Why does the comfort of reassurance and validation from others never seem to last?

In this Tao Dialogues episode, discover why the constant need for reassurance, approval, and validation may stem from deeper beliefs about safety, love, and self-worth. Drawing on Taoist wisdom and Inner Child work, we explore how reassurance seeking can become a cycle of anxiety, people-pleasing and emotional dependence, and why lasting security must ultimately come from within. Learn how to question the beliefs behind insecurity, reconnect with your authentic Shen and respond to difficult emotions with greater truth, clarity and self-awareness. As you stop asking the outside world to prove your worth, you can begin creating a calmer, more authentic sense of inner safety and emotional freedom.

Read the blog post that inspired this episode: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/p/unborrowed-inner-safety [first blog post on this page]

Our Tao Dialogues are powerful yet gentle teachings about authenticity, spirituality and finding emotional balance and flow in everyday life. These spoken-word episodes draw from David James Lees’ practice as a Taoist monk and teacher, and expand upon popular posts on ‘David’s Journal’, his Substack blog.

You can subscribe to David’s Journal here: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/

Learn more about David’s online consultations, events, books and audio teachings: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com

Other related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:

• TAO DIALOGUES PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICamFP2zMyey3KGTnfm2aUq&si=AW_ZOUeldKv3nHhF
• LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zID3yxrdCbbZFuKHCwgV6qhX&si=9yNvhZaaUGvRWMOe
• INNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qq

Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity

If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom

Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/

Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdom

Sign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup

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Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.

Music by Earth Tree Healing

A calming meditation to help you stop overgiving, release the guilt and let your qi energy flow - with Taoist monk and teacher, David James Lees.

This Taoist meditation will help you step out of people-pleasing, over-responsibility and the need for approval, while reconnecting with your intrinsic self-worth. Through gentle breathing, Inner Child work, healthy boundaries and the wisdom of wu wei, you’ll learn to give from kindness without abandoning your own needs. Return to greater emotional balance, self-respect and inner peace as you allow your Shen to guide you and your qi to flow more freely.

⚠️ PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING MACHINERY

This meditation can be practised daily or whenever you need it.

Learn more about David’s online consultations, events, books and audio teachings: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com

Subscribe to David’s FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/

Other teachings and guided meditations you may enjoy:

• When You Give Too Much (People Pleasing & Self Sacrifice Explained) https://youtu.be/kiZPVUCNt0I?si=nKVrNjrVH6uxb8O3
• GUIDED MEDITATION PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIA12P7BftG6a18lIWFDjL35&si=bWWub6YyoZpXhFub
• INNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qq&si=7TkslLfvthRWePOI

Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity

If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom

Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/

Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdom

Sign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup

-

Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.

Music by Earth Tree Healing

Discover why people pleasing and overgiving leave you drained and how to set healthy boundaries.

Do you often feel emotionally exhausted after helping others, managing relationships, or constantly being “the strong one”? In this episode, we explore why overgiving, people-pleasing and emotional suppression can quietly drain your energy and disconnect you from yourself. Discover how Taoist wisdom teaches healthy emotional boundaries, balance without aggression, and a calmer way to care for others without abandoning yourself.

With your hosts, David James Lees (ordained Taoist monk, emotional and spiritual health teacher) and Alexandra Lees (mindset and business coach).

Learn more about David’s online consultations, events, books and audio teachings: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com

Subscribe to David’s FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/

Other related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:

• LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zID3yxrdCbbZFuKHCwgV6qhX
• Our INNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qq

Is there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion

Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity

If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom

Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdom

Sign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup

Music by Earth Tree Healing

Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.