Episode 52 Find Healing through the Tao Te Ching, with Jessie Kanzer

Can wisdom from the past still ring true today? Do you sometimes need help returning to your center when life gets busy? Do you know how to properly "do nothing"?

MEET JESSIE KANZER

As an 8-year-old refugee who only spoke Russian, Jessie (or "Asya" then) yearned to fit in. Having arrived in America, she changed her name and much about herself. Later though, she experienced depression, an eating disorder, and all sorts of existential problems. She pursued Hollywood fame, men, and the American Dream, but always fell short - until she stopped.

With the help of the Tao Te Ching she rediscovered herself and her innate power, and she learned to chill. Her book, Don't Just Sit There, DO NOTHING, will help others do the same.

Visit Jessie Kanzer's website and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

FREEBIE: Read the first two chapters of Jessie's book for free!

IN THIS PODCAST:

• About the Tao Te Ching
• How to be an expert in doing nothing
• Let go of the "all or nothing" mentality

About the Tao Te Ching

The Tao was written in the 6th century BC.

It is amazing to me how human nature has changed very little. Our surroundings may have changed but our needs [are very much the same]. (Jessie Kanzer)

Human beings at their core have been much the same throughout human history. People throughout centuries have struggled with:

• Comparing themselves to others
• Searching for external validation
• Following outside messaging for fear of stepping into who they are

And so the Tao always brings us back to our center … brings us back to quietude, and encourages us to connect with our inner selves. (Jessie Kanzer) How to be an expert in doing nothing

• Have an activity that you do that centers on stillness: this can be meditation, yoga, meditative running, walking, breathwork, spending time in nature, and so forth.
• Seek stillness physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
• Focus on building the connection to your inner voice.
• Schedule time into your calendar: write "DO NOTHING" for 1, 2, 5, or 10 minutes in your daily activities.
• Enter your flow state: try activities once a day or week that help you to enter your flow state where you forget about time passing, and focus wholly on one thing.

Let go of the "all or nothing" mentality

Sometimes you need to be honest and real with yourself and push yourself to do the things that you have been avoiding getting to.

However, when it comes to practicing stillness, you cannot beat yourself up about struggling because the struggle is a part of the process.

Each time it does not go well, try again.

I always tell people, and I say this in the book, do what you can. Do what you can for yourself … you start with little moments of stillness. (Jessie Kanzer)

Consistent small actions that grow over time are far more sustainable than forcing yourself to try something completely new and then beating yourself up if you fail.

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