“Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.”
― Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu says, “Do your work, then step back.” What does he mean?
We often don't step back after doing our work, like a salesman waiting for payment. We keep wanting results and never let go. This constant waiting creates anxiety and expectations, leading to suffering.
Lao Tzu wants us to avoid this unnecessary suffering. Even when we do small things, like saying "Hi" or leaving a tip, we expect something in return. This keeps us stuck in a cycle of cause and effect, never truly free. We are constantly influenced by our past actions and worried about the future.
Lao Tzu is teaching us that the future is just a mental construct. Instead of worrying about it, we should understand that it doesn't really exist. This understanding changes how we see ourselves and our lives, helping us let go of worry. Statements like "Don't worry about the future" are empty without this deeper understanding.
Only by realizing the nature of time and self can we truly be free from worry. It's not about creating ideals or repeating mantras; it's about understanding reality. Even in the midst of worry, we can observe and understand it, freeing ourselves from its grip.
Don’t wait for that grand and golden day when all your problems will be gone. In the middle of the problems, be problem free. That’s the way of living.
Lao Tzu’s advice, “Do your work, then step back,” means to do your best and then let go of the outcome. Don’t keep pushing forward, seeking results. Just do your work and trust that it's enough.