Let the forest find you: In 1994, an Irish poet predicted one lost habit that could rescue us from modernity's chaos

Everybody today is fed up with the never-ending hustle culture; be it at work or at home, we hardly get to sit in peace without worrying about something or other. Back in 1994, way before modernity became an intricate part of the social fabric, David Whyte, an Irish poet, anticipated the destructive effects of a chaotic modern age. He said people are desperately trying to find a purpose in life — a more peaceful and satisfying existence — but lack direction. In an interview with Dr. Jeffrey Mishlove for his show, "Thinking Allowed," Whyte explored wisdom from David Wagoner's poem "Lost" and spoke about that one lost habit that could rescue us from the chaotic modern world — being still. 

Whyte said people are constantly in search of a creative change, and it's nothing new; in fact, human beings have been craving for it for millennia. He also explained that poetry could simplify things for people and drive them closer to their desires. Poems, he argued, reconnect us to a part of ourselves that gets buried under societal expectations. Whyte then recited a few lines from Dante Alighieri's poem, "The Divine Comedy," which refers to a moment where everything stops making sense, and we suddenly realize that we must change. While you may feel disoriented and lost, the moment of transition is a life-changing experience. Whyte explained that Alighieri's poem is basically a roadmap of life. He then mentioned Wagoner's poem "Lost" and explained how being lost shouldn't be treated as a problem; in fact, it's a condition that eventually leads us to awareness.

"Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here, and you must treat it as a powerful stranger; you must ask permission to know it and be known," Whyte recited, emphasizing Wagoner's perspective that surrendering to attention in moments of uncertainty is the only way out. The poem suggests that instead of panicking, we should respond to sudden changes with patience and attentiveness. "No two trees are the same to Raven. No two branches are the same to Wren. If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you, you are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows where you are. You must let it find you," the poem reads. Wagoner tries to draw a comparison between human disorientation and the natural awareness of animals. He said that the raven and the wren are never lost because they notice and appreciate the forest, a metaphor for sudden, unfamiliar situations, for all the small, specific, and unique aspects of it, rather than seeing it as vague or unimportant.

However, whenever humans are hit by confusion, they stop noticing what is surrounding them, and eventually lose themselves. Using the poem, Whyte explained the three stages of digging your way out of disorientation. The first stage is where you pay attention to every small detail and become conscious of your surroundings. The second stage is being able to stay grounded in silence, so the intensity of the surroundings doesn't overwhelm you. In the third and final stage, you must be patient and let things that are destined for you find you. In short, you must let the "forest"  — the reality, the truth  — guide you by being present and receptive. Likewise, research by X Meng and C D'Arcy also found that panicking during difficult situations actually affects the coping mechanism. Researchers found that distress influences people's ability to cope with challenges; it increases negative coping mechanisms while significantly reducing healthy coping. Why does it matter? Well, while negative coping leads to worsened mental and physical health, positive coping results in higher psychological well-being. Healthy coping looks like sticking to your diet chart, venting with friends, and trying to actively counter the threat, which builds resilience in people. Negative coping habits like overeating or substance use employ a quick-fix that ultimately pulls a person further down the rabbit hole rather than helping them escape. Surprisingly, the correlation between stress and coping mechanisms was found to be constant across different population subgroups.

Meanwhile, responding to Whyte's prediction about the modern world, @modernape9878 commented, "There's some real wisdom here. Maybe you leave the forest and the trees. I think we all do many times in life. The point is that no matter how many times we get lost in the forest, the 'here' is always ready to receive us again." @egal007 wrote, "Now I practice being still in my movements... simply letting go of my plans and just BEING my life... no more reactions... no more actions... just flowing... I know myself that I am right when my feelings are flowing... no attachment... no thinking... let the divine guide me... the best prayer ever."

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