Buddhism for anxiety

[Ell452]

Can anyone point me in right direction pls? I suffer badly with anxiety to the point I drive myself crazy with thoughts, my relationships are suffering. I have tried mediation in past but to be honest didn’t stick to it. I want to try again

I used to suffer from terrible anxiety, meds coming out my ears. The only thing that helped was Jesus. Praying for you x

@K1999 thank you. I would really appreciate if you could say a prayer for me x

Sorry if this isn't helpful but writing/typing down your thoughts and getting them out there can sometimes help? I find it hard to actually speak to people about everything that Is on overdrive in my mind so writing can be a good outlet sometimes. It's not a miracle cure but it can help. I also suffer with anxiety, I wouldn't wish anyone to suffer with anxiety as it's absolutely horrible.
I do know some people who have downloaded meditation apps to try and calm them and ease their anxiety and they have said it has helped them
I hope you're feeling better and find something that helps soon

@Hayb24 thank you. I will look into the apps x

Hi Ell, I replied to your other thread a while ago, but just thinking you should call your GP? They will be able to offer you support to get you through this difficult time you're experiencing.

Prayers and God bless.

@Keyperfect - thank you for replying. I have had counselling in the past but I think it’s my nature to be so anxious. I will contact my GP if I feel worse. Thank you x

I will say a prayer for you of course! God bless

@Ell452 Buddhism is not necessarily a cure for anxiety but it can absolutely help and change your life.

As a well known Buddhist said ‘you can meditate without being Buddhist, but you can’t be Buddhist without meditation’.

So first, download a good meditation app. A secular one such as Headspace or a Buddhist one such as plum village.

Also you could look up Buddhist books - anything by Thich Naht Hanh (he is a well renowned and very wise Buddhist monk), he does books on mindfulness and breathing and life and love and everything else, he is the real deal too.

You could download AudioDharma another free App which will teach you everything you need of the Path, Dharma and also it has loads of meditations too. The early ones really explain how to get in position for meditation and that helps too.

If you are interested in books then What the Buddha taught by Walpola Rahula is a great introduction to Buddhism. Facebook wise Buddhism U.K. has great resources.

I think that gives you enough to be getting on with. Just take it your own pace and question everything, it’s very much a philosophy and Buddha encouraged all learnings to be tested and disproven, and not taken as fact without this.

All Buddhist Sangha are now online due to the virus so you will be able to access meditations, chanting, dharma, metta (sending loving kindness).

So typical that the first response is from someone trying to push Christianity. Have a bit of fucking respect. OP asked about Buddhism. Stop trying to shoehorn Jesus into everything.

Or you could try yoga , the breath control is amazing for anxiety

@K1999

What has jesus got to do with Buddhism?

I can HIGHLY recommend Buddhist teacher Jonathan Foust. He gives dharma talks, leads meditations, podcasts, etc. Here's one on anxiety - he is lovely to listen to - very calming.

Try listening to Ajahn Brahm. He has talks on anxiety. Type his name and anxiety into google or U tube.