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๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ Vietnam /Culture & Society

Wisdom from Anxiety: Finding Peace in the Present Moment

From Tuแป•i Trแบป · () Vietnamese

Translated from Vietnamese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Alan Watts' book 'Wisdom from the Anxiety of Being' offers messages of peace for a worried age.
  • Watts explains the 'law of reversed effort,' where striving for security increases anxiety, and suggests modern society's lack of faith exacerbates this.
  • The book argues that focusing on the present moment is key to happiness, as constant worry about the past and future leads to disappointment and a search for external stimuli.

Alan Watts' book 'Wisdom from the Anxiety of Being' aims to provide solace in an era rife with worry. Watts introduces the concept of the 'law of reversed effort,' likening it to trying to sink in water to float. He posits that the more we seek security, the greater our anxiety becomes.

the more we crave security, the greater our anxiety becomes.

· Alan WattsExplaining the 'law of reversed effort' in relation to anxiety.

Watts suggests that modern times are not inherently more anxious than past eras, but a decline in faith has amplified unease. Historically, belief in immutable truths like God or an eternal soul provided comfort against hardship. However, he observes that science has largely replaced religion, fostering skepticism and diminishing spiritual certainty.

This shift, Watts argues, leaves individuals perpetually dissatisfied with the present. People become consumed by pleasant memories and future hopes, enduring present misery. This internal conflict, a natural human condition of desiring the impossible, leads to a cycle of disappointment, anxiety, and a reliance on external 'stimulants.'

the age we live in has become the age of disappointment, anxiety, of agitation and addiction to all sorts of 'stimulants.'

· Alan WattsDescribing the consequences of living in the past and future.

The book contends that true living occurs only in the present moment. An excessive focus on life's sweetness can lead to feeling trapped and discouraged. This paradox of loving life yet hating it, and cherishing possessions only to be tormented by anxiety over their loss, highlights the human struggle for contentment in a world of impermanence.

Right now you are truly alive.

· Alan WattsEmphasizing the importance of the present moment.
About this summary

Originally published by Tuแป•i Trแบป in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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