One is a great deal less anxious if one feels perfectly free to be anxious, and the same may be said of guilt.
One is a great deal less anxious if one feels perfectly free to be anxious, and the same may be said of guilt.
Anxiety is when you want something, but don't make the efforts to get it, and are distracted every day by mindless entertainment instead.
Peace of mind is when you want something, make a clear plan to get there, and actually steadily get there day after day, year after year.
When you are worried, and you say to yourself, “All right, worry. Get with that worry,” it neutralizes the worry because you are not worrying about not worrying anymore.
Alan Watts • Eastern Wisdom, Modern Life: Collected Talks: 1960-1969
Anxiety is simply insight that we haven’t yet found a productive use for, that hasn’t yet made its way into art or philosophy.
Alain de Botton • The School of Life: An Emotional Education: An Emotional Education
Of course it sounds as if it were the most abject fatalism to have to admit that I am what I am, and that no escape or division is possible. It seems that if I am afraid, then I am “stuck” with fear. But in fact I am chained to the fear only so long as I am trying to get away from it. On the other hand, when I do not try to get away I discover that
... See moreAlan Watts • Wisdom of Insecurity
In acceptance, we have let go of the inner guilt-monger that found fault with even our most basic human drives. We can enjoy our physicality without moralistic aversion or compulsive self-gratification. We accept that others have come to their understanding of life and their ethical views in a way that makes sense to them, even if their beliefs and
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