Meditation is a highly effective tool for ridding ourselves of panic
Anxiety has a mind of its own. Even when we’ve been studying texts on faith and trust for years, our body can respond with rapid heartbeat when “it” panics. “It’s not me,” we’d say. “I believe that Hashem will help me and my loved ones and will return the world to normal very soon. It’s just my body. It doesn’t let me sleep.”
Hashem built us with very strong survival systems in place. It’s easy to understand the wisdom of that design. If not for our intense fear of death and suffering, many of us would voluntarily end our lives on a “bad day.” Depression, physical pain, heartbreak, and many other difficulties that we humans suffer from can sometimes arouse a deep irrational desire for permanent escape. Fortunately, the adrenaline-based fight-or-flight response gives us the energy and strength we need to overcome physical attack and other life-threatening situations. So we have to admit, panic can be a good thing, a lifesaving thing, our friend.
Like panic, anxiety and worry can be helpful to us. Without it, we might do all sorts of dangerous activities without regard for possible consequences. These emotions help keep us careful and prepared. They help us protect ourselves and our loved ones. They’re useful. Except when they aren’t. Like when they’re keeping us awake at night.
“I’m worried what’s going to happen to our economy after all this. I’m worried about civic unrest, violence, and looting. What if all our food runs out? What if both of us get sick? What if life never returns to normal?” says one worried mother.
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