Anxiety and Trouble

For a few days now I have been reading a most interesting book on Morita Therapy by David K. Reynolds, a book with the unlikely title of "Playing Ball on Running Water." To give the briefest of summaries of Morita therapy, we might say that, in the author's own words, "The purposes of Morita therapy are quite clear. They are to teach students to accept feelings as they are, to know their purposes, and to do what needs to be done." Well, that's straitforward and pedestrian enough. But later in the book Mr. Reynolds has this to say about anxiety:

"It is not a new idea that difficulties in life generate the construction of purpose. Happiness, peace, and a life of ease would destroy us. [What a concept!] Without anxiety and trouble, we could not survive. Without conflict and struggle, life would not choose to continue. It is not that suffering is good; it is necessary for our existence. To say this is not to say that all pain must be passively accepted. We are responsible for doing battle with the ills that plague us and others. Yet, if we were ever to succeed in eliminating all discontent, our human species would be doomed. We struggle, and in that struggle lies life's meaning. We are born fighters; we will find something to oppose. If we cannot find a worthy foe, we create one, even if that foe is ourselves. When our last enemy is vanquished, we shall die -- as individuals, as a species.

"So don't seek anxiety-free living; don't strive for constant bliss. Choose rather to continue your struggle. Resolve to react forcefully to the challenges of reality. Hold to your goals. Fight your fight. And live with purpose."

Now how's that for provocative? And I always thought that anxiety and trouble were my enemies. I am going to have to rethink this whole thing all over again.