True calmness comes from understanding that anxiety is not an external force but a reflection of our internal perceptions and thoughts.
Welcome to this series of meditation tracks.
In this series I aim to talk about anxiety in a different way and create space for insight and reflection for you so that you can see something new about your anxious thoughts.
Believe me I understand how debilitating anxiety can be and I want you to know that there is a way through as anxious thoughts are not you but they are happening to you.
Make yourself a little more comfortable.
Leave everything behind.
Let go of expectations.
Let go of judgment.
And allow yourself the gift of these few minutes together.
If you feel comfortable to do so close your eyes or lower your gaze and allow your breathing to settle into a deep rhythmic pattern.
There's nothing to attend to,
Nothing to do,
Nowhere to be.
I invite you to listen to today's quote again and see what it means to you.
True calmness comes from understanding that anxiety is not an external force but a reflection of our internal perceptions and thoughts.
Take a moment to let this idea sink in.
Breathe in deeply,
Hold for a few seconds and exhale slowly.
Allow the words to settle into your mind embracing their meaning.
Now ask yourself,
What does this quote mean to you?
Reflect on the idea that anxiety is not something that happens to us from the outside but rather something that arises from within us.
How does this perspective shift the way you view your own experiences with anxiety?
How do you feel as you reflect on this?
You may take a moment to scan your body and notice any physical sensations.
Are there areas where you feel tension or relaxation?
Acknowledge these feelings without judgment.
Consider where in your life this quote holds true.
Think about moments when you felt anxious.
Were these feelings triggered by external events or were they result of your own thoughts and perceptions?
The key to ending suffering is to recognize how your internal state can influence your experience of anxiety.
What is the key to ending suffering?
What resistance do you have to this idea?
It is natural to feel some resistance when faced with new perspectives.
Are there aspects of the quote that challenge your current beliefs?
Reflect on any discomfort or skepticism you may feel in a gentle way.
If it pleases you,
Take some time to journal about these reflections.
Writing can be a powerful tool to clear your mind but feel free to relax and listen to the music if you don't want to do this.
I'll give you a few moments for reflection or journaling.
Now let me share a personal story to illustrate the quotes.
There was a time in my life when I felt anxious,
Having difficult conversations and anxiety in social situations and especially with the men in my life.
I've had a lot of trauma as a child.
I've had a lot of trauma as a teenager.
I've had a lot of trauma as a child and when I felt that the men were alpha or had some control over me,
I would get severe feelings of anxiety and fear and I'd worry about everything really.
When I got anxious I also got defensive so my conversations got even more difficult because I would close down or get really annoyed and I wouldn't be able to hear what the other person was saying or where they were coming from.
When I realized the inside-out nature of life,
The fact that our experiences are actually colored by our own thoughts,
I had an insight that told me that my response was a trauma response.
It was actually coming from my past.
It wasn't coming from the current situation I was in even though it looked that way.
Actually all the thoughts that I was having about being in the situation that appeared dangerous was what was making me anxious and closed down.
Not the current situation in front of me.
When I realized this,
I still had that response occasionally but I saw that my anxiety was not being created right now.
It was being created from my past thoughts and that if I did feel anxiety,
I could allow myself to settle and see what I needed to know in that moment.
I can't tell you how much this has helped me in my relationships.
I'm now in a very loving marriage for over 10 years.
I've also seen it in my work,
Bringing me a sense of calm when I see that I'm having anxious thinking instead of viewing the situation from a neutral standpoint.
I invite you to take a moment to reflect on this story.
Does it help you to see the quote in the new light?
Can you identify similar patterns in your own life where internal thoughts have amplified your anxiety?
Just consider how changing your perception might alter your experience of anxiety.
You don't have to do anything with your thoughts.
You just have to realize that they are anxious thoughts.
I'll give you a moment to consider this.
Please don't worry if you can't see anything new right now.
You've already opened your mind to new possibilities and insight will follow in time.
For further exploration,
I invite you to take a moment to reflect on your anxiety.
I invite you to check out the playlist called Anxiety in my profile and I think you'd enjoy the course,
How to Make Decisions You Can Trust.
It offers practical strategies and insights to help you to develop decision-making skills that you can rely on,
Fostering confidence and clarity in your daily life.
As we conclude this meditation,
Remember that understanding the internal nature of anxiety can be a powerful step towards finding peace.
Keep exploring these thoughts and may you carry this calmness with you throughout your day.
Lots of love.
