It’s possible that this anxiety precedes the current events that trigger it, lying dormant beneath the surface. Could it be that our ego, confronted with its limitations, generates anxiety as a defense mechanism against necessary change? As the saying goes, “What we resist persists.” What, then, is the ego resisting?

In moments of anxiety, when the ego constructs its defenses, we catch glimpses of a more profound reality. We are more than just our ego; we are a complex tapestry of experiences, a soul interwoven with layers of the unconscious, deeply connected to each other and the natural world. These glimpses offer a profound gift, a gift hidden within the anxiety itself.

Anxiety can be an incredibly unpleasant experience – inescapable, paralyzing, and overwhelming. How can such an experience possibly contain a gift?

Here are a few steps to help you explore this question:

1. Acknowledge the Anxiety: When anxiety arises, take a moment to acknowledge its presence. Ground yourself, center your focus, and turn your attention inward.
2. Shift Your Focus: Redirect your attention away from external triggers such as politics, conflict, or environmental concerns.
3. Locate the Anxiety: Pay attention to the physical sensations of anxiety in your body. How does it manifest in your emotions, thoughts, and spirit?
4. Recognize Your Larger Self: As you acknowledge the anxiety, acknowledge the existence of a larger part of yourself, one that often remains hidden and can only be glimpsed in moments like these. Envision this larger part as a vast, unbreakable container, capable of holding the anxiety without overflowing. Allow yourself to truly feel this expansive aspect of your being.
5. Explore the Interface: Observe how the anxiety interacts with what lies beyond it. Recognize that parts of your soul, and parts of the collective, remain untouched by anxiety. Acknowledge the reality of these parts. Allow yourself to experience the awe and wonder that this realization may bring.
6. Embrace the Expanded Awareness: Rest in this expanded state of awareness for as long as possible, allowing the experience to deepen your understanding.

By shifting our perspective and exploring the deeper meaning of anxiety, we can begin to transform this seemingly negative experience into an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.