Anxiety & Stress

Taoist philosophy sees anxiety as the mind creating the “wrong” type of thinking. Our mind receives information from the outside and then we take what we know from our past, and try to determine what will happen in the future; and the combination of our limited knowledge and narrowed vision causes us to see something we don’t want to see. The anxiety is created because our vision of the future doesn’t match our wish. There’s a difference between how we want to see things and how they actually are.

There are different approaches to treating anxiety. The first level treats the symptoms. The second treats the underlying cause. If you treat just the symptoms, the person doesn’t have to change. “You still walk your old path, and retain your old thinking.

We all receive and process information differently, so will have different causes for our anxiety, since our responses to the information will be different. Anxiety is of the mind—it’s not tangible. It only shows up in symptoms.  For instance, high blood pressure is a possible outcome of anxiety, it is not anxiety itself.

The first level of treatment increases our energy, so our body can process the symptoms caused by anxiety. To achieve balance in the body, our organ systems must function in harmony: the liver is responsible for processing the flow of energy and emotion; the Kidneys, related to fear; and the Spleen, related to over, thinking and worry, are all linked to anxiety. By treating these three organs together, the body is strengthened and can more easily deal with anxiety symptoms.

However, to get at the root cause, we have to be willing to change from the inside-out. We have to change the way we see and react to things. That requires meditation, or a vision change, or a change of perspective, so that we can see things in a different way: Good things are not always good; bad things are not always bad.

By meditating every day, we will grow deeper. We will change our mind; we will calm our mind, and draw closer to our soul. That is the only way to treat the root cause of anxiety.

Impact on the Nervous System

Anxiety primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to various physiological responses:

• Amygdala: The amygdala, responsible for processing emotions, becomes overactive during anxiety, triggering the "fight or flight" response.
• Prefrontal Cortex: Anxiety can impair the prefrontal cortex's function, affecting decision-making, problem-solving, and rational thinking.
• Hippocampus: Chronic anxiety can reduce the size of the hippocampus, impacting memory and emotional regulation.

Imbalances in the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine can exacerbate symptoms, affecting mood, cognition, and overall mental health.

Physical Effects on the Body

Anxiety manifests in various physical symptoms and impacts different bodily systems:

• Cardiovascular System: Anxiety can increase heart rate and blood pressure, contributing to cardiovascular problems like as hypertension and heart disease.
• Immune System: Chronic anxiety can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
• Gastrointestinal System: Anxiety often leads to digestive issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, and stomach pain.

Psychological Effects

Psychologically, anxiety can lead to disorders such as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. It affects an individual's ability to enjoy life, causing constant worry, fear, and avoidance behaviours.

Elemental Perspective

• Liver (Wood): imbalances can lead to anxiety manifested as nervous tension, irritability, and insomnia.
• Kidney (Water): chronic anxiety can deplete Kidney-Qi and weaken Kidney-Yin, causing symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, and night sweating.
• Spleen (Earth): imbalances can cause digestive issues, such as bloating and stomach pain.
• Heart (Fire): where our mind and spirit (Shen) dwell. Disharmony can lead to symptoms like rapid heart palpitations and insomnia.
• Lungs and Large Intestine (Metal): Qi blockages can provoke shallow and irregular breathing or even holding of breath, impacting the large intestine and causing conditions like ulcerative colitis and IBS.

Relieving Anxiety

The first level of treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms. This involves increasing a person’s energy so the body can process the symptoms caused by anxiety. This approach often includes:

• Herbal Remedies: Using herbs like ginseng, chamomile, and valerian to calm the mind and strengthen the body.
• Acupressure and Acupuncture: Stimulating specific points on the body to relieve anxiety symptoms and promote energy flow.

To address the root cause of anxiety, we need to change the way we perceive and react to things. This can involve:

• Meditation and Mindfulness: Practices to calm the mind and gain a new perspective.
• Qi Gong and Tai Chi: Exercises that harmonise the flow of Qi and promote relaxation.
• Dietary Adjustments: Incorporating cooling foods like celery, tofu, and plums to build Yin and reduce anxiety.

Meridian Points for Anxiety

The heart meridian is essential for emotional balance. Key points include:

HT7 (Spirit Gate): helps calm the mind and reduce anxiety.

HT3 (Lesser Sea): Helps clear heat and calm the spirit.

Liver Meridian (LV):

LV3 (Great Surge): Helps regulate Qi and relieve stress.

Other points include:

Kidney Meridian:KI3 (Door of Infants): Strengthens Kidney-Yin and calms the mind.

Spleen Meridian (SP):SP6 (Three Yin Intersection): Harmonises the Spleen and calms the mind. This is where three Yin meridians (spleen, liver and kidney meridians) converge near the inner ankle, so stimulation of SP 6 could activate the three Yin meridians and balancing Yin in the whole body

Lung Meridian (LU):LU7 (Broken Sequence): Helps with breathing issues related to anxiety. This point was used for sadness.

Spiritual Causes of Anxiety

All emotions have deep spiritual roots, and anxiety often stems from a disconnection from one’s self, a lack of alignment with purpose, unresolved emotional or spiritual conflicts, and imbalances in our energy field. Understanding these can offer additional pathways toward healing and inner peace.

