In Hinduism, we are taught to meditate to a point at which
we become witness (sakshi) to our own thoughts. It is part of gnana
marga to merge with the divine. A
witness is an observer and a reporter. He does not judge. At that level, the
mind is the subject and, also an object of perception. The idea is to reach a
point at which there is only the Subject.
Buddhism expanded on it and applied it to living in this
world. Starting with Buddha himself, Buddhist monks developed methods to deal
with human feelings, emotions and “mental formations”. They said “when feelings
arise, just observe them without judgement . Do not fight them. Do not get
carried away by them either”. That is being a witness to our thoughts, but with
a different purpose.
Buddhist teachings advise us to acknowledge the feelings and
emotions. Instead of fleeing from them, name them, experience them without
judgment, and even embrace them. If you do so, you realize that “you are not
afraid”, but “fear is in you”. You are able to see fear as apart from you. You
are able to see that fear is not controlling you but that you are in control of
fear by observing it, naming it and looking at it as a witness rather than as a
participant.
Behavioral psychologists have started using this approach.
In fact, I heard Mr. Tristan Harris say the same solution in dealing with
social media which control our lives. He says: “Instead of saying I am a
victim”, take the approach “I am being victimized”. That may or may not be
true, but makes you think differently. Who is in control?
Guided meditation exercises which teach us how to deal with our
emotions and feelings, accepting their presence without judgment will be
helpful in dealing with emotions such as fear, anxiety, sadness etc. Living
without fear, anxiety, anger is a bliss by itself.
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