Finding Strength in Being Still
Many of us have experienced at least one vacation where days are filled with rushing from one historical site to another, racing to snap photos at scenic overlooks, and anxiously ticking off items on a crowded itinerary. In the end, we often return home feeling more exhausted than when we left—and perhaps not completely restored.
Sometimes we approach travel with the same frantic energy we bring to our work lives, which occasionally prevents us from feeling the magic of the present moment.
My International Spiritual Adventure Tours were created as a deliberate antidote to that frantic pace. Recently, traveler Heather Scott sat down with me to discuss why these journeys feel so different—and why local guides appreciate working with my groups. Hint: it is because we actually take the time to pause, breathe, and allow the environment to settle us.
In this conversation, we explore “Compassion in Motion,” a concept that perfectly aligns with Verse 64 of my new book, Embodying the Tao. This verse reminds us that a journey of a thousand miles isn’t about rushing to an external finish line; it is about bringing a deep, grounded presence to the single step directly beneath your feet.
Verse 64: The Strength of Stillness
Maintain a quiet peace; overcome trouble before it starts
Brittle is easily shattered, delicate is easily scattered
Acknowledge trouble as it arises
Take action before confusion takes root
A tree too large to embrace springs from one small shoot
A building of many stories begins with a handful of earth
A journey of one thousand miles begins with the first step
Intense action defeats your purpose
By gripping, you weaken your grasp
The wise sage moves with intention and is not defeated
She does not cling and thus does not lose
People often fail while on the verge of success
Detach from expectations, and you will not fail
Thus, the sage dampens desire
She does not hoard material goods
She learns to flow with the present, evolving her knowledge
She returns people to what they’ve lost
She helps all beings return to their nature
All the while, she maintains the strength of stillness
Reflection
The achievement culture teaches that the end of a project requires a frantic sprint. Whether we are finalizing a major presentation at work, preparing to send a child off to college, or managing a complex health issue for a loved one, society conditions us to believe that when the finish line is in sight, we must force, push, and micromanage the final details to guarantee a successful outcome. This intense pressure floods the nervous system with stress hormones, moving us out of a stable state just when we need clarity the most.
Verse 64 warns that people often fail while on the verge of success. Why? Because in the final stretch, you abandon the steady, intentional pace that brought you this far. Your actions intensify, you try to control every variable, and by gripping too tightly, you actually weaken your influence over the outcome. The project, your team, or even your own nervous system can become brittle and easily shattered or scattered under the pressure.
The Tao teaches that a journey of a thousand miles does not end with a frantic sprint; it concludes with the same simple, intentional steps with which it began. When you detach from expectations and stop gripping to ideals so tightly, you allow the project to unfold naturally. You find success not through a final burst of exhausting effort, but by maintaining the strength of stillness.
Look closely at a goal you are currently trying to reach. If you’re tightly holding onto the process to ensure a specific outcome, choose to relax your grip, trusting that the next natural step is all that is required.
Somatic Invitation
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms resting comfortably by your sides. Breathe fully and slowly.
Raise your hands to the level of your chest and make tight fists. Squeeze your fingertips into your palms as hard as you can. Notice the effects of this gripping. Feel the tension travel up your forearms, lock your elbows, hike your shoulders, and tighten your jaw. Your breath is likely becoming shallower. This is the brittle energy of acting intensely to control an outcome. If you hold this tight posture for even a minute, your arms may begin to shake with fatigue.
Now, slowly release the fists. Let your fingers softly uncurl until your hands are open. With your palms facing each other, envision gently holding a glowing ball of qi.
Notice the immediate relief. Your shoulders drop, your jaw softens, and your breath deepens. Your hands remain active and engaged, but they are no longer tense. This relaxed position offers immense stamina; you could hold your hands this way for a very long time without tiring.
Stay in this posture for three minutes, feeling the power of your open hands and the qi between your palms. Finish by resting your hands on your lower tan tien, acknowledging that true leadership requires the strength of stillness, not the exhaustion of a tight grip.
Silently say for yourself: I relax my grip and find strength in stillness.
