Anxiety looks forward and depression looks backward. This is true regardless of someone's dosha. Depression and feelings of failure or being unloved are related to the past: an experience, a lack of accomplishment, an expectation that wasn't fulfilled, evaluations of our previous experiences with other individuals. Anxiety is related to what might happen in the future: dangers that might befall us, failures that could happen, fear of the unknown.
What is most important to everyone is the moment that we have right now. There is no moment more important than the one you find yourself in right now. Through meditation, we can learn how to train our minds to focus on the present moment and decrease the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Walking meditation is particularly helpful in these cases, because physical movement brings the individual out of their head and into their body. To practice walking meditation, take a walk in any pleasant location. Walk at a comfortable pace; no power-walking! As you were walking, practice keeping your attention only on the things that surround you in the present moment: your breath, the feel of the breeze, the sights and smells, the sounds that you may hear. When you notice your mind wandering, and it will, gently bring your attention back to the present moment. Over time, it will become easier to focus on the present and it will become less of a habit to constantly look forward or backward.
It is not my intention here in recommending meditation to belittle anxiety and depression symptoms, or to suggest that medications for these conditions are not necessary. It is my intention to raise awareness about the root causes of anxiety and depression in a way that will result in a greater mainstream conversation about these topics. Anxiety and depression can be crippling. It is time for us to bring these conditions out into the open and free those suffering from the additional burden of feeling shame about their condition.
What is most important to everyone is the moment that we have right now. There is no moment more important than the one you find yourself in right now. Through meditation, we can learn how to train our minds to focus on the present moment and decrease the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Walking meditation is particularly helpful in these cases, because physical movement brings the individual out of their head and into their body. To practice walking meditation, take a walk in any pleasant location. Walk at a comfortable pace; no power-walking! As you were walking, practice keeping your attention only on the things that surround you in the present moment: your breath, the feel of the breeze, the sights and smells, the sounds that you may hear. When you notice your mind wandering, and it will, gently bring your attention back to the present moment. Over time, it will become easier to focus on the present and it will become less of a habit to constantly look forward or backward.
It is not my intention here in recommending meditation to belittle anxiety and depression symptoms, or to suggest that medications for these conditions are not necessary. It is my intention to raise awareness about the root causes of anxiety and depression in a way that will result in a greater mainstream conversation about these topics. Anxiety and depression can be crippling. It is time for us to bring these conditions out into the open and free those suffering from the additional burden of feeling shame about their condition.