Overcoming Anxiety, Stress and Fear Applied Spirituality from the Bhagavad-gita As It Is By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder/Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

There are legitimate reasons for stress . . .

Three Steps to an Anxiety-free Life 1. Stop Stress Ingestion 2. Work Out at the “Why?” 3. Patrol ‘Control’

1. Stop Stress Ingestion Men fed upon carnage, and drinking strong drinks, have all an impoisoned and arid blood which drives them mad in a hundred different ways. Voltaire (1694-1778)

What’s in That Happy Meal? Fear Hormones Antibiotics Dead Flesh

Does Eating Meat Affect You? Studies made of domestic farm animals (cattle, pigs and poultry), and of laboratory animals (dogs and rats) show in all cases elevated levels of steroid hormones, generally associated with adrenocortical secretions. Primary substances include adrenalin, cortisone-like secretions, and steroids which stimulate fear pheromone production. All of these are known to result in poor health and poor vitality. This study confirms this link in food consumed by humans. Irwin H. Putzkoff, PhD, MD

What’s In an Anxiety-Free Diet? Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one's existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart. Bhagavad-gita 7.19

2. Work Out at the “Why”

Why Do You Do What You Do? Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Note that self-actualization is above all others. Stress results from unfulfilled needs.

The Results of What You Do: The result of pious action is pure and is said to be in the mode of goodness. But action done in the mode of passion results in misery, and action performed in the mode of ignorance results in foolishness. Bhagavad-gita 14.16

Action in the mode of passion…

Three Types of Action Ignorance (for gross bodily demands) Temporarily obscures stress. Animalistic. Passion (for material gain and recognition) Increases stress. Egoistic. Goodness (for understanding and love) Leads to stress reduction. Wise.

Which Mode Best Describes You? Goodness? Passion? Ignorance?

Is Passion Ever Appropriate? Yes! Take immediate action for: Fire, disease. debt, and (They get worse by neglect!)

To Rise To Goodness: Eat Vegetarian Avoid Intoxicants Spend Time In Nature Look for Like-minded Friends Sleep Early and Rise Early Think About Your Life Meditate

Gita 3/28 “One who is in knowledge of the Absolute Truth, does not engage himself in the senses and sense gratification, knowing well the differences between work in devotion and work for fruitive results.” • 8,400,000 life forms Class C, B, & A in prison house

3. Patrol ‘Control’ “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.” To relieve anxiety and fear, consider what you can and can’t control. There are stressful situations we can’t control …

Gita 7/37 Gita 13/21 “I am the controller, and I am the enjoyer.” Purusha sukha dukhanam Bhoktrve hetuh ucyate The living entity is the cause of the various sufferings & enjoyment in this world.”

… and there are stress-causing situations I cause for myself.

Who Is In Control? The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature. Bhagavad-gita, 3.27

You can control your position in the modes of nature. One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman. Bhagavad-gita 14.26

Why service to Krishna? Serving your Creator has no self-centered motivation at all. Thus such action is above ignorance, passion and even goodness.

Search for Purpose Wrong starting point What do I want. What will make me happy? My goals, my dreams, my ambitions. Self help no help, self sacrifice

Two options Speculation or Revelation Hugh Morehead Creator & Owners Manual Krishna planned your life without your input Don’t get to choose your purpose Couldn’t be anything you want.

Gita 8/28 A person who accept the path of devotional service is not bereft of the results derived from studying the Vedas, performing austere sacrifices, giving charity or pursuing philosophical and fruitive activities. At the end, he reaches the supreme abode.

How to serve Lord Krishna?

Dear Krishna, You know the losses, the hurts and the pains I've experienced in my life. I recognize these have caused me undue anxiety because of putting myself in the center and not you. I’ve tried to fulfill my selfish purpose and not yours. Today, I want to take steps of trust. I want to learn to know and love You, to worship You. I want to start fulfilling the first purpose of my life by getting to know You. And trust You as the Supreme Controller. I need Your wisdom and strength so I can sleep at night. I surrender my future completely to You. I want to trust You, Krishna with every area of my life.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama Rama Rama, Hare Hare