“By taking the path of nonaction, wu-wei, nothing is left undone and everything is accomplished. . . . Nonaction means to not take any action that goes against nature” (Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance by C. Alexander Simpkins PH.D and Annellen Simpkins PH.D, p. 69).
A Quiet Mind
To act without acting is the quintessence of trading skill. Since action begins in the mind, letting the mind quiet is paramount. However, a proper attitude even precedes a quiet mind. For what purpose do you want a quiet mind? For making winning trades? For making money? Either of these reasons won’t allow you to have a quiet heart.
A Quiet Heart
A quiet heart requires you to act selflessly, never selfishly. Is selfless trading even possible? And who would want to do it if it were possible? A person following the spiritual path would want a quiet heart. What’s “the spiritual path?” Something esoteric or weird? Certainly, it is esoteric. Certainly, it is weird. Or it wouldn’t be the Tao.
The Long and Winding Road
“The long and winding road that leads to your door will never disappear; I’ve seen that road before” (“The Long and Winding Road” by the Beatles). This is an apt metaphor for the spiritual path. All traders have seen the “the long and winding road.” But many traders have dismissed it as absurd. Which it is. The few traders who recognize its worth will see profit without measure. But that profit will be in the currency of the heart.
Photo Credit: Photo by Mikhail Pelin