The path to Tranquility (spring)
13. Fear leads to stubbornness
Only when the mind is relaxed can we perceive the outside world keenly. However, whenever difficulty or danger arises, fear closes the mind. This leaves us feeling vulnerable and insecure, afraid of facing reality, and entering an unhealthy mindset. In this mentality, we will lose interest in new things and lose trust in others.
In fact, fear does nothing except make us run away faster. With a healthy body and enough consciousness, we can adapt to changes in the environment fearlessly. Therefore, fear mostly stems from low self-esteem. We doubt our abilities and lack the courage and confidence to face the world. At this time, we will replace consciousness with feelings, and immediately shrink back when encountering setbacks, like a snail.
Accustomed to shrinking, we can easily magnify our shortcomings and ignore our strengths. The more fear we have in the world, the more closed-minded and stubborn we become. Fear is actually a prejudice against yourself and the world. When we cling to our own prejudices because we are closed off, we become very stubborn. Stubbornness is an unconscious state that causes us to neglect our physical and mental health. Whether it’s stubborn eating habits or other stubborn behaviors, our lives are at greater risk.
Stubbornness makes us always seek comfort and stability and easily fall into fear and insecurity. Stubbornness also prevents us from accepting new knowledge and things, deepens prejudices, and creates more fear. Therefore, we must break our past life patterns and make major changes from our thoughts to our behaviors.
By self-reflecting, asking questions, and expressing feelings and thoughts, we can reduce fear and increase consciousness. As long as we think and communicate more, we can establish good relationships with others, support and help each other. As we become better attuned to our environment, fear decreases and our body and mind relax. In this way, in the process of actively interacting with the outside world, we will learn a lot of new knowledge and improve our cognitive abilities.
When fear decreases, our worldview changes. We are no longer afraid of changes in the environment, so we no longer insist on our own prejudices. If we are no longer stubborn, we can abandon past habits, embrace uncertainty, and accept everything in life calmly. This virtuous cycle of increased consciousness will make us more open-minded.
With enough consciousness, we will have a better version of ourselves. Such a self has neither fear nor stubbornness, and can face the world with a gentle attitude. When we have stable and flexible wisdom, we have the courage to face any difficulties and obstacles and keep moving forward.
12. Elegance reflects a harmonious body and mind
14. Living at ease depends on consciousness
