Truth is simple and what I love most about Zen is its utter simplicity in recognizing what is really true.
Not what is partially or sometimes true - but what's always true.
In a nutshell, Zen means awareness, and being with what is, as it is.
In other words, are we in alignment with reality, or are we struggling against reality? In this article we'll explore the ways in which we view our anxiety, the ways in which we relate to and sustain our anxiety, and what we can immediately do to affect drastic and positive change, starting with this very moment.
And in the end, it is my hope that you'll see the inseparable connection between panic and peace - and how railing against one won't reveal the other.
It is true that irrational thoughts do tend to arise more often if you are suffering from anxiety and/or panic attacks.
Consequently, it is certainly more challenging to be mindful when this happens.
However, find out what happens in your experience when you meet the thoughts and fears in your mind without running away.
You may be surprised at what you discover.
Here are 3 things you can do to dramatically reduce or eliminate the anxious thoughts and panic you've been experiencing lately - and transform it into the peace you seek: 1.
Meet Your Panic and Anxiety Head On Zen is essentially about who we're being in relation to something or someone - and this includes our anxious thoughts and feelings.
It also includes this very moment.
In fact, especially this very moment, as it shows up, and not as we wish it shows up.
Inherent in anxiety and panic attacks is the belief that it shouldn't be happening.
And this is never true.
What I mean to say is this: No amount of wishing a particular moment to be different then it is ever changes that moment.
We actually think it's a good strategy, but it rarely ever works out.
Upon closer examination, we can see that whenever we run from anything, that thing must chase us.
This includes thought and feelings.
Please don't believe me but do check it out in your direct experience.
Conversely, whenever we face and embrace anything, by law, it must eventually dissolve and leave our experience.
We're all human and live according the same natural laws and principles.
What we resist surely persists.
This isn't philosophy or religiosity.
Experiment and confirm this for yourself.
We can either live with the laws that govern us, or we can resist and live against them.
It's really our choice and one we can't escape the consequences of.
And that decision is the difference between living a life of peace or a life of struggle.
If we face what's actually happening in our experience without running away from it - we find that thing losing control over us.
Whatever we meet head on loses its power, every time.
Absolutely any challenging situation you find yourself in wants to be met by your loving kindness.
Shine the light of gentle awareness on that which wants to come out of hiding.
Coax it out of the dark corners; it can't hide if the lights are on.
2.
Allow It To Be As It Is Granted, this may seem counterintuitive, but it surely is not.
The reality is, we must first accept our present lot if we wish to experience something different in the next moment.
We can't expect to hate and rail against our current situation as a strategy to usher in a new one.
The essence of Zen is really about being with whatever arises without offering any resistance whatsoever.
It's about being neutral emotionally so that we are in a position to respond appropriately and effectively.
Earlier we said that things are often different than they were, but they are never different then they are.
Notice how your mind in its infinite wisdom will tell you that any particular thought, feeling or experience should or could be different then it presently is.
Is it ever true? Can it ever be true? As much as the mind will try to use logic and reason, it's never true! No doubt you've heard it before, but I'll say it again: The mind is a wonderful servant, but a very poor master.
This is especially true when you are suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and phobias.
If we simply allow our symptoms to be as they are, we find that they don't hang around long enough to torture us.
By taking the backward step (as they say in Zen) into this present moment, we discover that peace never left us in the first place.
It just seemed that way.
3.
Be Compassionate With Yourself Sure, you've heard it before.
Be nice to yourself! Get off your back! Stop blaming yourself! Well, I will say it again because it is more than worth repeating: The key to effective transformation - turning panic into peace - is to get off your back and stop blaming yourself and others.
Wouldn't you treat someone who really needed care with compassion? Why are you any different? Perhaps the greatest quality of Spirit that the Buddha spoke most about was compassion, not only towards oneself, but to others as well.
Compassion is the great neutralizer and has a way of dissolving old wounds as well as new ones.
The truth is you are not to blame for your anxiety, but that doesn't mean you aren't responsible for it.
You aren't 'crazy' or 'weak' - and you're no less worthy a human being for experiencing it, either.
Your mind may tell you different - and even sound very convincing, but is it really true? No, it isn't.
Not even a little bit.
Work with yourself - and not against yourself - if you truly desire to transform your panic into peace.
It's all in how you relate to your current condition.
Resist and judge it, and get more of what you don't want.
That's called working 'against' yourself.
So be kind to yourself, okay? The more kind you can be with yourself, the sooner you'll be feeling better.
That's a promise, because the reality is any time we criticize or condemn ourselves, we are essentially bringing (and attracting) more of what we don't want.
In Conclusion The truth is, you are much more than any thought or feeling that arises.
Within you is the power to transform your panic into peace.
As the Buddha said, "Be a light unto yourself.
" It is only when we face and embrace the situations we find ourselves in as they are, do we give ourselves the opportunity to transcend them.
It is when we add the layers of condemnation, judgment, blame and shame onto our experience that our situation becomes more challenging.
Being as present as we can and accepting where we find ourselves is the key to transformation.
Only when we are kind and compassionate with ourselves can we transcend our anxiety.