Final answer:
The preferred metaphor for wuwei in the Daodejing is water, representing softness and adaptiveness that is powerful in its gentle approach. Wuwei is associated with flowing with the natural world, nonaction, and a state akin to psychological flow, exemplified by the story of Cook Ding. Daoism recommends this approach in both personal life and governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preferred metaphor in the Daodejing for wuwei is water, which is both weak and soft yet able to overcome hard and strong obstacles.
The concept of wuwei embodies nonaction, softness, and adaptiveness, and is also compared to the psychological state of flow. In Wuwei, there is an alignment with the natural world, spontaneous action that does not result from active control or strong effort.
An example of this can be seen in the story of Cook Ding from the Zhuangzi, who embodies wuwei by cutting meat effortlessly, using his spirit rather than his sight, illustrating a skilled harmony with the task at hand.
The metonymy of water signifies how something gentle and yielding can be powerful and effective without forceful action.
Daoism and the Daoist approach to life encourage living in harmony with the natural flow of things and accepting the world as it is. This approach can also be perceived as an advised political strategy, suggesting a minimalist governance that does not interfere in the lives of the citizens.
Daoist texts often utilize paradoxical and puzzling language to shift our conventional thinking and encourage a deeper awareness of the nature of existence, hence retaining a close relationship to the Dao through the practice of wuwei.