To Those Anxious About the Future: The One Truth You Don’t Know Yet
Does this thought creep in when night falls?
"What if I get sick later?"
"What if I run out of money in old age?"
"Where will I be in 10 years?"
The problem is that these thoughts don't just stop at one.
At some point, we fall into endless worry without even realizing that we are having these thoughts.
So, how can we stop this anxiety about the future?
The True Identity of Anxiety is Not the 'Future' but Your 'Thoughts'
What we fear is not actually the "future."
It is a single "thought" that has arisen in this very moment.
Experiencing things that haven't even happened yet—that is the true identity of the anxiety we feel.
The moment we understand this fact, we begin to see the clue to stopping anxiety.
The first thing we must do to stop anxiety is to notice that we are currently lost in thought.
The moment we notice, that thought loses its power.
And in its place, a very brief but clear "now" is revealed.
In that moment, come back to what is right in front of you. Just feeling your breath is enough.
At this point, an important question arises: Why does this simple noticing create such a big change?
Venerable Wonbin explains Sati, or mindfulness, like this:
Everything we experience eventually happens only where our attention reaches.
Just as a farmer directs water to where it is needed, we can choose where to place our mind's attention.
If we place our attention on anxious thoughts, the anxiety grows; if we place it on the present moment and our breath, the mind naturally becomes still.
Ultimately, we become able to let go of experiences we don't want and sustain the ones we do.
He emphasizes that this is the simplest way to transform our entire life.
The life we live is, at its core, a series of experiences. And those experiences change depending on where we place our attention in this very moment.
Therefore, the power of Sati—placing attention on this moment—is the starting point for changing the direction of the life we will experience.
There is no need to struggle to change the future.
Changing the experience of this moment is enough.
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| Photo by the author |
Then why are we still possessed by the future and anxious?
The reason we are anxious is not because we are lacking, but because we are possessed by the illusion called the "future."
Most people do not know that the future is an illusion.
So, worrying and feeling anxious about the future might seem like a natural thing. It also seems to show that we cherish life and have a desperate heart to live well.
However, as long as we do not realize that the future is an illusion, we fall into the swamp of fantasy and can never escape from anxiety.
We miss the happiness of "here and now" within delusional thinking and fail to live vividly in the present.
Going deeper, at the root of this anxiety lies attachment—craving—that "I must become like this in the future."
"I will get better."
"I must become like this."
"I have to be like this."
These thoughts may seem natural and positive at first glance, but in Buddhism, even these are seen as delusions.
This is because we create a "self" of the future that has not yet come and try to fit ourselves into that image.
So, the thought "I will become XX" can also be another subtle craving that holds us back.
Regarding this attachment, Gautama Buddha viewed questions like "What will I be in the future?" or "How will I be in the future?" as unwise attitudes. (Majjhima Nikaya, Sabbasava Sutta)
Because the "I" who holds that question is merely a phenomenon that momentarily arises and disappears according to causes and conditions.
Thus, we face one important fact.
The Future You Never Arrives
People often say, "The future hasn't come yet, so don't worry in advance."
But looking deeper with Buddhist wisdom, the future never arrives.
This is because the only thing we can experience is "this moment."
In Buddhism, it is said that there is no subject, only action.
It means there is no fixed "I," only phenomena that arise and disappear through the Law of Dependent Origination.
Therefore, the future we are holding onto is not a reality, but just a thought that has arisen in this moment.
So, if anxiety about the future suddenly arises, all we have to do is simply notice it.
Notice it. Ask yourself: 'Where is that anxiety? Where is that thought?'
Just noticing it changes everything.
A similar story appears in the Zen dialogue between Bodhidharma and his disciple Huike.
Huike, trembling with anxiety, said: "My mind is anxious. Please put it at ease."
Bodhidharma said: "Bring me that anxious mind. Then I will put it at ease."
Huike searched for a long time and said: "No matter how hard I look, I cannot find the anxious mind."
Then Bodhidharma said: "I have already put your mind at ease."
Something that cannot be found even when searched for—that is the reality of the "anxiety" we fear.
Ultimately, when we worry about retirement 10 years later, what actually exists is not the pain of 10 years later, but a single "anxious thought" occurring in our heads right now.
When we realize that the past, the future, and even what we call the present are just phenomena that arise and disappear in an instant, we finally become free.
The Secret of 'A Blessed Night' Taught by the Buddha
In the Bhaddekaratta Sutta (The Discourse on One Fortunate Night), the Buddha strictly yet compassionately told us where we should place our minds.
"Do not follow after the past or set your hopes on the future.
The past is gone, and the future has not yet come.
But whoever sees with insight the state that is present, right here and now, Unshakable and immovable, they should know and cultivate that.
Do what must be done today. Who knows if death will come tomorrow?"
As in these words, do not hope for the future, but simply exist with Sati on what is before your eyes.
This teaching is explained similarly in modern psychology.
Dr. Hyun-soo Jeon, a psychiatrist, emphasizes letting go of thoughts and focusing on the present.
He says that if you look closely, thinking is about the past and the future; the past is mostly about regret and anger, and the future is about anxiety and fear, which are unwholesome.
He states that when we focus on the present—specifically on the movements and actions we are doing right now without thought—a wise and beneficial mind arises.
The moment we lose our hearts to a time that does not exist, our lives lose energy and begin to fall ill.
Venerable Beopsang emphasizes that living life well means letting go of thoughts and living purely for what is right in front of us.
