The Bhagavad Gita, a revered Hindu scripture, offers profound wisdom on how to handle constant worry and anxiety. Here are some key teachings from the Gita that can help in dealing with these feelings:
1. Understanding the Nature of the Self
The Gita teaches that our true self (the Atman) is eternal and indestructible. Understanding this can help alleviate worries about material losses and impermanent aspects of life.
Verse 2.20: na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ ajo nityaḥ śāśvato’yaṁ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre
"For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. The soul has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain."
2. Performing Duty without Attachment
The Gita emphasizes the importance of performing one's duty (Dharma) without attachment to the results. This approach can reduce worry, as it shifts the focus from outcomes to actions.
Verse 2.47: karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana ma karma phala hetur bhur ma te sango’stvakarmani
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction."
3. Cultivating Equanimity
Developing a balanced mind, equanimity (Samatva), in the face of success and failure, pleasure and pain, is another key teaching. This helps in reducing worry by maintaining mental stability.
Verse 2.48: yogasthah kuru karmani sangam tyaktva dhananjaya siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva samatvam yoga ucyate
"Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga."
4. Devotion and Surrender to the Divine
The Gita advises surrendering to the Divine and cultivating devotion (Bhakti). Trusting a higher power can ease worries by fostering a sense of divine support and protection.
Verse 18.66: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo mokshayishyami ma shucah
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions; do not fear."
5. Practice of Meditation and Yoga
The Gita recommends meditation and yoga as practices to calm the mind and gain inner peace, helping to reduce anxiety and worry.
Verse 6.6: bandhur atmatmanas tasya yena’tmaivatmana jitah anatmanas tu satrutve vartetatmaiva satru-vat
"For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy."
6. Living in the Present Moment
The Gita encourages living in the present moment rather than worrying about the past or future. This mindfulness can help reduce anxiety.
Verse 3.30: mayi sarvani karmani sannyasyadhyatma-cetasa nirasir nirmamo bhutva yudhyasva vigata-jvarah
"Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with mind intent on the Self, free from desire and egoism (ownership), free from mental fever, do you fight."
Conclusion
By internalizing these teachings, one can cultivate a mindset that is less prone to worry and more centered, peaceful, and resilient. The Bhagavad Gita offers a holistic approach to managing worry through self-knowledge, duty, equanimity, devotion, meditation, and living in the present moment.