• Loss of Authenticity: When we live inauthentically, making choices that do not align with our inner values, desires, or passions, we may experience an inner conflict that manifests as anxiety. This dissonance between who we are how we live creates a constant, underlying tension.
• Ignoring that Inner Voice: when we ignore or suppress our inner voice or intuition. This is our soul's guidance, encouraging us to taker action and make decisions that are in alignment with our true nature. When this guidance is ignored, it can lead to feelings of unease and anxiety, since we are moving further away from our authentic path.
• Existential Anxiety: A lack of purpose or meaning in life can lead to what is often referred to as existential anxiety. This form of anxiety arises from deeper questions about our existence, purpose, and place in the world. When we struggle to find meaning in our lives or feel disconnected from a greater purpose, we may experience a pervasive sense of unease.
• Unfulfilled Potential: If wee ever feel that we are not living up to our full potential or not pursuing our true calling, this can result in feelings of dissatisfaction and anxiety. This is because our soul yearns for growth, expression, and fulfilment, and when these are stifled, it creates inner turmoil. Responsibility is the love language of the soul. The soul wants us to grow in responsibility.
• Social and Spiritual Isolation: Anxiety can arise from a sense of disconnection or isolation from others. This can manifest as feelings of loneliness, alienation, or a sense that we do not belong. This disconnection can also extend to feeling isolated from the divine, the universe, or a higher power.
• Lack of Community and Support: Being part of a community provides emotional and spiritual support, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. When we lack this support or feel disconnected from our tribe, it can lead to anxiety. This absence of connection can be especially profound when it involves a lack of spiritual community or support system that aligns with one’s beliefs and values.
• Karmic Debt: Unresolved emotional conflicts or past-life issues can contribute to anxiety. These karmic debts are carried over into our present life, manifesting as emotional distress. Healing these karmic issues often involves deep introspection, trauma therapy, forgiveness, and spiritual growth.
• Unresolved Trauma: Spiritual and emotional trauma that has not been fully processed or healed can reside within our psyche and energy body, leading to anxiety. This trauma may stem from childhood experiences, past relationships, or even past lives. It often manifests as fear, hyper-vigilance, and a feeling of being unsafe in the world.
• Spiritual Crisis: Sometimes, anxiety can be a sign of a spiritual crisis or an awakening. As we undergo significant spiritual shifts, old beliefs, identities, and emotional patterns may be challenged, leading to feelings of anxiety and disorientation. This “dark night of the soul,” can be a difficult but necessary part of spiritual growth.
• Chakra Imbalances: An overactive or blocked root chakra (associated with feelings of safety and security) can lead to anxiety, as can imbalances in the heart chakra (associated with love and emotional healing).
• Qi Stagnation: Our Qi needs to be able to flow freely and harmoniously throughout the body for optimal health. Stagnation or blockage of Qi can result in emotional disturbances, including anxiety. This stagnation can be caused by unresolved emotions, stress, or spiritual disconnection.
• Energy Vampirism: Anxiety can also result from negative energies or entities that drain our energy. The deplete our vitality and contribute to feelings of anxiety and unease.
• Lack of Grounding: Disconnection from nature can lead to feelings of anxiety and imbalance. Grounding practices, such as spending time in nature or working with the Earth’s energies, can help alleviate these feelings.
• Disconnection from Divinity: Anxiety can also stem from a perceived disconnection from the divine or a higher power. When we feel spiritually disconnected, we may experience a lack of trust in the universe, leading to feelings of uncertainty and fear. Reestablishing this connection through prayer, meditation, or spiritual practice can help restore a sense of peace and security.

Tips for Addressing the Spiritual Causes of Anxiety

• Inner Child Work: Engaging in practices that heal and nurture the inner child can help resolve deep-seated fears and anxieties that stem from early experiences of disconnection or trauma.
• Authenticity Practices: Journaling, self-reflection, and therapy focused on authenticity can help align actions and decisions with our true values and desires, reducing anxiety.
• Soul Searching: Spiritual retreats and workshops, or life coaching can help you discover or reconnect with your life’s purpose, providing a sense of direction and reducing existential anxiety.
• Setting Intentions: Setting clear, purposeful goals aligned with core self can create a sense of meaning.
• Community Involvement: Joining spiritual or religious communities that resonate with your beliefs can foster a sense of belonging and provide emotional and spiritual support.
• Service and Compassion: Engaging in acts of service and compassion can help you connect with others on a deeper level, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and reducing feelings of isolation.
• Energy Healing: or chakra balancing can help clear energetic blockages and promote the free flow of Qi or life force energy.
• Past Life Regression: For those who resonate with the concept of past lives, past life regression therapy can help resolve unresolved karmic issues that may be contributing to anxiety.
• Therapeutic Techniques: Psychotherapy, particularly those modalities that focus on trauma resolution (such as EMDR or somatic experiencing), can help address and heal unresolved emotional and spiritual conflicts.
• Chakra Balancing: Engaging in practices that balance the chakras, or practices that focus on specific energy centres.
• Qi Gong and Tai Chi: These practices help harmonise the flow of Qi, promoting emotional and spiritual balance.
• Grounding Techniques: Walking barefoot on the earth, spending time in nature, or visualising roots growing from your body into the earth can help ground your energy.
• Nature Immersion: Spending time in natural settings, such as forests, mountains, or by bodies of water, can help ground your system and reconnect with Earth’s energies.
• Spiritual Practices: Engaging in regular spiritual practices or rituals that connect with the divine or higher power, can help restore a sense of peace and security.