In today’s fast-paced world, the pursuit of success often comes at the cost of our health and mental well-being. Stress, exhaustion, and burnout are rampant, yet they rarely seem to lessen despite our best efforts. Ancient Taoist philosophy, however, provides a refreshing perspective on how to mitigate these overwhelming feelings and reduce the incessant worries that plague modern life. Taoist sages, such as Lao Tzu, Zhuangzi, and Liezi, offer profound insights on how to live harmoniously with the world rather than against it. By embracing Taoist antidotes for stress, we can achieve a simpler, more peaceful life — one where letting go becomes the key to true serenity.
Letting Go: A Taoist View on Control
In our contemporary world, control has become a badge of success. From meticulously planned careers to the obsessive organization of our daily routines, the desire to control everything seems deeply ingrained in modern life. We want to dictate the outcomes of our work, relationships, and even our emotions. However, Taoism offers a different perspective — one that stresses the futility of forcing control over the natural course of things. The central tenet of Taoist philosophy teaches that trying to control every aspect of life is not only counterproductive but also a source of stress and disharmony.
Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism and author of the Tao Te Ching, argues that everything in the universe follows an inherent rhythm. Nature operates without intervention, and life unfolds according to a natural order. When humans intervene with this flow — whether by trying to change nature or impose our own desires on it — we upset the delicate balance of the world. Taoism teaches that trying to control nature, people, or even our circumstances leads to disruption and, ultimately, frustration. The more we fight against the natural way of things, the more resistance we encounter.
For example, think about the daily effort to control our emotions or alter our external circumstances. When we face challenges at work, in relationships, or within ourselves, the instinct is often to fight, to force a resolution that aligns with our preferences. We push against the tide of life, trying to manipulate situations to fit our expectations. This constant striving can lead to mental exhaustion and anxiety. The stress we experience doesn’t necessarily come from the problems themselves but from our resistance to accepting them as they are.
Taoism, in contrast, encourages us to let go of this compulsion to control. Lao Tzu teaches that the natural world is perfect in its simplicity and balance, without human interference. By aligning ourselves with this natural flow, we can release the burden of constant control and instead adopt a mindset of acceptance. This doesn’t mean being passive or neglecting our responsibilities; rather, it involves recognizing what is beyond our power and focusing on what we can influence — namely, our attitudes, responses, and choices.
In Taoist philosophy, there’s a concept called “wu-wei,” often translated as “effortless action” or “non-action.” This doesn’t mean doing nothing, but rather taking action in harmony with the natural flow of life, without excessive force or strain. Just as a river flows naturally, a person who practices wu-wei acts in ways that are aligned with the Tao — smoothly, with little resistance. This approach leads to a more peaceful and effective life, as we stop fighting against the current and instead allow ourselves to move with it.
By letting go of the need for control, we find freedom. Freedom from worry, freedom from stress, and freedom from the constant mental chatter that arises when we feel we must manage every detail of our lives. When we stop overthinking and simply allow things to unfold as they will, we invite a sense of calm into our lives. This calm doesn’t arise from the absence of problems, but from the acceptance that we don’t have to control everything. Taoism encourages us to relinquish our grip and trust that life, in its natural flow, will guide us to where we need to be.
The Perils of Chasing Happiness
In today’s society, the pursuit of happiness is often seen as the ultimate goal. We are conditioned from a young age to seek happiness through external means: acquiring wealth, achieving success, gaining status, or seeking approval from others. The prevailing belief is that once we obtain these external markers of success, happiness will naturally follow. However, Taoist philosophy takes a radically different view on this: the more we chase happiness, the more it eludes us.
Zhuangzi, a key Taoist figure, critically examined the human tendency to pursue happiness and the consequences of this relentless chase. In his view, the search for happiness — particularly through external accomplishments — leads to misery. People who are consumed by the desire to obtain wealth, fame, or recognition may briefly experience pleasure, but these gains are always fleeting. The reason for this is simple: when we tie our happiness to something external, it becomes contingent on the attainment or maintenance of that thing. As soon as we lose it, our happiness vanishes, and we are left in despair.
