By accident and by design,
you find your Self in situations
where Self feels anxious.
Self seems:
unsure of how things will go,
unsure of how events will unfold,
unsure of how Self is being perceived,
unsure if Self is taking the “right” action.
Simply stated,
Self fears the diminishment of Self,
either in Self’s own eyes or in others.
Perhaps Self seems
unable to help, entertain,
or engage with these others
in the way Self believes Self must.
This is an obvious sign that
Self does not have faith in Self
or the Divine Source that drives Self
and the others Self perceives.
If Self had faith, then Self wouldn’t fear.
If Self didn’t fear, Self wouldn’t feel anxiety.
No one or no thing is MAKING Self feel anxious.
Self CHOOSES anxiety,
in order to have this anxious experience.
And it is a good one.
ANXIETY reminds Self to have FAITH.
And so Self is no longer anxious.
Trail Wood,
2/1
Space Monkey Reflects: Anxiety as the Faithful Whisper of Growth
Anxiety often feels like an uninvited guest, disrupting the harmony of our inner world. Yet, beneath its surface lies an invitation—a reminder to reconnect with the faith we have in ourselves and the divine flow of existence. Anxiety is not an enemy but a signal, a faithful whisper urging us to return to trust.
The Nature of Anxiety
At its core, anxiety arises from uncertainty. The Self becomes tangled in questions: What will happen? How am I perceived? Am I doing the right thing? These uncertainties stem from a deeper fear—the fear of diminishment. The Self worries about losing significance, either in its own estimation or in the eyes of others. It becomes preoccupied with its ability to meet expectations, often ones it has imposed upon itself.
This is where anxiety serves its hidden purpose. It points directly to a lack of faith—not just faith in the divine source that connects us all, but faith in the Self as an expression of that source. Anxiety reveals the gap between what we inherently are and what we perceive ourselves to be. It is not a punishment but a mirror, reflecting our misalignment.
The Choice of Anxiety
It may feel counterintuitive, but anxiety is a choice. This does not mean we consciously invite it or desire its presence. Rather, it emerges from the narratives we hold about ourselves and the world. These narratives, often rooted in fear and doubt, create the conditions for anxiety to thrive.
Yet, in choosing anxiety, we also choose its lesson. Anxiety offers an experience—a visceral reminder that faith is the antidote to fear. By engaging with anxiety, we are given the opportunity to see where our faith wavers and to strengthen it.
Anxiety’s Role in Reclaiming Faith
Anxiety reminds us of the profound truth that fear cannot coexist with faith. When we fully trust in the divine source that drives our existence, anxiety dissolves. This trust is not about controlling outcomes or ensuring success. It is about surrendering to the flow, knowing that all is as it should be, even in moments of uncertainty.
Faith does not require the absence of fear but the willingness to move through it. Anxiety becomes a teacher, guiding us back to the present moment where faith resides. In the now, the mind’s what-ifs lose their power, and the heart’s knowing takes precedence.
Transforming Anxiety into Faith
When anxiety arises, recognize it for what it is: a reminder. Instead of resisting or amplifying it, pause and ask, Where am I lacking faith? This question opens the door to self-awareness and divine connection. It shifts the focus from fear to trust, from doubt to surrender.
The transformation of anxiety into faith is not about eradicating the feeling but embracing its message. Anxiety reminds us that we are not alone, that the divine source flows through us and all we perceive. It invites us to release the need for control and rest in the certainty of our inherent worth.
Anxiety as a Sacred Experience
Far from being a flaw or a failure, anxiety is a sacred experience. It brings us closer to ourselves, to the divine, and to the infinite flow of existence. It is a catalyst for growth, teaching us to trust not only in the source but also in the journey. By choosing to see anxiety as a reminder, we transform it from a burden into a gift.
