Many friends have told me lately that they are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. They aren’t alone. Some surveys state that the increase in anxiety in the general population is more than 25%, but I am sure that it is much higher than this. This is, of course, not a new problem, stress has been around since the beginning of human history.
The way I describe “stress” to people is that it is a medical term for a metaphysical disease! Stress is energy, basically accumulated “bad” energy that eventually gets stored in the body and after a long enough period of time manifests itself as “stress” and then eventually turns into the underlining cause of pretty much every disease known to mankind. Wow, did I just say that? Yes! Because it is true!
The medical world saw something that they could not put their finger on, they literally couldn't not touch it and they certainly did, but they do not understand it. To their credit, they did a pretty good job with helping with the symptoms but the symptoms are all they could take care of, the energy of “stress” remained in the body and we feel it all the time.
Stress and the healing of it, is a metaphysical issue, which means it has to do with energy. The answer is to put more positive energy into the body to dispel the negative energy, and then everything heals! I'm kind of being simplistic about it, but it is actually that easy.
Let’s look at it another way……
The main causes of nervousness can be looked at as three categories 1) long-continued overactivity, 2) excessive stimulation of the senses from physical overindulgence, and 3) mental overstimulation from chronic fear, anger, sorrow, hatred, jealousy, discontent, or similar harmful emotions! Any violent or prolonged excitement disturbs the flow of vital life force through the nervous system. Excessive stimulation burns the nerves, cutting off the supply of energy and upsetting the functioning of the nervous system. ‘The most damaging emotions are anger and fear (Worry is usually a fear that something undesirable will happen.) As soon as you are angry or afraid, you burn the nerves. “Anger burns the nerves in the brain and causes poisons to be secreted throughout the body. Fear burns the nerves that supply the heart and can cause heart trouble. Feelings of timidity destroy the nerve endings.” Merely understanding the causes of anxiety will not, of course, cure us of feeling overwhelmed.
I believe the cure for the "worrying" disease and other ailments like it is energy work, for instance, meditation! Meditation is at the top of the list of how to help yourself, but the catch with this is that by the time you realize that you need it because you are very stressed out, it may be very difficult and overwhelming to sit in a meditation position let alone learn the basic concepts of it. Not to discourage anyone but this should be learned when we are young and healthy! But anytime is a good time to begin meditation!
The other way is to go to an energy worker, this will help you quicker than any other modality. Find someone that you trust and is reputable in either Reiki, QiGong, Acupuncture or many other forms of healing. Even better, learn to do it yourself!
If this is not available to you then here is a four-step approach to help fix this problem.
Step 1: Prioritize and Trim
The main cause of feeling overwhelmed is taking on too much. The first step is to separate that which we must do from that which we merely choose to do. Make a list of the demands in your life and separate them into these two categories. As you do this be sure also to consult the feelings of your heart and the whispers of your soul. A principle I try very hard to live by is to give from strength, not from weakness or exhaustion. I simply ignore demands if I’m forced to work in a way that makes me lose my peace. It’s important to be with God, to meditate, and to take time to be with friends. It’s important to work from your center and not to overextend. Too much extension becomes tension. Sometimes there are start-up periods and crises that demand extraordinary efforts. I’m saying: Don’t make it a habit. Respect your rhythms.
Step 2: Release Your Resistance
A second major problem is the internal friction that comes from resisting that which we need to do. If you’ve followed the first step you should now have a two-part list. Try to eliminate some demands that aren’t crucial. Determine to accept unavoidable duties willingly, even cheerfully. Negative reactions cause internal stress. Focus on the positive features of your responsibilities and you will soon see them grow easier. Above all, don’t allow resentment and anger to fill your mind with poison, since it burns the nerves in the brain.
Step 3: Strengthen Yourself
Your first responsibility is YOU. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others. Remember, you have a body, a mind, and a soul, and each needs attention. For the body: eat well, exercise daily, and get enough rest. But don’t overdo any of these. For the mind, make time for some uplifting stimulation, deep thinking, and a little laughter. For your emotions, set aside time for those things and people that make you happy, and avoid things that make you upset or angry. In today’s media-driven world this is a global problem, and it is burning up the world’s nervous system. For the soul, meditate and serve others. Step 4: Give Your Problems to God
This may come as a shock to you, but you aren’t responsible for the world’s welfare. It is enough to take responsibility for your own well-being and to try to help those who are in your circle of influence. Leave the rest to God. In fact, here is an even better idea: Leave everything to God.
Let Go and Let God!
Hari Om Tat Sat
Comments