Anxiety is often misunderstood as just an emotion, a mental state. But from a yogic and Hindu perspective, anxiety is far more—it is a form of energy. This energy, when left unchecked, disrupts the flow of prana (life force) and creates an imbalance in the mind-body system. In modern terms, anxiety is a survival mechanism triggered when we perceive danger, real or imagined. It’s the body’s way of telling us something is out of alignment, urging us to pay attention.
When anxiety arises, it signals that our nervous system is in a state of hyperarousal. The sympathetic nervous system—responsible for the “fight or flight” response—kicks into gear. This leads to physical symptoms like a racing heart, shallow breathing, muscle tension, and digestive upset. The mind is on high alert, scanning for threats, which only reinforces the body’s sense of danger.
But at its core, anxiety is a message: it tells the body that it’s holding onto something—fear, uncertainty, a lack of control. Anxiety can also represent stagnated energy within our subtle body, where prana is unable to move freely. In yogic terms, this is often seen as a blockage in the nadis (energy channels) or imbalance in the chakras.
Unchecked anxiety can wreak havoc on our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Physically, chronic anxiety exhausts the body, leading to illnesses such as heart disease, immune dysfunction, and digestive disorders. Emotionally, it can create a constant sense of dread, making it difficult to experience joy, peace, or clarity. Spiritually, anxiety disconnects us from our higher selves and the universal energy that sustains us, trapping us in the illusion of separation.
In Hindu philosophy, this separation is known as maya, the illusion of duality. Anxiety thrives in maya, convincing us that we are alone, vulnerable, and powerless. The more we feed into this illusion, the more anxiety gains strength, leading us down a destructive path of mental and emotional turmoil.
The good news is that yogic and Hindu traditions offer profound tools to transform the energy of anxiety into one of peace and alignment. Here are some key principles and practices:
1. Pranayama (Breath Control): The breath is the bridge between the body and mind. When anxiety strikes, the breath becomes erratic and shallow. Pranayama techniques like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and Ujjayi (victorious breath) can help regulate the breath, calming the nervous system and restoring balance to the mind and body.
2. Meditation and Raja Yoga: In Raja Yoga, meditation is the path to self-mastery. By calming the fluctuations of the mind (chitta vritti), we can observe the roots of our anxiety without judgment. The practice of dhyana (meditation) allows us to tap into our true nature, which is beyond fear and anxiety. We begin to witness our thoughts as fleeting, rather than identifying with them.
3. Svadhyaya (Self-Study): According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, svadhyaya is the practice of self-inquiry and reflection. Anxiety often stems from unresolved fears or unexamined beliefs. By practicing self-study, we can begin to uncover the deeper causes of our anxiety and work to resolve them. This may include journaling, reading sacred texts, or seeking the guidance of a teacher.
4. Bhakti Yoga (Devotion): Anxiety can be an overwhelming energy, and often the ego tries to manage it alone. Bhakti Yoga invites us to surrender to a higher power—whether it’s God, the Divine, or the universal energy. Through devotion, chanting (kirtan), and prayer, we can soften the ego’s grip and allow divine energy to flow through us, replacing fear with love and trust.
5. Balance the Chakras: In yogic philosophy, anxiety is often linked to an imbalance in the lower chakras—particularly the root chakra (Muladhara) and the solar plexus (Manipura). The root chakra governs our sense of safety and stability, while the solar plexus is related to personal power and control. Practices like grounding meditation, chanting the seed sounds (Lam for Muladhara, Ram for Manipura), and working with specific asanas (such as Virabhadrasana/Warrior pose for strength) can help restore balance.
6. Santosha (Contentment): Anxiety often stems from wanting things to be different from what they are. The yogic practice of santosha reminds us to cultivate contentment in the present moment, even amidst uncertainty. By embracing the present, we dissolve the need to control the future, releasing the grip of anxiety.
By understanding anxiety as energy, we can begin to work with it instead of against it. Anxiety is not something to be feared or suppressed but rather a sign that something in our internal or external world needs attention. Through the wisdom of yoga and Hindu philosophy, we can learn to transform the energy of anxiety into a source of empowerment, growth, and deeper connection to our true selves.
In the end, anxiety is an invitation to return to balance, to live in harmony with the flow of prana, and to remember that we are not separate from the divine energy that permeates the universe. Through consistent practice, we can calm the turbulent waves of anxiety and awaken to our innate peace, strength, and wholeness.
Hari Om Tat Sat
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Wonderful, very helpful piece on anxiety and how to overcome it.