Chapter 26: Living Calmly
“The heavy is the root of the light.
The still is the master of unrest.
Therefore the sage, traveling all day,
does not lose sight of the heavy baggage.
Even though there are beautiful sights to see,
he remains calm and composed.
Why should the lord of ten thousand chariots
act lightly in public?
To be light is to lose one’s root.
To be restless is to lose one’s control.”
The Power of Inner Stillness
In this verse, Lao Tzu reminds us that stillness is strength. Like a great mountain that does not move or a tree whose roots go deep into the earth, the wise stay grounded — no matter what storms rage around them. Wayne Dyer draws from this to teach that calmness is a choice and a spiritual mastery, not a passive state.
Modern life promotes speed, reaction, and urgency. But the Tao whispers a different truth: the still governs the restless.When we are calm, we think more clearly, act more wisely, and stay rooted in our truth.
To “live calmly” is to return to the heavy roots within — to the soul — so that the lighter emotions, desires, and distractions don’t blow us off course.
Key Concepts:
To live lightly without losing your root is a spiritual art.
Stillness is strength, not weakness.
Calmness is an inner anchor, not external silence.
A grounded person has greater presence and influence.
Actionable Steps: Living Calmly
- Anchor Yourself Daily
- Begin your day with silence, meditation, or breathwork — even 5 minutes.
- Remind yourself: “I am the calm in the centre of the storm.”
- Respond, Don’t React
- Before replying to triggers, pause.
- Ask: “Is this coming from peace or ego?” Choose conscious response over emotional reaction.
- Cultivate Inner Heaviness
- Not “heavy” as in burdened — but rooted, substantial, thoughtful.
- Study spiritual texts, journal, reflect. Feed your inner wisdom.
- Declutter Your Mind
- Let go of rushing thoughts, digital distractions, and unnecessary urgency.
- Try “single-tasking” — be fully present with one thing at a time.
- Ground in Nature
- Spend time with trees, earth, and still water. Let them teach you.
- Practice “earthing” (barefoot walking), slow walks, or forest bathing.
- Hold Calmness in Public Spaces
- Whether you’re at work, with family, or on a busy street, walk and speak slowly.
- Carry calmness like sacred incense — let it influence the room.
- Remember: The Still is the Master of the Unrest
- When others are angry, reactive, or lost — you don’t need to join them.
- Your calmness becomes a lighthouse.
Affirmation for Chapter 26:
“I am grounded in stillness.
I move through life with calm, clarity, and grace.
The stillness within me leads the way.”
