Worrying is perpetual since problems seem to come in a
steady stream, one after another. If our life is progressing smoothly without
worry problems, we may wonder how it is possible. Will our good fortune end?
This in itself becomes a source of worry! Sadly even not having a worry we get
worried that there is nothing to worry. Thus worrying is universal and
perpetual.
Worrying is a big problem and an obstacle to solving
other problems. Worrying is our number one enemy. First and foremost we have to
tackle this enemy before we turn our attention to other problems. We must
consider the seriousness of the problem. Worrying is dangerous and detrimental
to our health and well-being. In the extreme case, continuous and chronic
worrying can lead to psychosomatic disorders.
What is the nature and anatomy of worry? Worry occurs in
four stages: occupation, victimization, immobilization, and dissipation.
a)
Occupation:
Worry must have a topic or a subject. This could be family, finance, friends
etc. The subject matter of worry occupies our mind whenever it wants to rather
than our deciding to ponder over the issue. Thus the problem encroaches our
mind at its convenience.
Once
the problem has decided to occupy the mind in its time, we have lost the
battle. Even in the first stage we are defeated. Since the problem has chosen
to enter our mind without our permission, who is the master of the mind? The
scriptures refer to the mind has antakarana
meaning inside instrument. We have to use the mind as per our will. But if we
are not able to do so, we have lost control of our mind and the consequence is
“loss of freedom.”
b)
Victimization:
Once the problem enters our mind, it decides how long to remain the duration of
occupation. The problem evolves and churns the mind producing unhealthy
emotions such as fear, bitterness, self-pity, frustration, anger etc and
victimizes us in the process. First it destroys our mental health. Then it destroys
our physical health. Thus victimization results is “loss of health.”
c)
Immobilization:
Once worry and unhealthy emotions occupy the mind, our intellectual resources and
capacity to solve the problem get immobilized. The intellect cannot think when
negative emotions occupy the mind. We may be an expert in Vedanta but the knowledge is not available to us. Since the
intellect is not able to function, we cannot think of possible solutions to the
problems. Thus immobilization leads to “loss of solution.”
d)
Dissipation:
Since our intellect is no longer available to us, not only are we not able to
think of a solution to the problem facing us, we are also not able to do any
constructive work that requires deliberate thinking and mastery over the mind
and intellect. Consequently our lives become mechanical. This is living in
absentia! We are living but we may just as well be not there. We don’t cognize
the present instead brood over the past. The future is unborn and the past is
dead and the present is the gift from the Lord. Worrying makes a person to lose
this gift and life gets dissipated. In the extreme case life itself is
destroyed. Thus there is “loss of life.”
Unfortunately we do not
take worrying seriously at all. Further we accept worrying as a necessary part
of our lives, nay even a duty. Often worrying is mistaken for concern. The
society may even consider a worrying person – about his children’s future or
about his job or illnesses in the family – as a sign of a responsible person. A
Sanskrit verse talks about two types of fires: cita (funeral fire) and cinta
(the fire of worry) and poses a question – which is more potent? The verse
replies that worry fire is more powerful than a funeral fire, for it only burns
a dead body, while worry consumes a living body.
We may ask the question – if we should not worry over the
problem, does it mean we should suffer? The shastras
says we need not suffer. We must work on the problem and not worry over it.
Worrying alone is condemned. Working over the problem is something every
responsible person should do.
What is the difference between worrying over a problem
and working on it? If we have a clear understanding of the process of working
on a problem, we can ascertain whether we are worrying or working. Like worry,
working also comprises four stages: decision, crystallization, exploration, and
preparation.
1)
Decision:
We decide when to think over a problem (unlike worrying where the problem
decides). We choose the time and also the duration. The problem cannot
gatecrash our mind without our approval. We put a board,’ No Admission Without
Permission.”
2)
Crystallization:
We condense and crystallize the problem into a few important points. It is not
a meandering thinking leading to emotional disturbance. The intellect or the
rational faculty is in command.
3)
Exploration:
We think of various solutions to the problem. This is solution oriented
thinking as opposed to worrying which is problem-oriented thinking. We will
know the difference between worrying and working if we study our way of
thinking. If we find it difficult to go through the stages of crystallization
and exploration, it means we are worrying. We are being victimized by the
problem.
4)
Preparation:
When we go through the stage of exploration; we will be able to identify many
alternatives or solutions to the problem. We have to choose one alternative and
plan its implementation. Hopefully our implementation will succeed in solving
the problem.
Sometimes the
implementation of our strategy may not solve the problem. In such a case we
must not lose hope but try again. We go through the four stages again and,
until the problem is solved we summon our inner strength and peace of mind to
face the problem.
At times a problem becomes insolvable as in the case of a
medical problem where the doctor says – You have to live with it. This is a
choiceless situation. In such a case, preparation is strengthening the mind by
wisdom, understanding and prayer to rise above the problem. We grow to such an
extent that the problem appears insignificant. We may wonder whether this is
possible. The lives of great people are a big inspiration. Many handicapped
people went on to become great achievers. They did not seek sympathy or brood
instead kept achieving great heights as to inspire others.
Thus even if we are not able to
solve our problems, we can live a happy, contented and constructive life. On this
New Year’s Day, let us seek the grace of the Lord so that we no longer worry
over our problems. Let us pray to the Lord to give us strength and wisdom to
solve those problems that are solvable and accept and rise above those that are
not solvable.
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