The Backwards Law: Stop Trying And You'll Get Anything You Desire

Summary

The video script explores the concept of the 'Backwards Law' from Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the counterintuitive idea that striving too hard for a goal can lead to negative outcomes. It discusses the importance of balance, self-reflection, and understanding our true desires and motivations. The script highlights the teachings of Alan Watts and Schopenhauer, suggesting that happiness and success come from letting go and focusing on the process rather than the end goal. It also touches on managing anxiety and entering a 'flow state' by relinquishing excessive conscious control, advocating for mindfulness and presence in the moment as pathways to a fulfilling life.

Takeaways

• 🎯 The script discusses the paradoxical nature of striving for success and happiness, suggesting that too much effort can lead to negative emotions and a gap between our current state and our goals.
• 📉 The 'backwards law' from Zen Buddhism, popularized by Alan Watts, posits that the more we try to achieve something, the more elusive it becomes, advocating for a balance between effort and letting things unfold naturally.
• 🧘 The concept of the 'backwards law' encourages introspection to understand our true desires and motivations, rather than blindly pursuing superficial goals.
• 💭 The script challenges the common belief that happiness is solely the result of achieving specific goals, suggesting that letting go and being present can lead to greater happiness.
• 🤯 It highlights that anxiety is often a result of attempting to exert control over our environment and emotions, and that relinquishing control can lead to self-acceptance and peace of mind.
• 💸 The idea that wealth is a mental state is emphasized, with the script noting that the more one tries to feel wealthy, the poorer they may feel, regardless of actual financial status.
• 💞 The script suggests that focusing on self-discovery rather than chasing love can create an environment where love can naturally flow towards us.
• 🕊️ Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy is introduced, which argues that the endless pursuit of desires is irrational and the root of human suffering, advocating for detachment from the 'will to live'.
• 🔮 The importance of aligning desire with imagination for effective goal achievement is discussed, noting that belief in the possibility of achieving a goal is paramount.
• 🧘‍♂️ The script touches on the power of the subconscious mind, as highlighted by Napoleon Hill and Joseph Murphy, and how our beliefs and visualizations can shape our reality.
• 🌊 It concludes with the idea of embracing the 'flow state', where actions become effortless and intuitive, suggesting that letting go of excessive conscious control can enhance performance and well-being.

Q & A

What is the concept of the 'backwards law' as discussed in the script?

The 'backwards law' is a principle derived from Zen Buddhism, which suggests that the more you strive for something, the more negative outcomes you may experience or the worse you may feel. It encourages individuals to seek deeper meaning and fulfillment rather than simply pursuing worldly achievements, and to find balance by recognizing when too much striving can be counterproductive.

How does the script relate the backwards law to the teachings of Alan Watts?

Alan Watts, an English writer, theologian, and speaker, is credited with spreading the principles of Eastern philosophies, including the backwards law, to the Western audience. He simplified the concept by stating that the more you try to hold onto something, the more it slips away, emphasizing the idea of letting go and allowing things to unfold naturally.

What is the correlation between the backwards law and the wisdom of Epicurus?

The script correlates the backwards law with the wisdom of Epicurus by suggesting that to be rich, one should not add to their money but subtract from their desires. This implies that reducing one's desires can lead to a richer experience, which aligns with the backwards law's idea of letting go of excessive striving.

How does the script discuss the pursuit of happiness in relation to the backwards law?

The script challenges the common belief that happiness is attainable only through the achievement of specific goals. It suggests that constant seeking can be counterproductive and that a state of simply letting go and experiencing happiness without any particular motive can lead to higher levels of happiness.

What role does anxiety play in the context of the backwards law?

According to the script, anxiety is primarily triggered by our attempts to exert control over our surroundings. By relinquishing control and cultivating self-acceptance, we can move closer towards attaining peace of mind, which aligns with the backwards law's encouragement to let go of excessive control.

How does the script interpret wealth in the context of the backwards law?

The script interprets wealth as a mental state rather than a material one. It suggests that the more one tries to be wealthy, the poorer they will feel, regardless of their actual financial status. True wealth comes from letting go of the desire for wealth and focusing on the process that leads to success.

What is the significance of self-discovery in relation to love according to the script?

The script suggests that shifting focus from chasing love to self-discovery creates a conducive environment for love to flow towards us. Knowing ourselves and our core values helps us identify the type of love that best aligns with our needs and desires.

How does Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy relate to the concept of the backwards law?

Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy argues that the human tendency to seek more to satisfy desires while perpetuating those desires is irrational. This unfettered striving is the cause of all human suffering and can never be fully satisfied, leading to perpetual dissatisfaction. This aligns with the backwards law's principle of letting go of excessive desire.

What is the role of affirmations in utilizing the backwards law effectively?

Affirmations can be used to effectively utilize the backwards law, but they must be in alignment with one's current beliefs. If the affirmation contradicts one's belief system, the conscious mind will resist the new belief, and it will not penetrate the subconscious, failing to bring about the desired outcome.

How does the script discuss the importance of desire and imagination in achieving goals?

The script emphasizes the importance of aligning desire with imagination for achieving optimal results. It suggests that excessive focus on the desire alone can impede progress, and both desire and imagination must be harmoniously synchronized to leverage the law of reversed effort successfully.

What is the significance of the subconscious mind in the context of the backwards law?

The subconscious mind is crucial in the context of the backwards law as it is responsible for 95% of our thoughts and actions. By focusing on the process and aligning actions with the goal, one can condition the subconscious mind for growth and abundance, rather than a fixed mindset of scarcity.

How does the script explain the concept of the 'flow state' and its relation to the backwards law?

The 'flow state' is described as a state where actions happen effortlessly, as if the body is on autopilot. It is often experienced by high-performing individuals who have spent significant mental and physical practice. The script suggests that relinquishing excessive conscious control is vital to entering the flow state, which aligns with the backwards law's principle of letting go and allowing things to unfold naturally.

What advice does the script offer for living a fulfilling and purposeful existence?

The script advises living fully in the present moment, being mindful of thoughts, actions, and surroundings, and using this heightened awareness to understand strengths and weaknesses. By setting and achieving goals that align with one's vision for the future, and making choices that reflect this vision, one can create a fulfilling and purposeful existence.