How To Deal With Anxiety | Buddhism In English

Buddhism

19 Nov 202212:08

Summary

TLDRThis video discusses the impact of anxiety and offers Buddhist practices as a means to cope with it. Anxiety is a natural human response to danger, but it can become problematic when it occurs without real threats. The video suggests acknowledging anxiety as a common human experience, practicing mindfulness to create a space between oneself and anxious thoughts, and observing them without judgment. It emphasizes the impermanence of thoughts and the importance of compassion towards oneself. By understanding that one is not their thoughts and focusing on the present moment, individuals can find peace and tranquility.

Takeaways

😨 Anxiety is a common human emotion that arises in response to perceived danger or threat, but for some, it occurs without any real danger present.
🙈 People often hide their anxiety, appearing outwardly calm while internally experiencing a chaotic state of fear and worry.
🧘 The first step in dealing with anxiety according to Buddhist practice is to acknowledge its presence and accept it as a common human experience.
🌼 Buddha taught that suffering is an inherent part of existence, regardless of one's social status or wealth, and this includes the experience of anxiety.
💡 Mindfulness is a key Buddhist practice for managing anxiety, which involves being aware of and observing one's thoughts and feelings without judgment.
🧐 The practice of 'chitanupasana' or mindfulness of the mind involves observing thoughts to create a space between oneself and one's thoughts, which can help in managing anxiety.
🌈 Recognizing that thoughts are impermanent and constantly changing can provide relief from anxiety by understanding that anxious thoughts will pass.
🤔 Analyzing the nature of anxious thoughts can lead to insights about their impermanence and help in letting go of them.
🕒 Being mindful brings one to the present moment, which is peaceful and tranquil, contrasting with the anxious mind that often jumps to the future.
🙌 Showing compassion to oneself and not striving for perfection is important in managing anxiety, as it reduces self-imposed pressure and expectations.
🌟 The speaker wishes for a peaceful, healthy life and happiness for all, highlighting the universal goal of overcoming suffering, including anxiety.

Q & A

What is anxiety according to the video?
-Anxiety is a common human emotion that we feel when our lives are in danger or when we are in threatening situations. It's a normal human nature, but for some, it persists even when there is no real danger or threat.
Why do people sometimes feel anxious without any real danger present?
-Some people feel fear and worry without any real danger because their minds create these emotions, often due to delusional thoughts or exaggerated concerns about situations that do not actually pose a threat.
How does the video suggest we should initially deal with anxiety?
-The video suggests that the first step in dealing with anxiety is to acknowledge it. This involves recognizing that anxiety is a common human response and that everyone experiences suffering in some form.
What is the significance of mindfulness in Buddhist practice as it relates to anxiety?
-Mindfulness is a key Buddhist practice that helps in dealing with anxiety. It involves being aware of one's body, feelings, mind, and mental states, which can create a space between oneself and one's thoughts, allowing for a more objective observation of anxious thoughts.
What is the practice of 'chitanupasana' as mentioned in the video?
-Chitanupasana is a mindfulness practice where one observes their thoughts. It helps in creating a separation between oneself and one's thoughts, leading to the realization that one is not the anxiety or fear itself.
How does the video explain the relationship between thoughts and the sky as an analogy?
-The video uses the sky as an analogy to explain thoughts. Just as clouds come and go in the sky without changing its nature, thoughts come and go without changing who we are. This analogy helps to separate oneself from the thoughts and observe them objectively.
What is the role of wisdom in dealing with anxiety as per the video?
-Wisdom is used to analyze the nature of anxious thoughts. By understanding that thoughts are impermanent and come and go, one can realize that they are not to be feared or worried about, and this can lead to letting go of anxiety.
Why is it important to practice mindfulness during moments of anxiety?
-Practicing mindfulness during anxiety helps bring the mind to the present moment, which is peaceful and tranquilizing. It prevents the mind from jumping to the future and creating more anxiety, and instead allows for a more grounded and calm state of being.
How does the video suggest we should treat ourselves when practicing mindfulness and dealing with anxiety?
-The video suggests showing compassion to oneself and not expecting perfect results. It emphasizes that no one can be perfect and that doing one's best is what truly matters.
What is the final advice given in the video for those who wish to live a peaceful and happy life?
-The final advice is to practice mindfulness, acknowledge one's anxious thoughts, use wisdom to understand their impermanent nature, and show compassion to oneself. This approach can lead to a more peaceful, healthy, and happy life.

Outlines

00:00

🧘‍♂️ Understanding Anxiety and Buddhist Practices

This paragraph introduces the topic of anxiety and how Buddhist practices can be utilized to cope with it. Anxiety is described as a natural human emotion experienced when faced with danger or threatening situations. However, some individuals feel anxious without any real threat, which is the focus of the discussion. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging anxiety as a common human experience, as taught by Buddha, who stated that suffering is an inherent part of life. The first step to dealing with anxiety, according to the speaker, is to recognize its presence within oneself, avoiding the common tendency to suppress or fight against these feelings.

05:01

🌱 Mindfulness: A Key Buddhist Practice for Anxiety

The second paragraph delves into the practice of mindfulness as a method to address anxiety. Mindfulness, with its roots in Buddhist teachings, is explained through the concept of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, as taught in the Satipatthana Sutta. The speaker highlights 'chitanupasana' or mindfulness of the mind, which involves observing one's thoughts without judgment. This practice creates a mental space that separates an individual from their thoughts, allowing for a clearer understanding that thoughts are not the self. The analogy of clouds in the sky is used to illustrate the transient nature of thoughts and the unchanging essence of the mind. The speaker encourages the audience to practice mindfulness to gain insight into the impermanent nature of anxious thoughts and to develop the wisdom to let go of them.

