Aging and Stress

We live in a stressful age - and more so as we continue to age. The stress comes from the ever-changing technology, and what is happening around us. In addition, aging itself has
created many health, personal, and financial problems that we have to deal with. The inability to cope with these vicissitudes in aging only adds more stress.

The Chinese have thousands of years of culture towards managing stress. Specifically, Taoism places you in control of your own life, in particular, your healthy longevity.

Taoism is not a religion: because Taoism is often interspersed with Buddhist teachings, it often gives the misconception that it is some form of a religion. Taoism is a way of life. It encompasses everything from the universe to the human body, including its focus on the harmony of "yin" and "yang".

Taoism offers a much broader concept of health and longevity than the contemporary Western world does.

To illustrate, the Western concept of sport is based on strength and stamina training (sometimes reinforced with drugs) ; if you cannot compete successfully, you are out of the game. Taoism, on the other hand, offers spontaneity. You do what you can, and do the best of what you can. This Taoist attitude is applicable to all aspects of life.

According to Taoism, when you were born, your body and mind were in natural harmony. However, as you grow up, you become subject to pressures and worries (typical of contemporary society), undermining the flexibility of your body and the openness of your mind, resulting in disharmony, which is the root cause of stress.

Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, said: "There is no mistake greater than that of being ambitious; there is no calamity greater than that of being discontented; there is no fault greater than the desire for riches. Therefore, true contentment is an enduring and unchanging happiness."

Don't keep up with the Jones! Don't strive for success: do your best and let it come naturally, if it ever does.

In life, you create your own stress; nobody pressurizes you.

Go to my website World Religions on How to Control Your Stress.

Stephen Lau

http://www.stephenlau.name