Carl Jung said, ‘The greatest burden a child must bear is the unlived life of its parents.’ Welcome to The Soul Podcast. I’m Stacey Wheeler. 

Years ago, I had a panic attack—heart pounding, breath shallow—felt like my deeper self screaming, ‘Live your truth.’ What if panic isn’t chaos, but a message urging us to break free from what’s unlived and find balance? Today, we’re diving into panic attacks as profound signals, blending spiritual wisdom, psychological insight, and Jung’s vision of the psyche. Let’s uncover what these moments are trying to teach us.

So, what are these messages? Spiritually, panic might be your soul crying out for alignment. Psychologically, it’s a clue to what’s out of sync. And through Jung’s lens, it’s a call from the unconscious to live fully. Let’s start with the spiritual side.

Spiritually, a panic attack feels like a wake-up call—a jolt from your soul saying, ‘Something’s off.’ It might signal you’re chasing goals that don’t resonate or ignoring your need for rest, connection, or purpose. Picture a river: when it’s blocked, the water churns and overflows. Panic is that overflow, pointing to a dam in your life’s flow. For example, panic attacks can arise from overworking, trying to please everyone while neglecting personal needs. By pausing to listen, it becomes clear the soul craves space to create, not just achieve. To hear this message, try spiritual practices like sitting in silence, asking, ‘What’s out of balance?’ Or journal about what your panic feels like—it’s like giving your deeper self a voice. By listening, we realign with our true path, letting the river flow freely again.

The Source of panic attacks can be nearly anything in your life that leads your Soul to call you back to your self. A job loss, a death in the family, a breakup, a bad marriage. Rumi said, “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” These are the sorts of ‘cracks’ Rumi was talking about. When life breaks us open, panic can be the soul’s way of saying, ‘Look here, this wound is where your transformation begins.’ By facing these moments, we allow the light of awareness to enter, guiding us back to our true essence. And even more than 'allow'.. it forces its' way in unless we resist. When we surrender in this moment, we can be transformed. This call to return to the self echoes the deeper wisdom of the psyche, which brings us to Jung’s perspective.

Carl Jung’s ideas take us deeper. He saw the unconscious as holding the parts of us we’ve ignored—our dreams, fears, even our unlived lives. His words, ‘The greatest burden a child must bear is the unlived life of its parents,’ remind us that panic can be the unconscious shouting, ‘Don’t repeat that pattern!’ It’s like a flare from what Jung called the shadow—those hidden parts we’ve pushed away. For instance, if you’re suppressing anger or creativity to ‘fit in,’ your shadow might erupt as panic, demanding to be seen. Jung’s goal of individuation—becoming your whole self—means facing these parts. Next time panic hits, wait for it to settle and ask: ‘What part of me have I ignored?’ Maybe it’s a dream you shelved or a truth you’re avoiding. Embracing these shadows brings us closer to wholeness, easing the inner conflict that fuels panic.

Psychologically, panic attacks are our body’s alarm system—a fight-or-flight response to stress, trauma, or overwhelm. They often signal we’re stretched too thin, like a rubber band about to snap. Maybe it’s a toxic job, unresolved grief, or saying ‘yes’ when you needed to say ‘no.’ We can respond with tools like slow, deep breathing—inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for eight—to calm the nervous system. Therapy, like CBT or somatic work, helps uncover triggers. And lifestyle changes, like setting boundaries or prioritizing sleep, keep that rubber band from breaking. For example, panic attacks might stem from a high-pressure career driven by others’ expectations. Therapy can reveal this imbalance, and by reducing hours or pursuing personal passions, balance can be restored, often easing the panic.

What ties this together? A panic attack is a signal—body, mind, and soul—urging us to listen and realign. Spiritually, it’s a call to live authentically. Psychologically, it’s a push to address stress. And through Jung’s lens, it’s a doorway to the unlived parts of ourselves. Pema Chödrön captures this beautifully: ‘Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.’ When panic strikes, it’s not just fear—it’s your deeper self guiding you toward your truth. So, pause. Breathe. Ask, ‘What’s out of balance? What truth am I being called to face?’ You don’t have to carry the burden of an unlived life. Let panic be your guide, not your enemy. 

Today, take a moment to reflect or breathe deeply, honoring the message within. 

This is The Soul Podcast, I’m Stacey Wheeler. Until next time, keep listening to your deeper self.