The 'Unattainable Mind' in the Diamond Sutra
The "I" and "my future" that we try so hard to hold onto are actually nowhere to be found.
The famous teaching of the Diamond Sutra fundamentally resolves our anxiety. "The past mind cannot be attained, the present mind cannot be attained, the future mind cannot be attained."
Above all, early Buddhist scriptures contain many teachings about non-self (Anatta).
"Form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness are not me, not mine, not my self."
This teaching gives me so much strength.
Whenever anxious thoughts arose while waiting for health checkup results, I frequently told myself, "This body is not me, this body is not mine, this body is not my self."
Also, while counting thoughts—a practice I started recently—I realized with my whole body that thoughts are not something "I" do, but rather something that just pops up regardless of my will the moment they encounter a boundary (the six senses).
Now, I try to focus on the present with mindfulness unconditionally.
Awakening!!! I am realizing that this is more important than anything else.
A very simple way to come to the "now" shared by Venerable Wonbin: Ask yourself frequently, "Am I awake?"
To eliminate thoughts, anxiety, and worry about the future, we must first know that most thoughts are painful and unwholesome.
The Buddha even told practitioners that while sleeping is not beneficial, if they were going to think, they might as well just sleep.
Knowing this nature of thought, we must let go of them.
To do that, we must notice the fact that we are thinking.
Noticing and letting go of thoughts may not be easy at first.
That's why we need practice.
Dr. Jeon suggests moving the object of thought to the body, which contrasts most clearly with thoughts.
This is because the mind inherently needs an object to go to.
We notice the thought and immediately practice mindfulness by focusing on the breath.
Asking "Am I awake?" is a great way, and I have written down phrases like "Am I awake?", "Focus on the present", "In front of my eyes", and "Notice the breath" and posted them all around my house.
Leave the Results to the Universe and Live This Moment with 'Vibrancy'
So, how should we live this moment, escaping from the illusions of the past or future?
How should we live to escape anxiety about the future?
Venerable Beopsang gives a very refreshing and dynamic answer.
"Have the wisdom of that 'not knowing'—how things will turn out.
Trust in a life that flows through the Law of Dependent Origination, and leave the results entirely to the causes and conditions of the universe.
If we try to take responsibility for the results ourselves, we become anxious. But once we return the results to the universe, only light and pure passion remain.
Focus only on the 'Karma' of the present—planting the seeds.
Leave when the fruit will bear to the order of the universe, and you just live today in the most vibrant and light way possible."
For me, the phrase "wisdom of not knowing" was not just a simple comfort.
The moment I heard those words, the strength I used to try to plan, hold onto, and control the future was released.
Like putting down a heavy burden that was weighing on my shoulders, my heart became so light and free. I cried for a long time right then and there.
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| Photo by the author |
"It's okay not to know." "No one knows the results."
In the wisdom of not knowing, I found a strange sense of relief. My heart finally settled, and I experienced a silence that was deeply peaceful.
Looking back, this inner stillness felt profoundly connected to a realization I encountered later through the words of psychiatrist Dr. Jeon:
“Anything can happen in this world. The only thing I can do is choose how to respond. When I live with the intention to respond in accordance with the natural order, my mind finds ease.”
In the end, I realized that all I can truly do is this: to accept whatever unfolds, to respond to it moment by moment, and to carefully observe my own mind.
Maybe that’s why.
Now, this simple fact—that I do not know—no longer feels like a reason for fear. Instead, it feels like a gentle permission for my mind to finally rest.
To those of you reading this, I hope that in the presence of this "wisdom of not knowing," you, too, may feel just a little lighter.
Your Today is the Buddha’s Smile
When anxiety finds you, do not try to push it away by force.
Just notice, "Ah, I am running toward a future that has no substance again," and come back to what is right in front of you.
Feel your breath and quietly observe this moment.
The only time we can actually live is always "now."
Do not consume your current self for a future that hasn't even come yet.
Doing your best in the connections of this very instant—that is enough.
And the results can be left to the universe and to the flow of life.
Tonight, offer yourself a quiet word of peace: "You have done enough. You are already living well, just as you are. Now, rest."
For Your Continued Peace of Mind
If today’s reflection on letting go of future anxiety resonated with you, these further readings might help in anchoring yourself even more deeply in the present moment.
Each story is an invitation to walk further toward a life of "awakening" and true freedom.
[Are You Awake Now? The Easiest Way to Escape Overwhelming Thoughts (Dhammapada 348)]
Recommended Teachings for Your Peace
If you want to experience the deep peace mentioned in this post, I highly recommend watching these videos.
They will guide you from the ancient wisdom of letting go to modern psychiatric solutions for anxiety.
1. Venerable Beopsang: The Wisdom of Letting Go
Venerable Beopsang explains the "Wisdom of Not Knowing" and how to live a vibrant life by trusting the flow of the universe.
"Leave the results to the universe, and live this moment with passion."
2. Dr. Hyun-Soo Jeon: Switching Off the Anxiety
Dr. Jeon, a psychiatrist, shares how to effectively stop the 'waste' of overthinking and return to a healthy, present mind.
"True wisdom and a healthy mind arise when we focus entirely on the present action, leaving behind the 'waste' of overthinking."
[Watch 03:00~16:33, 18:34~35:36]
"May all living beings be healthy, happy, and prosperous. May they be safe, secure, and free from all dangers and enemies."
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