How To Deal With Anxiety

Anxiety is a big problem in today's society. Many people may suffer from anxiety or, in more severe cases, even panic attacks. 

So today, I feel like sharing a simple technique you can use next time, which helps ease anxiety greatly. 

So usually, we feel anxious because our mind is thinking about something or encountering a particular situation. People can feel anxious due to a wide range of reasons. 

I remember someone telling me she would feel anxious among many people. 

So what you can do when you encounter a situation or someone that may cause you to feel anxious is that before the anxiety overwhelms you, quickly shift your focus from the object that may trigger anxiety to think about the name of Amitabha Buddha or whatever names or mantras or practice that works for you. 

Remember, all emotions and feelings are temporary. In Buddhism, we call it emptiness in nature which means that they are changing all the time, without a fixed permanent nature. Thus, they are illusions - they only exist temporarily. Therefore, we don't need to be attached to whatever thoughts, feelings and emotions we may experience temporarily. 

We can change our attitudes and responses towards a particular situation by changing our thoughts. 

Here is a simple technique you can use next time when experiencing anxiety. 

Also, whenever we feel anxious about something or someone or a particular situation, our breathing pattern will change from regular to irregular. You may breathe very fast or feel breathless. 

So first, you take a deep breath, and when you breathe out, insert your mantra - Amitabha Amitabha Amitabha, do this as many times as you need and take another deep breath, and in your out-breath, remind yourself that you are this source of Infinite Light & Life and all is well. There are no worries. Just keep repeating this process. 

Deep breath in and in your out-breath: Amitabha Amitabha Amitabha, make your mind focus on Amitabha- Infinite Light and Life, instead of thinking about the things that may trigger your anxiety 

This is a simple technique that can effectively help you relieve your anxiety quickly and make you feel much more relaxed. 

If you are more prone to anxiety, then in your daily meditation, you can add on the breathing with Amitabha meditation to help you relieve anxiety and stress.

Namo Buddhaya 

Namo Amitabhaya