Self-sabotage isn’t a lack of discipline—it often begins with an old belief you’ve learned to trust. Discover how Taoist wisdom can help you break the cycle and rebuild trust in yourself.

In this episode of Tao Dialogues, we explore how to stop self-sabotaging and start trusting yourself through the wisdom of Taoism and Inner Child healing. Discover how limiting beliefs, fear, perfectionism and old childhood patterns can drive self-sabotaging behaviour and how the Golden Thread Process can help you uncover the beliefs beneath those patterns. Learn to recognise the difference between the fearful voice of the Inner Child and the quiet wisdom of Shen, rebuild self-trust, and return to truth, honesty and integrity. Through authentic living, we can stop fighting ourselves and begin flowing more naturally with life.

Read the blog post that inspired this episode: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/p/regret-without-ruin (third 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
• SHEN (THE SPIRITUAL SELF) PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIBmp50wYcmU7jCBLp1Qvl-j
• 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

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

Rejection does not define your worth. This guided meditation will help you release the need for external validation, heal rejection wounds and return to inner peace - with Taoist monk and teacher, David James Lees.

In this guided meditation for rejection and self-worth, discover how to let go of the need for approval, overcome people-pleasing and reconnect with your true value. Drawing on Taoist philosophy and Inner Child healing practices, this calming meditation explores how rejection can become redirection—and why your worth can never be given or taken away by another person. Release external validation, self-doubt and fear of rejection as you build self-acceptance, inner peace, emotional resilience and trust in yourself and the flow of life.

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

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:

• GUIDED MEDITATION PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIA12P7BftG6a18lIWFDjL35&si=bWWub6YyoZpXhFub
• LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zID3yxrdCbbZFuKHCwgV6qhX&si=-zdah_z6MiSZIl0t

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

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

Rejection hurts—but it doesn’t define your worth. Discover the Taoist way to stop chasing validation, let go with dignity, and find peace when life says no.

Discover why rejection can trigger self-doubt, childhood wounds, fear of abandonment and people-pleasing—and how to stop seeking external validation or trying to force people and situations to align.

Learn how non-attachment, self-acceptance and wu wei can help you process rejection, protect your self-worth and emotional wellbeing, and trust that sometimes rejection is redirection towards a more authentic path.

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:

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

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.