Will anxiety be addressed in the long-term by bhakti or should we try to address it in the short-term too?

Transcript

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So, anxiety, is it addressed in a long term way by the gradual practice of bhakti? Or should we also do something short term, to address anxiety? Yes, the two approaches are not exclusive.
Basically, there are some things in our control, some things not in our control. And the things which are not in our control, if they are important for us, there will be some amount of worry about it. Some amount of anxiety.
But, if our mind habitually focuses on that which is not in our control, then that will make us compulsively worried. That will be unhealthy physically mentally. So, by the process of bhakti, two things happen.
We learn that, that which is not in my control, is not out of control. It is in Krishna’s control. Therefore, I don’t obsessively worry about it so much.
I leave it to Krishna. And, we understand that, let me focus on that which is in my control. This will naturally also happen, as we start coming from the lower modes to the higher modes.
In the mode of ignorance, we underestimate our capacity of what is in my control. In the mode of passion, we overestimate our capacity. And, when we underestimate, we feel powerless.
That can also cause anxiety. When you overestimate, then also it can cause anxiety. But, beyond it, in the mode of goodness, we are more realistic in our assessment.
So, this elevation to the mode of goodness naturally decreases anxiety. And, bhakti helps us to come to the mode of goodness. But, along with that, we also can take some short term measures when necessary.
That means that, if my capacity is to lift a 20 kg weight, and if I suddenly lift a 80 kg weight, I will get crushed. If I lift a 21 kg weight, okay, it’s difficult but I can do it. So, sometimes we use the word comfort zone, stretch zone and panic zone.
So, if I want to build my muscles, I can lift 20 kg weight and I lift half a kg weight. That means no exercise. It will not build my muscles.
So, I have to lift 20 kg or 21 kg. So, trying to lift a half kg weight is like being in a comfort zone. If trying to lift 20 or 21 kg, that is like in a stretch zone.
And, trying to lift 80 kg is like in a panic zone. So, in situations that we have to face in our day to day life, we need some capacity to control. And, there will be something which is out of control.
Say, if tomorrow I have to give a class, and I have some time to prepare for it. And, I will prepare for it. But, if tomorrow I have to give a class on… And, I have never read that book also.
That’s like, I am told to lift 80 kg weight. I can’t do that. Can you give me more time or let somebody else give the class? So, we have to see sometimes, we may just take up too much beyond our capacity, because of which the anxiety is being caused.
Then, we may have to talk with some other devotees, maybe somebody else can take this, somebody else can take this, and I can do this. And, that way we can regulate. But, anxiety itself can be dealt with by practically readjusting, so that we have a focus on what is in our control in a manageable way.
And, it will be gradually addressed by our capacity to discern what is in our control and focus on that. And, to have faith that what is not in our control will work out well by Krishna’s will. Thank you very much.