For example, wealth might bring temporary satisfaction, but the pursuit of more wealth never ends. Once we reach one financial milestone, we immediately set our sights on another. Similarly, fame may bring admiration and validation, but the moment it begins to fade, we desperately seek to recapture it. In both cases, the joy derived from these achievements is short-lived, and the constant pressure to maintain them leads to stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction.
Taoism teaches that happiness cannot be found in external circumstances. Zhuangzi argues that true contentment comes not from the attainment of external goals, but from releasing the attachment to those goals. This is a profound shift in mindset: instead of focusing on achieving happiness, Taoism suggests that we stop seeking it altogether. When we let go of the need for happiness, it can arise naturally within us.
Zhuangzi’s teachings suggest that the very pursuit of happiness is what traps us in a cycle of suffering. The desire to be happy is itself the source of unhappiness. We live in a world where happiness is often equated with success and achievement, but Taoism challenges this equation. True happiness, according to Zhuangzi, is found in the freedom from this constant striving. When we cease to chase after happiness, we can experience it organically in our lives. By not making happiness a goal, we open ourselves to a more authentic, lasting form of contentment.
This approach, while counterintuitive in a society that celebrates achievement, encourages us to embrace the present moment without judgment or expectation. It’s about experiencing life as it is, without the constant need for validation or external rewards. When we let go of the desire for happiness, we can be more fully present in the experiences of our everyday lives, whether they involve joy or sorrow. This is not a resignation to passivity, but a recognition that happiness arises naturally when we stop forcing it and instead allow ourselves to simply be.
In essence, Taoism teaches that the pursuit of happiness is a paradox — the more we chase it, the more elusive it becomes. The key to finding true contentment is not in attaining happiness, but in releasing the attachment to it. By letting go of our desires and accepting life as it is, we make room for a deeper, more enduring form of happiness that transcends the fleeting pleasures of external success.
Embracing Emptiness to Find Peace
In a world obsessed with accumulating possessions, achievements, and praise, the concept of emptiness might seem counterintuitive, even undesirable. However, Taoist philosophy, particularly through the teachings of Liezi, presents emptiness not as a void, but as a gateway to peace, freedom, and stillness. Emptiness, in the Taoist context, refers to the absence of attachment to external validation and the relinquishment of societal pressures to prove oneself through material success or recognition.
Liezi observed that much of the suffering in human life arises from the constant desire to be noticed, praised, or admired by others. This external validation becomes an addiction, a constant craving that never truly satisfies. Whether it’s the need for praise in the workplace, admiration on social media, or accolades for our achievements, these pursuits create a sense of emptiness — a hollowness that only grows as we chase after more recognition. Taoist philosophy teaches that the more we cling to these desires, the more we set ourselves up for disappointment and stress.
The practice of embracing emptiness allows us to free ourselves from this cycle. When we stop seeking external validation, we begin to realize that true peace does not come from what others think of us, but from our own acceptance of who we are. Liezi suggests that by cultivating an inner emptiness, we can find a deep sense of calm, as we no longer feel the need to measure ourselves against others or the standards set by society. This form of emptiness is not a lack of purpose, but rather a space where peace and stillness can reside.
Emptiness, in Taoism, also involves letting go of the illusion that we are solely responsible for our successes or failures. Liezi argues that many of the accomplishments we take pride in are not entirely our own doing. They are often the result of circumstances, timing, or even the contributions of others. For example, a person who is praised for their success in business may not acknowledge the role that luck, timing, or the support of others played in their achievements. In Taoism, recognizing this interdependence helps us relinquish the desire for praise and realize that much of what we consider our “successes” are not fully within our control.
By embracing the emptiness of these pursuits and letting go of the need for recognition, we free ourselves from the mental clutter that creates anxiety and stress. We no longer measure our worth based on the transient approval of others, allowing us to cultivate a more authentic and peaceful existence. This emptiness is a form of liberation — a path to inner peace that transcends the external noise of society’s expectations.
The Inner Law: Tuning In to Your True Self
One of the most profound teachings of Taoism is the concept of the “inner law,” which invites us to look inward for guidance and alignment rather than constantly seeking approval or validation from the outside world. Lao Tzu and Zhuangzi both emphasize that true peace and contentment arise when we align ourselves with our own inner nature, acting in harmony with our authentic selves rather than responding to the shifting demands of external circumstances.
