Anxiety arises from a feeling of emptiness. If you will be fully aware of the emptiness, without resistance, and without wishing to escape it, it turns into something new. But have no desire to experience the newness; simply be aware of the emptiness from himself is secretly terrified by the question, “But what can I find to do next?” again, an alert awareness of this condition is a fine start toward destroying both the painful throb and the artificial activities.
It is good to hear that consciousness has the power to destroy pressures of which we are unaware. They are able to bother us only because we are unconscious of their existence. The vast majority of pressures are like sea mines below the surface of the water, which blows up unwary ships. One unseen anxiety is the idea of being cheated out of the good fortune enjoyed by others. We look enviously at the man with a higher salary or longer vacation, and feel cheated. Awareness frees us from that form of self-torture.
Let me give you a surprising and quite revealing experiment. The next time someone tells you how anxious and worried he is, reply, “The situation may be exactly as you describe it, but tell me why should you anxious over it?” I guarantee that if he really hears your question, it will startle him. He may answer you, but in no case will it be a calm, accurate, or realistic answer. His reply will be emotional and he may splutter, frown, or sigh.
His answer will not be realistic because, in reality, there is no reason why he could be anxious. There just isn’t, even if he doesn’t see it. That is why he must give you a non-realistic reply, based on his confused emotions and false ideas about life.
This is the exact lession taught by Jesus, Lao-tse, Socrates, and every other advanced teacher. Be anxious over nothing. Take this as if it means exactly what it says: “Be anxious over nothing.”
It is good to hear that consciousness has the power to destroy pressures of which we are unaware. They are able to bother us only because we are unconscious of their existence. The vast majority of pressures are like sea mines below the surface of the water, which blows up unwary ships. One unseen anxiety is the idea of being cheated out of the good fortune enjoyed by others. We look enviously at the man with a higher salary or longer vacation, and feel cheated. Awareness frees us from that form of self-torture.
Let me give you a surprising and quite revealing experiment. The next time someone tells you how anxious and worried he is, reply, “The situation may be exactly as you describe it, but tell me why should you anxious over it?” I guarantee that if he really hears your question, it will startle him. He may answer you, but in no case will it be a calm, accurate, or realistic answer. His reply will be emotional and he may splutter, frown, or sigh.
His answer will not be realistic because, in reality, there is no reason why he could be anxious. There just isn’t, even if he doesn’t see it. That is why he must give you a non-realistic reply, based on his confused emotions and false ideas about life.
This is the exact lession taught by Jesus, Lao-tse, Socrates, and every other advanced teacher. Be anxious over nothing. Take this as if it means exactly what it says: “Be anxious over nothing.”
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