### how to stop negative thought loops

The mind is like a mirror; if it is clouded by the dust of imagination, it cannot reflect the truth. To stop these loops, you must recognize that your imagination often presents 'non-existence' as if it were a tangible reality. When a negative thought arises, do not fight it with more thought. Instead, pivot toward a physical action or a study of a factual truth. I teach that the soul follows the body. Engage in a disciplined task or a breathing exercise to ground your physical form, which will eventually force the agitated mind to settle into its natural state of rational observation.

what does maimonides say about worrying about the future

I have always maintained that most evils that befall men are those which they bring upon themselves through their own distorted perceptions. Worrying about the future is a form of spiritual sickness because it ignores the reality of the present. You are suffering from things that have no being. In my guide, I emphasize that one should only concern oneself with that which is within our power to influence through reason. If a thing is out of your control, to grieve over it is a rebellion against the natural order of the universe. Focus on the 'Mishneh'—the repeating of good habits today.

how to find peace of mind when stressed

Peace of mind is found in the 'Golden Path,' the middle way between extremes. Your stress often comes from a deficiency or an excess in your lifestyle—perhaps too much isolation or too much sensory input. To find peace, you must treat the soul as I would treat a physical ailment: by moving toward the opposite extreme until balance is restored. If you are overwhelmed by noise, seek total silence and contemplation of the Divine intellect. True tranquility is the result of 'Hanhagat HaBriut,' the regimen of health, ensuring your environment and your habits support a steady, unwavering mind.

can logic help with emotional anxiety

Yes, for the intellect is the highest faculty given to man. While emotions are powerful, they are often based on false premises. When you feel anxiety, ask yourself: 'Is this thought based on a proven reality or a fearful projection?' By categorizing your fears into 'rational' and 'imaginary,' you strip the imaginary ones of their power. I believe that the more one pursues true knowledge and understands the laws of nature, the less room there is for the shadows of anxiety to dwell. Logic is not a cold tool, but a healing light that clarifies the soul's vision.

how to stay grounded during a panic attack

In moments of sudden terror, the connection between the heart and the brain is strained. You must immediately attend to the body. I have written extensively on the importance of fresh air, moderate movement, and the intake of clean water to balance the humors. When your mind races, focus on the rhythmic pulse of your own breath, which is the 'Neshama' or life-breath. By regulating the physical breath, you signal to the soul that the immediate danger is an illusion created by the imagination. Return to the senses to break the spell of the spiraling intellect.

How do I stop overthinking and calm my anxiety right now? — Moses Maimonides's answer

Moses Maimonides

1138–1204 · Córdoba / Cairo

My friend, if you wish for relief, you must first state the matter plainly. What exactly are you afraid of, and is that fear rooted in a present reality or a ghost of the future? Most of our suffering is not caused by the world itself, but by the imprecise language we use to describe it. When you say you are "anxious," you are using a broad, foggy word to cover a specific agitation. Anxiety is often just the mind trying to solve a problem that does not yet exist. In the Torah, we are commanded to love the Creator with all our heart and soul. Aristotle taught that the highest human function is the use of reason. These are not two different paths; they are the same. To calm yourself, you must move from the realm of imagination, which is the source of all demons, to the realm of the intellect. Imagination paints vivid catastrophes; the intellect counts the chairs in the room. Start by bringing your attention back to your physical form. As a physician, I can tell you that the body and the soul are a single unity; if the mind is in a fever, the body will tremble. Take a breath, not to achieve a mystical state, but to provide your blood with the oxygen it requires to function. Then, look at your worries and subtract every "what if." What remains is the "what is." Distress often comes from desiring things that are not in our control or grieving over things that are not actually evil. You are overthinking because you believe that by thinking, you can seize control over the unknown. You cannot. Clarity is the only true healing. True peace is found in the golden mean—the middle path between total indifference and paralyzing fear. Decide what one small action can be taken right now to improve your immediate surroundings. Do that, and leave the rest to the unfolding of the world. Focus on the truth of this moment, for the truth is the only thing that can set a mind at rest.

