Swami Nikhilanand Ji says stress is often seen as the problem itself, but in reality, it is just a symptom. Many methods, such as exercise, meditation, and hobbies, help manage stress temporarily, but they do not eliminate it. He explains, "Trying to control stress won’t eliminate stress because it’s like if you have a brain tumor and you take an aspirin for your headache. To truly eliminate stress, one must address its root causes, which stem from deeper existential and emotional struggles.”
Swami Nikhilanand Ji examines this from a couple of different perspectives. “One is intellectual. Intellectually we don't know who we are. Who am I? So this is an existential problem, and we may not analyze it to that depth but that's actually true for all of us. We all really wonder, Who am I and where do I belong?” We're always trying to fit in. We're always trying to figure out how to act and behave so that we'll finally feel like we are home.” He points out that even in familiar settings people feel disconnected, "Do you notice that you don’t even feel home in your own home?" This search for belonging leads to a persistent dissatisfaction fueling stress.
Another fundamental cause of stress is our deep-seated unhappiness. Even when people achieve worldly success, love, or wealth, they often feel a lingering void. Even when you’re in the arms of someone who loves you the most, there’s still fear, “Even this isn’t enough!" This endless search for fulfillment intensifies stress and anxiety.
The intellectual solution to stress begins with understanding our true nature. The scriptures teach that "you are not the body”. The body and mind are temporary, but the soul is eternal. "Nothing can destroy me. I have been here forever. I will be here forever!" By recognizing that we are Divine souls, part of Shri Krishna, and that He is always with me, we can start to detach from worldly fears and uncertainties. This realization alone can significantly reduce stress.
Swami Nikhilanand Ji says, “However, intellectual understanding on its own is not enough. We need to experience something.” What is that? Happiness. The pursuit of happiness drives all human actions; worldly pleasures never provide lasting fulfillment. So, instead of thinking, “How can I relieve myself from stress and pain?” We could just think, “How could I find happiness?” The temporary pleasures of the world have never been enough. This is because we are inherently Divine beings, and only Divine happiness can complete us. True joy comes from experiencing and connecting with God. Taittirīyopaniṣad says, “God Himself is happiness.” Part of our stress is that we’re looking for happiness and failing to find it and only through devotion and love for Krishna can one find lasting peace.
Swami Nikhilanand Ji says, “Both the intellectual side and experiential side go hand in hand.” In other words, you need to understand the intellectual theory; what we call tattva gyan - Who am I? How am I related to God? Where do I belong? Where is perfect happiness? But then you also have to experience that perfect happiness. The ultimate experience comes when you become God realized. So to become God realized, you have to follow the path to God. While we follow the path to God, it’s not a long empty path with only the payoff coming at the end. No. The path to God is full of experiences that keep bringing you closer and closer. So naturally our feelings of insecurity and stress reduce as this devotional experience goes on expanding as we follow the path to God
Memorable Quotes from the Discourse:
"Stress is not the actual problem. Stress is merely a symptom."
"Trying to control stress won’t eliminate stress because, well, it’s like if you have a brain tumor and you take an aspirin for your headache."
"We all really wonder, “Who am I and where do I belong?"”
"At the root of all of this, we are unhappy even when we enjoy the brief pleasures of this world. Even that doesn't cure that inner void we feel."
"Even when you’re in the arms of someone who loves you the most, there’s still fear."
"You are not the body. The body dies, but you don’t die, so you are something other than the body."
"You are not your mind either because when you go to sleep at night, you enter into a state called sushupti (deep sleep)."
"So we have to remember, “I am the soul. I am a Divine soul and nothing can destroy me!"”
"Something may harm my body. Nothing can harm my soul."
"We feel alone because we forget that Krishna is with us."
"Instead of thinking how can I relieve myself from stress and pain, we could just think, “How could I find happiness?"”
"Happiness is none other than God…God himself is happiness."
"Material pleasures can’t satisfy the Divine soul. Only Divine God can make us feel complete."
"No person in this world can love another perfectly because we ourselves aren’t perfect."
"The path to God is not a long empty path with only the payoff coming at the end."
Please watch the video or read the transcript to fully grasp the essence of the discourse.
Please note that the transcript has not been proofread. If you spot any errors, kindly let us know by getting in touch with us.
