themselves from a higher position, whereas humbleness is about remaining at that low position and not seeking to rise above it. In this sense, humbleness is the more accurate word for Wu Wei (无为) in Taoism.
Wu Wei and Humbleness
Does humbleness in Taoism mean we should see ourselves as inferior and always yield to others? No. Humbleness in this context means staying at the low position and yielding to Tao, which is the natural order of everything.
By staying at the low position, one can easily sense what is deviating from Tao. A practitioner of Wu Wei ignores such deviations. But this does not mean passivity — a true practitioner would not hesitate to confront when facing the aggression from active deviation of Tao. This idea is reflected in the Tao Te Ching chapter 5:
圣人不仁，以百姓为芻狗
"A sage is unkind, treating the masses as grass dogs." Translated literally.
This verse does not promote cruelty but highlights impartiality. A sage follows Tao without attachment to conventional human morality.
As explained in the other article of Qinghe Layman about Wu Wei
Being humble like Tao, willing to stay in the low position, willing to stay behind, and willing to yield is the right path for us to achieve our goals and lead a life of success on various fronts.
It is one of the main virtues of Tao and, henceforth, an essential part of our Wu Wei practice.
Being Humble Like Tao
Being humble like Tao means cultivating a state of mind — a mind to stay in the low position, willing to stay behind, and willing to yield in the face of Tao, which basically means everything surrounding and within ourselves. In Taoist philosophy, water is often used as a metaphor for humbleness because it nurtures all life from the low places.
By staying in the low position, we remove resistance and allow things to unfold naturally. By staying behind, we observe more, react wisely, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. By yielding, we do not oppose the flow of life but work harmoniously within it. These principles allow us to achieve our goals with less struggle and lead a life of success on various fronts—whether in relationships, career, or personal growth. True power lies in knowing when to step back, when to let go, and when to act in accordance with Tao
Practicing Humbleness Daily
To cultivate humbleness, one must continuously read and practice the wisdom of Taoism classics. Like any discipline or sport, if you do not practice, you will become rusty. Daily application of these principles allows one to remain attuned to Tao. Other than reading and studying the classics, following are
A Few Practical Steps to Cultivate Humbleness
Practice Detachment – Let go of ego-driven desires and accept things as they are. Take 'I' out of the driver's seat and let Tao take over. Imagine a vortex where you are at its center, meaning to let all the commotion revolve around and above while you sit perfectly still at the lowest position.
Listen More, Speak Less – Learn from others and remain open-minded. Speak only when others are willing to listen, free of the desire to express oneself.
Serve Without Seeking Recognition – Help others without expecting anything in return from them directly, but knowing that there will be some form of reward coming from the Tao in the long haul.
Engage in Constructive Discussions, Not Arguments – Instead of trying to convince others or prove yourself right, focus on understanding different perspectives. Approach discussions with objectivity and curiosity rather than a need to win.
Handle Criticism Without Defensiveness – View criticism as an opportunity to grow rather than as an attack on your ego. Respond with gratitude and reflection rather than resistance. This does not mean accepting any criticism coming your way; instead, let it settle, take what is value, and move on.
Be Mindful of Your Reactions – When faced with challenging situations or disagreements, pause before responding. Humbleness comes from responding like Tao rather than reacting emotionally.
Let Actions Speak Louder Than Words – Instead of boasting about achievements, let your work and character demonstrate your values. Humbleness often shines brightest through quiet confidence and consistency.
Final thoughts
Humbleness in Wu Wei practice comes from a true understanding and belief that, while we as human beings can actively decide our actions and attitudes toward our affairs inwardly and outwardly, we are merely a part of Tao, a.k.a. Nature, and are subject to its ruling. It is one of the four main aspects of Wu Wei (desirelessness, unknowingness, moderate living, and humbleness) that is essential in our practice and is hence not to be taken lightly. The daily digest of Taoist wisdom is a must, supported by various actionable practices, to help us continuously march the humble path of Tao, bringing long-term prosperity and well-being.
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