Taoist contemplations on anxiety.

Taoism tells us that what is weak overcomes that which is strong. Water is soft yet it can wear out the hardest rock.

Sounds... mystical. But anxiety has incorporated this principle. Take an hypochondriac or an OCDer, they keep worrying over something that they recognize is illogical. For example, a headache, it could be a tumor. Silly, because how rare is that compared to a stress headache? And then comes in google. "It's really uncommon in young people, without a family history." "I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't eat spaghetti-os. It's unlikely I have it."

These are the facts. You can't argue with facts! But facts are rigid, like stones that never frail. Wind or sun, there they remain, unshaken by all else. But emotions are not so. They are a slight essence that can not be grasped, only felt. They do not talk at all yet they are heard louder then thunder.

One tries to convince himself that he is healthy, using a certain piece of data. An X-ray or an MRI is taken. But it isn't the last of it. Anxiety, being formless, will simply find a way around that rigidity. "OK, OK... The tests came out clear. But what if the test isn't very accurate?" or "What if the doctor didn't look at it carefully enough and missed something?"

Anxiety is using an inherently silly arguement. How can we intelligently think about something that lacks intelligence to begin with? It is like trying to describe a colour using words. There isn't really anywhere we can begin.

It is this weakness that allows her to send many in a spiral out of control. To convince with an unconvincing argument is an example of the skill of no skill. Action through inaction. Thus, these are some of the hardest worries to let go of.

In the following video we hear more paradoxes surrounding anxiety. (30 seconds listen.)



The same principle of doing nothing can also be the cure.

There is a deep wisdom behind all this. How did it come about? Did it appear by chance, was it designed? Does it matter? If we say yes, perhaps it only does because we chose to believe that it does. Or maybe it matters because the truth is something that exists alone and not just within our perception. And it is good to acheive the truth, because she is inherently good. And so is the moon, who brings light into the night, guiding us in our quest for her.

Let us dwell away, my moonlit readers...

Settle in

Here we dwell as the glow of the moon shines upon us. We will wonder about all things knowledge. Self-help, spirituality, philosophy... Be welcome!