{"id":13416,"date":"2013-03-29T22:36:34","date_gmt":"2013-03-30T06:36:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=13416"},"modified":"2013-03-29T22:36:34","modified_gmt":"2013-03-30T06:36:34","slug":"how-to-turn-worry-into-an-ally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-turn-worry-into-an-ally\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Turn Worry into an Ally"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

<\/p>\n

Imagine what it must have been like when humans discovered that we could avert disaster by predicting possible future events\u2026<\/p>\n

For example, being able to predict that we need food during winter lead to us learn how to store grain, can fruits and vegetables, and create other life saving measures.<\/p>\n

Today you can use this same ability to predict possible threats to your child\u2019s safety or even to predict fluctuations in the stock market to protect your money.<\/p>\n

But what happens when the power to imagine future events causes you think incessantly about possible negative outcomes?\u00a0 What happens when this amazing faculty turns into \u201cworry?\u201d <\/b><\/p>\n

Worry is like a dog chasing its tail.<\/p>\n

We worry about our health, the environment, the government, and our loved ones.\u00a0 We even worry about whether or not we\u2019re good enough, happy enough, or fulfilled enough. We get lost in mental dramas and envision negative outcomes.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s endless and we don\u2019t have nearly as much fun as the dog does.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the upside to worry\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n

Understanding what causes you to worry points to a deeper truth about the nature of your being.<\/i><\/p>\n

Let me demonstrate\u2026<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a wonderful story about a wise man who upon his death meets God at the pearly gates.<\/p>\n

God says, \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d and the wise man replies, \u201cI Am.\u201d\u00a0 God says, \u201cGo Away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Confused, the wise man decides that he needs more meditation. So he leaves and meditates for a long time until he, at last, reaches enlightenment.<\/p>\n

When he returns God says, \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d the wise man again replies, \u201cI Am.\u201d \u00a0\u201cGo Away\u201d says God.<\/p>\n

So the wise man meditates some more and comes back a third time. \u00a0God says, \u201cWho\u2019s there.\u201d This time the wise man replies, \u201cYou Are.\u201d And the heavenly gates swing open.<\/p>\n

Everything that you are attached too, that is, all of the things that you identify yourself with\u2026 your job, cultural background, your kids\u2026are all keeping you from realizing your true nature (God, Self, Atman, Buddha Nature, and so on) .\u00a0 The more you worry, the more attached you are.<\/b><\/p>\n

So the next time you find yourself worrying, all you need to know are two things:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. That this is amazing faculty to imagine the future and possible outcomes is out of balance.\u00a0 Through recognizing this you will become less attached and distracted by worry.<\/li>\n
  2. That worry is showing you what your attachments are; what you need to let go of in order to be free.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So you don\u2019t need to waste your time trying to release worry, you only need to understand it.<\/p>\n

    The great Sufi poet and mystic, Rumi writes, \u201cThe dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door [of your heart] laughing, and invite them in.\u00a0 Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.\u201d (From, \u201cThe Guest House\u201d).<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u00a0Krista Magidson has been teaching people how to enrich their lives with guided meditation, visualization, relaxation, and mindfulness techniques since 2001. She is the author of three guided meditation CD\u2019s including, \u201cGuided Meditation for Relaxation and Inner Peace.\u201d\u00a0 Presently, she is the meditation instructor at the Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living, co-founder of Sanctuary of Peace Ministries, co-chair for the Peace Makers Gathering and Unity Breakfast, and was recently named \u201cLay Woman of the Year,\u201d by the South Coast Interfaith Council. She has been happily married since 1997 and is the mother of two children. To learn more visit: http:\/\/www.kristamagidson.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    But what happens when the power to imagine future events causes you think incessantly about possible negative outcomes? What happens when this amazing faculty turns into \u201cworry?\u201d Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":13418,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[205,6],"tags":[4642,4641,66,4629,274,4640,2172],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Turn Worry into an Ally - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"But what happens when the power to imagine future events causes you think incessantly about possible negative outcomes? 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