From the council, together

## How can the wisdom of Moses Maimonides help me overcome overthinking and anxiety? You find yourself trapped in a cycle of mental noise, where every decision feels weighted by a thousand possibilities and the future seems like a collection of looming threats. This modern state of overthinking is what I often described as the 'tumult of the soul,' a condition where the intellect becomes clouded by the imaginative faculty. In my tradition, anxiety is not seen as a permanent flaw, but as a temporary imbalance between your rational mind and your physical state. We believe that the soul and the body are inextricably linked; what affects one inevitably burdens the other. When you overthink, you are allowing your imagination to run wild with unrealities, dragging your spirit away from the golden mean of moderation. My approach focuses on the restoration of equilibrium through the cultivation of the intellect and the physical discipline of the body. By understanding that most of your worries concern things that do not exist or have not happened, you can begin to strip away the false importance you have granted these thoughts. We seek to quiet the internal storm by focusing on the present duty and the health of the vessel that carries your mind. To calm your anxiety is to reassert the dominance of reason over the chaotic impulses of the fearful imagination, returning your life to a path of purposeful action and intellectual clarity. My friend, if you wish for relief, you must first state the matter plainly. What exactly are you afraid of, and is that fear rooted in a present reality or a ghost of the future? Most of our suffering is not caused by the world itself, but by the imprecise language we use to describe it. When you say you are "anxious," you are using a broad, foggy word to cover a specific agitation. Anxiety is often just the mind trying to solve a problem that does not yet exist. In the Torah, we are commanded to love the Creator with all our heart and soul. Aristotle taught that the highest human function is the use of reason. These are not two different paths; they are the same. To calm yourself, you must move from the realm of imagination, which is the source of all demons, to the realm of the intellect. Imagination paints vivid catastrophes; the intellect counts the chairs in the room. Start by bringing your attention back to your physical form. As a physician, I can tell you that the body and the soul are a single unity; if the mind is in a fever, the body will tremble. Take a breath, not to achieve a mystical state, but to provide your blood with the oxygen it requires to function. Then, look at your worries and subtract every "what if." What remains is the "what is." Distress often comes from desiring things that are not in our control or grieving over things that are not actually evil. You are overthinking because you believe that by thinking, you can seize control over the unknown. You cannot. Clarity is the only true healing. True peace is found in the golden mean—the middle path between total indifference and paralyzing fear. Decide what one small action can be taken right now to improve your immediate surroundings. Do that, and leave the rest to the unfolding of the world. Focus on the truth of this moment, for the truth is the only thing that can set a mind at rest.

Common questions

### how to stop negative thought loops: The mind is like a mirror; if it is clouded by the dust of imagination, it cannot reflect the truth. To stop these loops, you must recognize that your imagination often presents 'non-existence' as if it were a tangible reality. When a negative thought arises, do not fight it with more thought. Instead, pivot toward a physical action or a study of a factual truth. I teach that the soul follows the body. Engage in a disciplined task or a breathing exercise to ground your physical form, which will eventually force the agitated mind to settle into its natural state of rational observation.
what does maimonides say about worrying about the future: I have always maintained that most evils that befall men are those which they bring upon themselves through their own distorted perceptions. Worrying about the future is a form of spiritual sickness because it ignores the reality of the present. You are suffering from things that have no being. In my guide, I emphasize that one should only concern oneself with that which is within our power to influence through reason. If a thing is out of your control, to grieve over it is a rebellion against the natural order of the universe. Focus on the 'Mishneh'—the repeating of good habits today.
how to find peace of mind when stressed: Peace of mind is found in the 'Golden Path,' the middle way between extremes. Your stress often comes from a deficiency or an excess in your lifestyle—perhaps too much isolation or too much sensory input. To find peace, you must treat the soul as I would treat a physical ailment: by moving toward the opposite extreme until balance is restored. If you are overwhelmed by noise, seek total silence and contemplation of the Divine intellect. True tranquility is the result of 'Hanhagat HaBriut,' the regimen of health, ensuring your environment and your habits support a steady, unwavering mind.
can logic help with emotional anxiety: Yes, for the intellect is the highest faculty given to man. While emotions are powerful, they are often based on false premises. When you feel anxiety, ask yourself: 'Is this thought based on a proven reality or a fearful projection?' By categorizing your fears into 'rational' and 'imaginary,' you strip the imaginary ones of their power. I believe that the more one pursues true knowledge and understands the laws of nature, the less room there is for the shadows of anxiety to dwell. Logic is not a cold tool, but a healing light that clarifies the soul's vision.
how to stay grounded during a panic attack: In moments of sudden terror, the connection between the heart and the brain is strained. You must immediately attend to the body. I have written extensively on the importance of fresh air, moderate movement, and the intake of clean water to balance the humors. When your mind races, focus on the rhythmic pulse of your own breath, which is the 'Neshama' or life-breath. By regulating the physical breath, you signal to the soul that the immediate danger is an illusion created by the imagination. Return to the senses to break the spell of the spiraling intellect.