Wisdom From a 2,500-Year-Old Chinese Book Can Dissolve Fears

Ever found yourself jolted awake in the middle of the night, your mind in the grip of anxiety? On one occasion, an ancient Chinese book whispered wisdom that transformed my perspective. Do you believe things will come to you when you need them most? That’s the magic that can happen in life.

3 am Awakening

Many years ago, I woke in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. Not only was I feeling restless but being soaked and cold was no fun! I knew I had to change something to stop this.

I gave up on trying to get back to sleep and tried to journal my thoughts.

So, I turned on the lights at the darkest hour. Not a sleep-friendly move, but we'll discuss sleep another time. I tried to make sense of the storm in my head. Perhaps it was an accumulation of many tiny worries. There was nothing I could identify that was making me feel that way. Do you ever get a similar sensation of unease?

Seeking solace in a cup of tea, half asleep I accidentally knocked a book off my shelf.

The book, with its mysterious black Chinese lettering, felt strangely comforting in my hand. I once promised myself I would read it.

I recalled how I had found it in a fascinating bookshop in London’s Covent Garden called Mysteries. It was a narrow store but deep. The rear of the building had a little water fountain which I found calming. I was drawn to the shop every time I visited London. I was seeking answers. This small book beckoned me.

I flipped open the book randomly, to a quote…

74th verse from the Tao Te Ching

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.
If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve.
Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter's place.
When you handle the master carpenter's tools, chances are that you'll cut your hand.

- Lao-Tzu

Fear of the future

I realization washed over me. I didn't know what was going to happen. I couldn't determine what would happen tomorrow, what would happen next week or what could happen years from now.

All things in life can change.

I sat on my couch and gave myself the space to feel the verse.

By not accepting things that were not within my control, I realised I was resisting the flow of life.

I thought I had a lot of control over my life. I was wrong. I never had much control. I wasn’t in charge of the universe. I let myself fully accept that and my body relaxed.

Bad experiences seed our minds with anticipatory fears of the future. But that future hasn’t even unfolded yet.

5 insights from the Tao Te Ching to combat fear

Let's look at 5 ways the Tao Te Ching helped reduce my fears.

1. GO WITH THE FLOW

Visualize life as a river. You are in a lifeboat which forever moves downstream sometimes hitting rapids, other times enjoying tranquil waters.

You can paddle to alter the course slightly but can’t get off the boat. Sometimes people will join you in your boat.

Enjoy the ride and sit back. It’s much more difficult when you row against the tide.

Take in the sights, sounds and beauty of the river. When you’re in the rapids try and enjoy the excitement. When it’s difficult, know that there are tranquil pools ahead. The Tao teaches us to live in harmony with this river of energy.

2. EMBRACE CHANGE

There is a natural flow to an ever-changing life. Seasons change, showcasing the cyclic nature of life.

See the beauty of the seasons play out in nature. New growth, blossoming and death. Spring, summer, fall and winter. The ancients used to celebrate this change through rituals. Their strong connection to nature helped them better accept change.

Every part of our lives also has a season. Things will come and go. People will come and go.

Think about it differently. Would you prefer to live the same life all the time? Isn’t variety the spice of life?

3. ACCEPT YOU CAN’T CONTROL THE FUTURE

The core fabric of life is change. We are not fully in charge of what happens to us. We are not in charge of when our life will end. Accepting you are powerless relaxes your body. When you are not rigid and fighting against things you will be at ease. Incredibly positive things happen when you find this state.

Practice non-attachment and become a passive observer of your feelings.

4. CHALLENGE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

Childhood experiences can result in fight-or-flight responses. A nervous system that is easily triggered. Many people live with a feeling of a bad future outcome even if it’s very unlikely to happen. Not only are they predicting a bad outcome for the future but already experiencing the emotions of it. It sounds crazy when you write this down!

Question your assumptions!

Next time you're caught in a loop of negative thinking, ask: "Is this true?"

Ground yourself in the present and evaluate the validity of these negative thoughts.

5. UNDERSTAND LIFE’S IMPERMANENCE

Consider the infinite size of the universe. Our existence is just a blip in the vast cosmos. Consider the biological miracle it takes to be alive.

That brings perspective and appreciation. Focus on what is available to you.

Meditation is a process in which people try to discard the physical body. Through its practice, people separate themselves and float above their experiences.

The Tao way of thinking about death is just another phase of life. It’s a release and transformation from the physical body which is only one part of our infinite being.

Living in fear of the inevitable means we miss out on truly living.

The Tao Te Ching is a source of infinite energy.

When I needed it, I found the Tao Te Ching became my anchor. That little book made me feel calm and reduced my fears. A momentary upgrade to my mindset.

It was a revelation. Not the biggest in my life but that’s for another time.

Wishing you well,
Howard

"I don't know what I don't know, and I'm always a work in progress."

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