Anxiety: is it coming from insecurity or from gravity?

Anxiety: is it coming from insecurity or from gravity? – Anxiety can arise from a sense of insecurity or a sense of gravity. The latter is healthy, whereas the former is unhealthy.

Whenever we face anxiety, we may view it negatively, considering it to be something unwanted, something we should fight against and overcome. However, not all anxiety comes from a place of negativity or needs to be overcome.

When anxiety comes from a place of insecurity, it may incite or increase feelings of unworthiness or incapability within us, making us feel overwhelmed by the issue confronting us. Such anxiety can decrease our ability to respond constructively and can even be paralyzing. It is in this context that the Bhagavad Gita recommends fearlessness (16.1) as a vital virtue.

However, anxiety can also be a sign of gravity—a recognition of the importance of the occasion. This kind of anxiety urges us to take the occasion seriously and bring our best effort (“A-game”) to the situation. In fact, such anxiety is often referred to positively as a sense of thrill, excitement, or anticipation.

If we consider anxiety in terms of a pendulum, too much anxiety can paralyze us, while too little anxiety can make us careless and inattentive. Anxiety in the right quantity ensures that we remain careful and alert, allowing us to avoid dangers and tap into opportunities.

When we learn to see anxiety as an energizer rather than a paralyzer, we can harness its power constructively.

Summary:

• Anxiety can be counterproductive if it overwhelms us, filling us with insecurity and fear of imminent disaster.
• Anxiety can be constructive if it arises from an awareness of the gravity of the situation or opportunity, enabling us to focus and act effectively.
• The right level of anxiety ensures we are careful to avoid dangers and powerful enough to seize opportunities.

Think it over:

• Reflect on a time when anxiety paralyzed you and consider whether it was linked to feelings of insecurity.
• Recall an instance when anxiety arose from recognizing the gravity of a situation and enhanced your focus.
• Identify situations where you can use anxiety as an energizer rather than letting it become a paralyzer.

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16.01: Fearlessness; purification of one’s existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity …  – these transcendental qualities belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.