道以自然为法则，以无为处世应物，成就了万物，也成就了自我。其义理可谓简易却又是那么深刻。

Taoism takes nature as its law and responds to things with inaction. It achieves all things and also achieves self. Its meaning can be described as simple but profound.

    自然和无为是两个既不同又有着密切联系的教义名词。所谓自然，《道德经》中说：“人法地、地法天，天法道，道法自然”。河上真人注曰：“道性自然，无所法也”。说明“道”的本性就是自然，道之自然的法则既是天所效法的，也是地所效法的。人生在天地间，其行为的最高法则也应是效法道性自然的法则。自然，没有任何固定的模式，道生化万物，万物皆按其各自的本性自然生长，无持无待，不存在强加的任何因素，从而保证了自然界的和谐。而人修真道，就当效法道的自然之本性，顺应天地自然变化的规律，尊重自然界一切生命的特性，致力于维护自然界的和谐。对于人世间的一切东西，不要强求，要顺应事物发生发展的自然规律。要知足、知止、知常，以使心神平和、精神得到升华。

Nature and inaction are two different but closely related doctrinal terms. The so-called nature is said in the Tao Te Ching: "Man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, the sky follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature." He Shang Zhenren commented: "The nature of Taoism is natural, and there is no law." This shows that the nature of "Taoism" is nature, and the natural law of Taoism is imitated by both heaven and earth. Human beings live between heaven and earth, and the highest law of their behavior should also be to imitate the natural law of Taoism. Nature does not have any fixed pattern. Taoism creates all things, and all things grow naturally according to their own nature, without holding or waiting, and there is no imposed factor, thus ensuring the harmony of nature. When people practice Taoism, they should imitate the natural nature of Taoism, follow the laws of natural changes in heaven and earth, respect the characteristics of all life in nature, and strive to maintain the harmony of nature. For everything in the world, don't force it, but follow the natural law of the occurrence and development of things. Be content, know when to stop, and know the constant, so that the mind is peaceful and the spirit is sublimated.

    　然而，要真正进入或达到“自然”的境界，就要践行“无为”的处世方法。《道德经》中说：“圣人处无为之事，行不言之教”。又说：“道常无为而无不为”。告诉人们，“道”就是践行无为的，并通过无为的作用成就万物，体现“道”之伟大的体性。所以，所谓无为，并不是消极不为，而是要反对“有为”，要遵循自然之规律，不要强求或对事物的自然发生和发展强行进行干预，自自然然才是完美的。为此，王景阳在《明道篇》中有诗说：“自然之道本无为，若执无为便有为”。告诫修道之人，体行自然无为之真道，不要有任何执著。所以，早期道教就曾把“无为”作为合道意、得天心、致太平的根本教旨。并指出：若修行能法道无为，治身则有益于精神，治国则有益于人们。体现了道教对社会政治和处世修身的基本态度。

However, to truly enter or reach the realm of "nature", it is necessary to practice the "inaction" method of dealing with the world. The "Tao Te Ching" says: "The saint does things without action, and teaches without words." It also says: "The Tao is always inaction, but nothing is not done." Tell people that "Tao" is to practice inaction, and through the role of inaction, it achieves all things and embodies the great nature of "Tao". Therefore, the so-called inaction is not passive inaction, but to oppose "action", to follow the laws of nature, not to force or forcibly interfere with the natural occurrence and development of things, and nature is perfect. For this reason, Wang Jingyang has a poem in "Ming Dao Pian": "The natural way is inaction, if you insist on inaction, you will be action." It warns people who practice Taoism to practice the true way of natural inaction and not to have any attachment. Therefore, early Taoism once regarded "inaction" as the fundamental doctrine of conforming to the will of Tao, gaining the favor of heaven, and achieving peace. It also pointed out that if one can practice inaction according to the Tao, governing the body will benefit the spirit, and governing the country will benefit the people. It reflects the basic attitude of Taoism towards social politics and self-cultivation in life.

    　但人生在世，对尊名荣贵，华衣美食，珍宝广室和音色财货总是有所企求的，但企求超出了自然无为的规律就会出现种种有为之弊害，转化为贪欲。而修道者除了要遵守清静寡欲的教义外，还应持守朴素无为的人生态度。消灭贪欲，淡泊以明志，不有为强求，基本企求不要脱离社会实际，以全身修道为目标，却危离咎，最终达到忘其形骸，无所执著，自然无为的境界。对此，《云笈七签》中还从两个方面作了阐释：一是先当避害。远嫌疑，远小人，远敬得，远行止。慎口食，慎舌利，慎处闹，慎力斗。常思过失，改而从善。二是要能通天文，通地理，通人事；通鬼神，通时机。在积极通晓自然、社会和人际关系的基础上，更好地学道修道。

But in life, people always seek honor, fame, fine clothes, delicious food, treasures, spacious rooms, music, color and wealth. However, if the desire exceeds the law of natural inaction, various disadvantages of action will appear and turn into greed. In addition to abiding by the doctrine of tranquility and few desires, Taoists should also maintain a simple and inaction attitude towards life. Eliminate greed, be indifferent to show your ambition, and do not force yourself. The basic goal is not to be separated from social reality, to cultivate the whole body as the goal, but to avoid danger and blame, and finally reach the state of forgetting your body, having nothing to cling to, and naturally doing nothing. In this regard, "Yunji Qiqian" also explained it from two aspects: First, avoid harm first. Keep away from suspicion, keep away from villains, keep away from respect, keep away from travel. Be careful with what you eat, be careful with your tongue, be careful with noise, be careful with fighting. Always reflect on your mistakes and change for the better. Second, you must be able to understand astronomy, geography, and human affairs; understand ghosts and gods, and understand timing. On the basis of actively understanding nature, society, and interpersonal relationships, you can better learn and practice Taoism.