The 4 Stages of Freedom from Anxiety

All of us yearn to be at ease in our present moment experience, yet so few us are—despite outward appearances to the contrary.

Just about everybody you come across is wrestling with some degree of anxiety; some form of disease with their experience of the present moment.

Such is the fundamental human dysfunction, the one that all others are based on.

The anxiety comes in a plethora of forms—but all, ALL surround a perceived lack (or loss) of something that will provide (or provides) a perceived amount of greater ease.

We internally declare: “If I had (insert missing thing) then I’d be (insert feeling, usually happy).”

Could be more money or success.

More confidence.

Spiritual attainment or fill in the blank attainment.

Freedom from some emotional or childhood issue.

Better health.

Better social status.

Better physical appearance.

Whatever it is, something isn’t (according to you) sufficient and that deficiency prevents you from feeling totally at ease right here, right now.

And that’s fine.

Life is a journey where we move from illusion to knowledge of truth. Anxious to at ease. Heart closed to heart open. Stifled to flowing freely. Busy to still. Needy to fulfilled. Externally oriented to internally oriented. Effort to effortlessness. Doing to being.

This is all happening on the level of consciousness and the degree to which anxiety is felt, directly relates to the level of truth we have realized and thus the level of our consciousness. This is why Kierkegaard once wrote, “Anxiety is the beginning of freedom.”

As you see in the above chart, there are 4 major stages of this journey (and keep in mind that each stage has micro stages of progression as well).

Stage 1 - Complete Ignorance

This one is interesting. If you know somebody here, she may appear to be in a later stage because she can be bubbly, easy and outgoing, seems to connect well with others, and appears to be care free with no anxiety.

However, spend time with this person and will you begin to perceive the anxiety beneath the surface. It is not felt due to the individual’s unconsciousness, except perhaps in the presence of somebody in a later stage who sees the anxiety and reflects it back.

She has no knowledge of truth. She has not yet had a glimpse of the great mystery behind the scenes and is vaguely aware of her inner world.

Ignorance is indeed bliss in this stage.

Stage 2 - Beginning to Awaken

As the anxiety, this great disease, begins to work its way to the surface to be released (as all things unnatural do), it becomes felt. The person in this stage realizes his heart is closed, as he has difficulty relating to the world in an authentic way—this is frustrating.

So he starts to gets spiritual or something like it.

He will have read spiritually-oriented books and may sit in meditation for lengthy periods of time, do yoga, and practice all kinds of spiritual rituals, prayers, and so on.

However, his learning is purely intellectual at this point and comes from a place of “doing to get.” The commitment to change is strong but fundamental change in the consciousness has yet to be realized.

It’s an awkward stage to be in.

Stage 3 - Awakening

She is starting to “get it” but still has a long way to go.

At this point, she has done some serious inner work, perhaps many years’ worth. Truth is becoming realized, i.e., made real in her experience—she has gone beyond intellectual understanding.

Instead of understanding the concept that everything is perfect as is, she lives in it—it is written on her character. In this way she avoids a large percentage of the anxiety she used to feel and no longer blames anybody or anything for perceived shortcomings in her life.

Instead of working to satisfy her own needs, she works to satisfy the needs of others, as she has realized this is where true fulfillment is found.

Instead of understanding she is divine, she starts acting like it.

She walks in a great deal of faith. However, she is still learning and so the heart ping pongs between open and closed—at times, she flows freely and at others, she is stifled and lives out of her head. Anxiety felt shifts accordingly.

This is the last stop before full realization of truth.

Stage 4 - Living Smile

Full knowledge of truth has been realized. Heart is wide open. Anxiety is no longer present. Full human potential has been unlocked.

Ramana Maharshi did it.

Paramahansa Yogananda.

Sri Amritanandamayi.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Robert Adams.

Buddha.

So many others.

Beings in this stage have no needs. Love and kindness oozes from their pores and they are a joy to be in the presence of. Their lives are lived effortlessly, usually in service to humanity, in a miraculous tapestry of beauty and bliss.

Progression throughout this journey will be determined on your level of commitment and sincere desire for truth.

And just as the acorn is an oak tree, so to are we living smiles.

To download a copy of the chart above as a Keynote presentation, click here. Feel free to use.