Not Worrying and Living in the Present

Bekenze

I worry a lot. Too much. When things aren't going bad, I always assume they'll turn out bad. How could I apply practical Buddhism to help me overcome my constant worrying?

Thanks.

taiyaki

Be with your worrying. Watch it change just like everything else.

worrying > fear > caring > love

vinlyn

I worry a lot. Too much. When things aren't going bad, I always assume they'll turn out bad. How could I apply practical Buddhism to help me overcome my constant worrying?

Thanks.

I know the feeling well! When I catch myself doing that, particularly in regard to things like health, I try to be mindful and think back to other "crises". Rarely in life does a worst case scenario occur, though neither do best case scenarios. But I find that somewhat reassuring, because I can usually handle the "in the middle" stuff.

patbb

practically, maybe try this:

change your focus from the subject of your worry (whatever imaginary scenario) to what is actually happening in reality in your life at this very moment.
which is, the sensation of worry.
look at that sensation inside,
where is it?
what is it doing?
how big is it.

Sabre

Meditate more, be more in the present moment. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. In the present moment there is no worry, because there is no future in the mind. To do this, it will be helpful to realize that the future is unpredictable and will never turn out the way you think.

Hope this will help you a bit.

With metta,
Sabre

genkaku

A small exercise is this: In an attentive moment, breathe in. With the same attentiveness, breathe out. Do this three times, carefully and quietly. At the last of the third expiration, smile.

Repeat as necessary.

RichardH

practically, maybe try this:

change your focus from the subject of your worry (whatever imaginary scenario) to what is actually happening in reality in your life at this very moment.
which is, the sensation of worry.
look at that sensation inside,
where is it?
what is it doing?
how big is it.

I remember as a kid, in the midst of family trauma, withdrawing into a corner somewhere and crying and grieving... crying and grieving.. then I came to the edge of the feeling..... and noticed that it did not fill all space and all time. ...and beyond it was a peace I never new before. At first I thought ... "Hold on this aint right.. I should be upset" and juiced my thoughts to get upset again... but then, again.. the feeling showed itself as a finite thing..

Just made me think of that.

seeker242

I worry a lot. Too much. When things aren't going bad, I always assume they'll turn out bad. How could I apply practical Buddhism to help me overcome my constant worrying?

Thanks.

It seems to me, by training your mind with meditation to stop giving these ideas attention. Attention on ideas like this could be called "inappropriate attention" I think. You overcome worrying by practicing the overcoming of worrying by returning to the breath in meditation practice. By developing skill in concentration.

patbb

I remember as a kid, in the midst of family trauma, withdrawing into a corner somewhere and crying and grieving... crying and grieving.. then I came to the edge of the feeling..... and noticed that it did not fill all space and all time. ...and beyond it was a peace I never new before. At first I thought ... "Hold on this aint right.. I should be upset" and juiced my thoughts to get upset again... but then, again.. the feeling showed itself as a finite thing..

Just made me think of that.

your post made me remember something as well.
(not really relevant to this thread but whatever )

I think i was 4 years old.
my dad mom (my grandmother) just died.
we were sitting in the car after the funerals.

My dad at the wheel, my mom on the passenger seat.
My sister on my left and brother on my right on the back seat.

My dad just got choked up, and started crying before leaving to go back home.
So everyone else started crying, everyone.

Except me.

I remember sitting there, thinking that i should be sad, i should be crying, but im not.
I try to force myself to cry, but it wasn't working at all.

That was a weird moment.

Dakini

Tell yourself that the worry is your mind playing tricks on you. The worry has no basis in reality, when it comes during calm times. Start a gratitude journal, and record one thing every day that you have to be thankful for, even if you don't think there is anything to be thankful for. Even if you think life sucks. This exercise helps re-train the mind to focus on the positive. Over time, it works.

The worry is a mental habit. You've established a habitual pattern (you've set up neural pathways). The mind can be re-trained (you can create new neural pathways). The first step is being mindful of your thought patterns. You've taken this step already, good for you! The next step is, when you notice that you're in a needless worry pattern, consciously substitute other thoughts. Tell yourself everything's fine, and find something positive to think about; the spring weather, bright plans for the future, whatever. Change doesn't come overnight, but with dedicated practice, it does come.

Zero

Oh soul, you worry too much.
You say, I make you feel dizzy.
Of a little headache then,why do you worry?
You say, I am your antelope.
Of seeing a lion here and there why do you worry?

Oh soul, you worry too much.
You say, I am your moon-faced beauty.
Of the cycles of the moon and passing of the years, why do you worry?
You say, I am your source of passion, I excite you.
Of playing into the Devils hand,why do you worry?

Oh soul,you worry too much.
Look at yourself, what you have become.
You are now a field of sugar canes, why show that sour face to me?
You have tamed the winged horse of Love.
Of a death of a donkey, why do you worry?
You say that I keep you warm inside. then why this cold sigh?
You have gone to the roof of heavens.
Of this world of dust, why do you worry?

Oh soul,you worry too much.
Since you met me, you have become a master singer,
and are now a skilled wrangler, you can untangle any knot.
Of life's little leash why do you worry?
Your arms are heavy with treasures of all kinds.
About poverty, why do you worry?
You are Joseph, beautiful, strong, steadfast in your belief, all of Egypt has become drunk because of you.
Of those who are blind to your beauty, and deaf to your songs, why do you worry?

Oh soul, you worry too much.
You say that your housemate is the Heart of Love, she is your best friend. You say that you are the heat of the oven of every Lover.
You say that you are the servant of Ali's magical sword, Zolfaghar.
Of any little dagger why do you still worry?

Oh soul, you worry too much.
You have seen your own strength.
You have seen your own beauty.
You have seen your golden wings.
Of anything less, why do you worry?
You are in truth the soul, of the soul, of the soul.
You are the security, the shelter of the spirit of Lovers.
Oh the sultan of sultans, of any other king, why do you worry?

Be silent, like a fish, and go into that pleasant sea.
You are in deep waters now, of life's blazing fire.
Why do you worry?

patbb

The worry is a mental habit. You've established a habitual pattern (you've set up neural pathways). The mind can be re-trained (you can create new neural pathways). The first step is being mindful of your thought patterns. You've taken this step already, good for you! The next step is, when you notice that you're in a needless worry pattern, consciously substitute other thoughts. Tell yourself everything's fine, and find something positive to think about; the spring weather, bright plans for the future, whatever. Change doesn't come overnight, but with dedicated practice, it does come.

nicely put!

SeaOfTranquility

Hi Bekenze,

You have actually identified the problem and the solution.

When negative thoughts and feelings arise, know they are impermanent. Like clouds in the sky. All things will pass.

In meditation we practice paying attention and letting go. It this way we learn to stop habitual behavior like making up stories about ourselves in the future and the past.

Best Wishes