If we see problems as small won’t we neglect serious problems?

Answer Podcast

Transcript

This is an AI-generated transcript and may contain some errors.
If the problem is big then we can undermine the problem by thinking it is small. What can we do about it? There are two distinct things. There is a real problem and there is a perception of the problem.
And the perception can go wrong in both ways. Sometimes we may exaggerate the problem making it bigger than what it needs to be. And sometimes we may downplay the problem.
The point is that the mind tricks us in different ways. So, yes, there are many situations when we just downplay the problem too much. But in today’s situation anxiety is often caused because we exaggerate the problem.
So, I did say in the beginning fear is a good thing. Fear is not the problem. That means there is acknowledgement there is a danger and I have to deal with this danger.
So, in that sense we do acknowledge there is a real problem. So, now if our specific problem the whole topic of the seminar was dealing with anxiety. So, then we are talking here about somebody who doesn’t take enough responsibility.
Who doesn’t worry when there is reason to worry also. Who doesn’t commit oneself. That’s a different problem and that requires a different strategy for dealing with.
So, in that case the mind has to be trained to contemplate the importance of things. So, for example, if this particular thing why is it important for me? This is what will lead to this. This is what will lead to this.
So, we contemplate the consequences not just the consequences but the consequentiality. Why something is important? Then things are just right now. So, we may have to do that.
So, if we are downplaying certain problems just like a person has a disease and doctor tells you you have to take this medicine morning, afternoon, evening. If you don’t take it, your disease is going to worsen. Sometimes when a patient depending on the patient’s disposition, the doctor has to respond appropriately that if the patient is very fearful then the doctor has to tell don’t worry we have good medicine and if you just take this medicine regularly, you will cure it.
If the patient is very flippant nothing is wrong with me then the doctor has to take another approach. This is a serious problem. This can go wrong.
This can happen. This can happen. If you don’t take this the doctor may have to give a grim prognosis in order to induce seriousness for taking the treatment.
So, the purpose in both cases of the doctor is the same to treat the patient but the process the patient doctor uses may be different depending on the disposition of the patient. So, if our problem in a specific situation is that we are taking things too lightly then it is a part of us which has to become like a doctor and remind us that this is really consequential and I have to take it seriously. So, in general, when we reflect why is this important for me? Why is this a serious problem which needs to be dealt with? Write it down.
And then revisit it periodically whenever we start taking the problem frivolously. That way we can have the adequate gravity when dealing with the problem.