This song is based on the 9th chapter/passsage of Dao De Jing book or teachings. I'm not quite sure what it's technically called. The passage reads "Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after your money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity."
I think the song is about, freeing yourself of extremes and of what others think of you. The chorus about "trapped in our own private hells" refers to the line in the passage about being others prisoner and the part about "the broken hearts that are soaked with fear" refers to seeking for approval that you never win.
This song is based on the 9th chapter/passsage of Dao De Jing book or teachings. I'm not quite sure what it's technically called. The passage reads "Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after your money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity."
I think the song is about, freeing yourself of extremes and of what others think of you. The chorus about "trapped in our own private hells" refers to the line in the passage about being others prisoner and the part about "the broken hearts that are soaked with fear" refers to seeking for approval that you never win.