10:01

🕊 Practicing Mindfulness and Compassion for Anxiety Relief

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of practicing mindfulness to stay in the present moment, which is a state of peace and tranquility. Anxiety often arises when the mind jumps to the future, causing worry and fear. By being mindful, one can bring the mind back to the present, reducing anxiety. The speaker suggests a simple mindfulness trick: asking oneself, 'What am I thinking now?' when anxiety arises. This self-inquiry helps in identifying and understanding one's thoughts. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to show compassion to oneself and to avoid the expectation of perfection, as striving for perfection can be a source of anxiety. The speaker wishes the audience a peaceful, healthy life and the ability to live happily, highlighting the goal of Buddhist practices in managing anxiety.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is described in the script as a common human emotion experienced in response to perceived danger or threats. It is a normal part of human nature, but for some, it becomes a persistent worry even when there is no real danger present. The video's theme revolves around how to manage and deal with this emotion using Buddhist practices. For example, the script mentions that 'anxiety is a common human emotion that we feel when our lives are in danger or when our lives are in threatening situations.'

💡Buddhist Practice

The script discusses various Buddhist practices as methods to cope with anxiety. These practices are rooted in the teachings of Buddha and are presented as tools for understanding and managing one's emotions. The term is integral to the video's message, which is to provide techniques based on Buddhist philosophy to alleviate anxiety. The script refers to 'certain practices that we can practice according to the Buddhist way to help you to deal with this anxiety thoughts.'

💡Acknowledge

To 'acknowledge' in the context of the video means recognizing and accepting the presence of anxiety within oneself. It is the first step suggested in the Buddhist approach to dealing with anxiety. The script emphasizes that acknowledging anxiety is crucial because it allows individuals to see it as a common human experience rather than something to be feared or fought against. The video states, 'first of all we have to acknowledge that, my mind has these anxious thoughts.'

💡Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a central Buddhist practice highlighted in the script as a means to deal with anxiety. It involves being fully present and aware of one's body, feelings, mind, and mental states. The script explains that mindfulness can create a space between oneself and one's thoughts, allowing for a non-judgmental observation of these thoughts. An example from the script is 'the mindfulness, and you know that Buddhism has a great background of mindfulness so our great teacher Supreme Buddha taught us there are four rounds of mindfulness.'

💡Chitanupasana

Chitanupasana, as mentioned in the script, is a specific mindfulness practice that involves observing one's thoughts. This practice is part of the broader concept of mindfulness in Buddhism and is used to create awareness and distance between an individual and their anxious thoughts. The script describes it as 'being mindful about your mind that is called, chitanupasana, simply the Buddha teaches us you have to observe your thoughts.'

💡Impermanent

The concept of 'impermanence' is a fundamental Buddhist teaching that everything is transient and constantly changing. In the context of the video, recognizing the impermanent nature of thoughts and emotions can help individuals understand that anxiety, like all thoughts, comes and goes. The script illustrates this by saying, 'this is impermanent, that cut this comes and this goes survey, so it gives you this feeling of, impermanent, right.'

💡Delusional Emotion

A 'delusional emotion' is referred to in the script as a false or irrational feeling that triggers anxiety. The video suggests that by practicing mindfulness and analyzing these emotions, one can realize that they are not based on reality and thus learn to let go of them. The script points out that 'anxiety is always triggered by an emotion a delusional emotion.'

💡Present Moment

The 'present moment' is a key focus in the mindfulness practice discussed in the video. By being mindful and aware of one's thoughts, an individual can bring their mind to the present, which is described as peaceful and tranquilizing. The script explains that when one is anxious, the mind often jumps to the future, but mindfulness brings it back to the present, as in 'when you become mindful your mind comes to this present moment which is peaceful.'

💡Compassion

The script encourages viewers to show 'compassion' to themselves, emphasizing the importance of self-kindness and acceptance in the process of dealing with anxiety. It advises against striving for perfection and instead promotes doing one's best. The script mentions, 'show some compassion to yourself, don't expect hundred percent Perfection.'

💡Wisdom

Wisdom, in the context of the video, is the ability to understand and make sound judgments, particularly in relation to one's thoughts and emotions. It is suggested that by using wisdom to analyze and question the nature of anxious thoughts, individuals can gain insight and overcome anxiety. The script refers to wisdom when it says, 'you have to use your wisdom to think, what is the nature of the thought.'

Highlights

Anxiety is a common human emotion felt when in danger or threatening situations.

Some people experience fear and worry without any real danger present.

People often hide their anxiety, appearing good on the outside while feeling chaotic inside.

The first step to dealing with anxiety is acknowledging its presence.

Buddha taught that all beings are subjected to suffering, including anxiety.

Acknowledging anxiety prevents it from taking control over your life.

Mindfulness is a key Buddhist practice for dealing with anxiety.

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness include the body, feelings, mind, and mental states.

Chitanupasana, or mindfulness of the mind, involves observing thoughts without judgment.

Creating a space between you and your thoughts helps to separate your identity from anxiety.

Anxiety thoughts are impermanent, like clouds passing in the sky.

Analyzing the nature of anxiety thoughts can reveal their lack of substance.

Mindfulness brings you to the present moment, a peaceful state away from anxious thoughts about the future.

Practicing mindfulness can be challenging but yields results over time.

Self-compassion is important; strive for progress, not perfection.

Asking oneself 'What am I thinking now?' is a simple mindfulness trick to identify anxious thoughts.

Wisdom and analysis can help you let go of anxious thoughts and find peace.

The practice of mindfulness and compassion can lead to a more peaceful and healthy life.