ziran

Ziran (自然) is a classical Chinese philosophical term usually translated as naturalness, spontaneity, or the natural state. It combines 自 (self) and 然 (thus, so) and refers to things behaving according to their own nature rather than through artificial intervention or external coercion.

In Daoism, ziran is a foundational principle. It denotes the way things unfold in accordance with the Dao (the Way). A Daoist sage, by practicing wu wei (non-action or effortless action), aligns with ziran, allowing actions to arise spontaneously rather than being forced by willful effort. This spontaneous alignment is thought to reveal the truth of the Dao and to foster harmony with others and with nature.

Daoist texts describe ziran through imagery of rivers, mountains, and living beings that move and respond without artifice. Ziran is not mere passivity; it is a form of dynamic ease—acting in accordance with one’s essential nature and the natural order, rather than trying to dominate or overly control outcomes.

In classical philosophy, ziran also contrasts with contrived behavior and artificial social conditioning. The ideal is to cultivate inner receptivity and simplicity so that one’s outer conduct mirrors the unforced rhythms of the world.

In modern usage, ziran extends beyond philosophy to everyday language, literature, and aesthetics, where it often denotes unpretentious expression or a state of being in harmony with nature. It remains influential in discussions of naturalness in art, culture, and ecological thought, where aligning with one’s true nature or with the natural world is valued.