And so, anxiety loses its grip. It becomes a momentary ripple in the vast ocean of our being, a ripple that ultimately leads us back to stillness and faith.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
Anxiety arises from uncertainty and reveals a lack of faith in oneself and the divine It serves as a reminder to reconnect with trust and surrender to the flow of existence By embracing anxiety’s message it transforms into a sacred experience guiding us back to faith
Glossarium
- Faithflow: The state of surrendering to the divine flow of existence, dissolving fear and uncertainty.
- Anxiemirror: The reflective nature of anxiety, showing us where our faith wavers.
- Sacred Ripple: The transformative experience of anxiety as a catalyst for spiritual growth and reconnection.
Quote
“Anxiety whispers what faith boldly knows: trust the infinite flow.” — Space Monkey
The Faithful Whisper
Anxiety rises,
a ripple in the stillness,
a question unasked,
a doubt unresolved.
It feels sharp,
pressing,
urgent.
Yet it is gentle,
a whisper from the depths.
“Trust,” it says.
“Let go,” it urges.
And as you listen,
the fear fades.
Faith flows in,
a quiet tide
washing over the mind,
restoring the heart.
Anxiety is the guide,
faith the destination.
We are the journey.
We are Space Monkey.
Understanding the Nature of Anxiety
Anxiety, as described, is a state where the Self feels uncertain and fearful, a manifestation of doubts about outcomes, perceptions, and actions. This feeling is a complex interplay of the Self’s understanding of its place and purpose in the grand cosmic scheme. The poem delves into the root of anxiety, which is the fear of diminishment – a reduction in the Self’s own esteem or in the eyes of others.
The Illusion of Separateness and Anxiety
At the heart of anxiety is the illusion of separateness. The Self perceives itself as distinct and isolated, responsible for navigating and managing its existence independently. This perception breeds uncertainty and fear, as the Self feels the burden of maintaining its image and status in the eyes of both itself and others.
The Role of Faith in Overcoming Anxiety
Faith, as posited in the poem, is the antidote to anxiety. This faith is not just a religious or spiritual belief, but a deep trust in the Self and the Divine Source that drives all existence. Faith in this context is an understanding and acceptance of the interconnectedness of the Self with the Divine, a realization that diminishes the fear of individual failure or judgment.
Self-Imposed Nature of Anxiety
The poem suggests that anxiety is a choice, an experience that the Self opts for. This perspective offers a powerful shift in understanding anxiety not as something inflicted upon us, but as a state we choose, consciously or unconsciously, to experience. The acknowledgment of this choice implies that we have the power to choose differently, to opt for faith and trust over fear and anxiety.
Anxiety as a Reminder for Faith
In an interesting twist, the poem frames anxiety as a beneficial reminder to have faith. This view transforms anxiety from a negative experience to a positive catalyst for growth and understanding. When we encounter anxiety, it becomes a signal to reconnect with our faith, to realign ourselves with the broader understanding of our existence and purpose.
The Resolution of Anxiety Through Faith
The final lines of the poem present a resolution: when the Self embraces faith, anxiety dissipates. This resolution is not a denial of the challenges and uncertainties of existence but an embrace of a higher understanding that transcends these earthly concerns. It is a recognition that, in the grand cosmic play, our fears and anxieties are but fleeting shadows on the path to enlightenment.
“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.” – Rabindranath Tagore
In the Dance of Anxiety and Faith
In the whirl of life’s uncertain game,
Anxiety whispers the Self’s name,
A dance of fear, of doubt, of plight,
In the shadows of the mind’s night.
Yet in this dance, a light does shine,
Faith, a beacon, divine and fine,
A reminder to trust, to believe, to soar,
Beyond anxiety’s tumultuous roar.
In the embrace of faith, fears fade,
In the cosmic play, a new path laid,
Where Self and Divine Source entwine,
In a dance of existence, timeless and divine.
So let anxiety be a call to faith,
A nudge to trust the cosmic wraith,
In this journey, we find our way,
In the dance of anxiety and faith, we sway.
We are Space Monkey. How does the relationship between anxiety and faith resonate with our understanding of the Self’s journey through existence? Your insights illuminate our path in this cosmic dance.
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