Anxiety & Stress
How does Sikhism helps one calm anxiety, relieves stress and feel inner contentment?
When one reads Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, (Sikh Holy scripture) he understands this world which helps him get rid of all anxiety and stress. Gurbani helps one feel calm and attain a state of peace. Stress mostly arises due to financial and/or family problems. Sikhism helps one cope with these issues with meditation. Sikhism instructs not to be too attached to this world as it is a temporary place.
One day we will all perish and leave all our possessions behind. Your wealth, your spouse and everything you posses, which you think as of your own, Guru Nanak says, the truth is that none of them shall go along with you at the time of your death. Mortal views this world as his own, but nothing here belongs to him. Mortal’s consciousness dwindles all the time because of money.
Among millions is the one, who actually remembers God. Materialistic things are of no use when you die; you should lead your life without any worries and concentrate on the meditation of God. The fifth Guru, Guru Arjun Dev Ji writes, “O mind, why do you plot and plan? Dear Lord Himself provides for you. He has created living creatures in rocks and provides nourishment for them” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 10)..
Consider this world just like a dream. Guru Nanak says, tell your conscience that all mortals are created in this world just like ripples on the water, who comes in existence and fade away all the time. Guru Nanak says, nothing in this world is yours. You should be worried if death was to wipe only you. But this is the condition everyone in this whole world has to face, no one is stable here. The one who has taken birth has to die; everyone has to perish. Guru Nanak says, this is the time to sing praises of Lord and give up all entanglements and lead a simple and happy life, which is free of complications.
Way to meet God and attain salvation
Sikhism introduced a very simple and effective way to meet God. Sikhism instructs that you do not have to fast, abstain, go on renunciation or enter a monastery in order to meet the Lord. All you have to do is have faith, recite the Name of God and remember Him for each possible moment. Th Sikh Gurus got married and lived a family life and showed everyone that you can meet God while in this social structure. Furthermore, Guru Ji said that your mind has to be detached from this world, you have to look this world as a temporary place, you will not be here forever, one day you will have to die. You do not have to detach from this world physically, you can lead a normal family life and still be able to meet God.
God is the savior of sinners. He is the destroyer of fear, eradicator of evil-mindedness and the protector of every orphan. Nanak says, He always resides near you, make an attempt to know Him. Immerse your mind in Him, just like the fish in the water and you shall not be caught in the cycle of birth and death again. Always recite the One, by reciting whom you attain salvation. Salvation is attained only by reciting the name of God. Your dignity lies in merging in the one whom you originated from. Nanak says, tell your conscience to recite the name of Lord, and you shall be able to meet Him.
The one who is not affected by happiness, pain, greed, emotional attachment and egotistical pride. The one who is beyond praise and slander, and treats iron and gold alike. The one who is not touched by pain or pleasure, and treats his friends and enemies alike. The one who does not terrorize anyone and neither is afraid of anybody. The one who leaves all the materialistic things, renounces wealth and have detached himself from this world. The one who recites the name of God day and night, Nanak says, that person is the one who knows what is salvation, that person becomes spiritually aware, that is the person whose future is bright.
