Shared by Taylor
This year has been a whirlwind for me, packed with nerve-wracking moments and transformative experiences, particularly becoming a new parent. Seven weeks ago, my wife and I welcomed our baby into the world. The weeks leading up to this life-altering event were filled with anxiety—those pre-baby jitters that many say are quite normal. However, once our little one arrived, I found myself too busy and too exhausted to dwell on the anxieties that previously consumed me.
This shift from pre-baby worry to post-baby fatigue made me ponder the nature of anxiety itself. In my search for understanding, I stumbled upon a quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist thinker, who described anxiety as “the modern illness of our time,” attributed to a lack of mindfulness. This resonated with me deeply. It echoed the familiar advice to live in the present moment, a wisdom woven into both Eastern and Western thought.
As I reflect on my experiences, I’ve identified three key insights gained from my practice of mindfulness and self-reflection, which I hope might be of help to others facing similar challenges:
1. Proximity to Thoughts: Through mindfulness, I’ve learned to view my thoughts not as builders of reality but as random cries—much like those of a baby—emerging and flowing without my control. This realization, although seemingly obvious in the moment of quiet practice, becomes less apparent in the chaos of daily life where anxious thoughts feel productive. Setting aside just 30 minutes of quietude reveals them to be repetitive noise, rather than meaningful discourse.
2. The Habit of Quiet: Carving out even five minutes a day for reflection has become a crucial discipline. This break from habitual patterns offers a respite, reminding me that tranquility is within reach. While I’m still inherently an anxious person, knowing that I can access this break consistently has been comforting.
3. Acceptance of Anxiety: I’ve come to understand that anxiety is an integral part of who we are. Complete freedom from worry might be an unrealistic expectation. By perceiving thoughts as a natural flow from within rather than anchoring them as unassailable truths, they become less significant, much like a solvent dissolving the solidity of concerns.
Overall, this practice has become a vital aspect of my daily life, providing a framework to cope with the ever-present undercurrents of anxiety. While my journey is ongoing, these insights have illuminated a path toward greater mindfulness, offering peace amid the unpredictable dance of life.
Thank you for sharing this space with me, and I hope these reflections might serve as a touchstone for others navigating their own life’s challenges.
Hakone Zendo 