Explaining Stress with 4 Points

Thank you for asking the question very well today. Stress is a problem that almost everyone suffers from. However, few understand where this stress comes from, why it is happening, and how to solve it. I want to explain with 4 points today. These 4 points are very simple, but once understood, it is certain that you will be able to handle and solve stress in your life.

Point (1) – Stress is a Mind Product

The first thing to understand is that stress is produced by the mind. Why? Because the Mind leads everything. Every thing that happens in our life is led first by the mind, and then thoughts appear. That thought can produce both good and bad. Therefore, stress does not come directly from outside. Your own mind is giving you stress.

Let me give an example. You have a deadline at work. That deadline is actually just time. But as soon as your mind considers, "What happens if I don't finish? Will I get fired?", stress begins to arise. So, that stress is not because of the deadline; it happened because your mind thought about that and produced it.

That is why I always say, "Mind leads everything; Thought is the work of the Mind (Mind Product)." That thought can be chosen with Mindfulness. If you decide with mindfulness, "I will not think this thought anymore; I will do what I can right now," stress reduces. Therefore, Mindfulness is key. If you know how to look at your mind with mindfulness, if you know how to choose thoughts, stress will no longer occur.

Point (2) – Stress is an Emotional Reaction

The second point is that Stress is an emotional reaction. This is because due to pressure, we resist, and that leads to tension and stress.

Let me explain. Sights always enter our life. Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching, thinking—these are Receiving. After that, we do Responding. In that response, three things are involved: Perception (Thought), Feeling (Emotion), and Volition (Reaction).

For example, you are driving on the road. A car in front cuts in suddenly. Then you get angry, "No, what is this guy doing?" That is pressure. You resist that pressure. "This person is wrong, he is disturbing me," and tension arises in the mind. That tension becomes stress.

But if you think with mindfulness, "Hmm, maybe this person couldn't control his speed; he isn't intentionally disturbing me," you do not resist anymore. Then there is no tension, and stress does not occur. Therefore, stress is not because of pressure; it happens because your mind resists.

Point (3) – Because of Stress, Struggle Happens

The third point is that because of stress, we struggle. This is a very important point. Why? Because stress makes us always struggle with something.

Let me tell you. We know that "Life is a struggle". This is truly correct. Why? Because we have expectations. We are expecting, "My life should be like this, I should have this." However, reality is not the same as expectation. So, a gap forms between expectation and reality. Because of that gap, stress arises and we have to struggle.

For example, you expect, "My son must be good at studies." But the son is not good at studies. Then you become stressed. "Why is this happening? What should I do?" and you have to struggle. That is happening because there is a gap between expectation and reality.

Therefore, I want to say that struggle in life is natural, but if you want to reduce struggle, you must reduce expectation. Acceptance is important. If you consider, "Hmm, it is happening like this; I will accept it; what can I do in the present?", the struggle decreases.

Point (4) – If You Struggle, Stress Becomes Worse

The fourth point is that if you struggle, stress becomes worse. This is a very important lesson. Why? Because the more we struggle, the more stress increases.

I will explain. You are striving, "I don't want stress to exist." That is struggle. You are resisting the stress. Thus, stress increases. Because the thought "I don't want stress" causes more stress. Just thinking "I can't sleep" makes you sleep even less.

Therefore, I want to say, do not struggle. Relax. Release. "Hmm, stress is present; I will accept it; I will note the in-breath and out-breath," and stay stable in the present. If so, there is no struggle, and stress also reduces.

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Conclusion – How to Deal with Stress

I will summarize. Stress is produced by the Mind (Mind Product). It can be chosen with Mindfulness. Stress is an emotional reaction; it happens because we resist pressure, leading to tension and stress. Because of stress, struggle happens, and if we struggle, stress becomes worse.

Therefore, if you want to solve stress, stay with mindfulness. Relax. Scan the body and see where it is tight. Note the in-breath and out-breath and release the mind. Meditation is not just doing meditation; it is practicing things related to the Mind. It is doing it for Mental wellness.

If you know how to be stable in the present, stress no longer exists. Rest In Peace is not only obtained when dead; Sleep In Peace is not only obtained when sleeping; Live In Peace is obtained if you no longer think in the present. It is good not to think. Be Alert, be Alive, be Awake. That is due to mindfulness.

I have explained it like this. I believe you have understood. Stress is produced by one's own mind, can be chosen with mindfulness, does not happen if not resisted, and reduces if not struggled – remember these things and practice to live stably in the present.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu.

Dr. Soe Lwin (Mandalay)