In looking at anxiety, we need to look beyond the symptoms, cognitive/behavioral interventions, and even psychological exploration to the spiritual and existential realms if we are to truly understand it. What is it about our human condition that causes so many of us to be anxious, fearful, or depressed? I believe these states are a phase of the journey to discovering who we are supposed to be. This belief has taken the judgment out of my feelings—about myself and about my clients. That's why I like to refer to anxiety as existential. It is a part of our existence. It is the doorway through which all must eventually pass.
I believe we are fundamentally anxious because we have lost touch with who we really are: souls on a journey of self-realization. In order to realize ourselves, we have to move through fear—the unknown, death, or at least the fear of annihilation itself. Life presents us with opportunities to explore these fears and to move past them. Anxiety, in this sense, is an excellent and compelling opportunity to look at who we really are and what we're doing here. It is a very loud knock on our door, hard to ignore, inviting us to look at who we are as personalities and energetic beings moving through this experience that we call life.
What are we really afraid of?
What are the consequences of moving through that fear?
What are the consequences of staying in that fear?
In other words, what do we have to gain or lose by discovering our deepest identity?
Everyone will discover their own answers to these questions. I don't believe there is only one answer—perhaps there are millions of variations of the one truth. My personal answer has been that looking at my life and my experience through a spiritual lens has brought me perspective and peace. Everything that happens to me can be related to my purpose, which is TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT MYSELF FOR MYSELF. This realization of my purpose has been a serious pursuit since youth. I encourage everyone to make an attempt to discover their purpose. Make sure it's the grand purpose, not just one in a series of small purposes. What purpose can you believe in that all actions, all experiences can be folded into and still make sense?
In further discussions, I will explore Will and its role in discovering our true purpose.