In Taoism, the “inner law” refers to the natural order within each individual. This is not a set of rules or external commandments, but a deeper, intuitive understanding of who we are and what we need in any given situation. When we are in tune with our inner law, our actions and decisions flow naturally, without the need for excessive effort or strain. In contrast, when we look outside ourselves for guidance — whether in the form of societal expectations, the opinions of others, or the pressure to conform — we create tension and stress within our lives.
Lao Tzu uses the metaphor of standing on tiptoes to describe the futility of acting from a place of external influence. When we stand on tiptoes, we are unsteady and strained, constantly reaching for something just beyond our grasp. This image symbolizes the human tendency to extend ourselves beyond our natural abilities, in pursuit of external approval or success. Taoism teaches that this approach to life only leads to imbalance and dissatisfaction.
To find true contentment, Taoism encourages us to focus on our inner law, which guides us toward a path of authenticity and ease. When we act in accordance with our inner law, we are not driven by the whims of external forces, but by a deeper sense of knowing. This internal alignment brings stability and peace, as we no longer feel pulled in multiple directions by the demands of the world. Instead of striving to meet the expectations of others, we begin to act from a place of inner clarity, making decisions that resonate with our true selves.
The practice of tuning into the inner law is not about abandoning external goals or responsibilities, but about shifting the source of our motivation. When we are guided by our inner truth, we are less likely to be swayed by external judgments, and more likely to act with confidence and clarity. This approach helps us navigate life with greater ease and less stress, as we are no longer at the mercy of forces outside our control.
Not Worrying About ‘Fate’
Fate, or the course of events that are beyond our control, is a central theme in Taoist philosophy. Zhuangzi, in his writings, offers a liberating perspective on how we can deal with the uncertainties of life. He suggests that it is not fate itself that causes suffering, but rather our obsession with controlling or resisting it. When we worry excessively about the future or fear the unknown, we create unnecessary stress and anxiety.
One of Zhuangzi’s key lessons is the importance of detachment from the need to control fate. In Taoism, fate is not something that can be predicted or altered by human will. The more we fixate on what might happen — whether it’s the fear of failure, the anxiety about losing something, or the worry about an uncertain future — the more we increase our suffering. Zhuangzi uses the example of the archer, who performs flawlessly when he is focused solely on the act of shooting, but falters when he becomes obsessed with winning a prize. The moment he attaches a specific outcome to his actions, he loses his ability to perform naturally.
Taoist philosophy teaches that the best way to deal with fate is to accept it as it comes, without excessive worry or resistance. Rather than trying to control every outcome, Taoism encourages us to live in the present moment and trust that life will unfold as it should. This doesn’t mean resigning ourselves to passivity or abandoning our goals, but rather acknowledging that some things are beyond our control. When we stop worrying about the future, we can approach life with a sense of calm and openness, ready to face whatever comes our way without the burden of excessive expectation.
Liezi, another Taoist sage, reinforces this idea by illustrating the futility of worrying about fate. In one of his stories, an old man worries about the possibility of the sky falling or the earth breaking apart, yet there is nothing he can do to prevent it. Liezi humorously points out that whether the sky will fall or not is beyond our ability to influence, and worrying about it is a waste of time. The key message here is that life is uncertain, and the more we try to predict or control fate, the more we suffer. By letting go of our attachment to specific outcomes, we can embrace the uncertainty of life with peace and clarity.
Taoism teaches that everything around us is in constant flux and is out of our control. Rather than fixating on what we cannot change, we can focus on how we respond to the world. By letting go of our obsession with fate and embracing life as it is, we free ourselves from the mental burdens that come with trying to control the uncontrollable. This acceptance allows us to live more peacefully, in harmony with the flow of life, and without the constant worry that accompanies the desire for a predictable, controlled future.
Conclusion: Trusting the Flow
The Taoist antidotes to worry revolve around the principle of letting go—letting go of the need to control, the obsession with external validation, and the anxiety about an uncertain future. By embracing the natural flow of life, focusing on internal peace, and relinquishing our attachment to outcomes, we can alleviate the stress and worry that plague us in modern life. Ultimately, Taoism teaches us that everything is out of control, and the more we try to hold on, the more we entangle ourselves in anxiety. By letting go, we allow life to unfold naturally, and in doing so, we find a deeper sense of contentment and tranquility.