On the surface, this statement means that the part of you that identifies as a separate self, the ego, experiences anxiety when confronted with the here and now. It suggests that the ego's existence is predicated on a narrative constructed from memories and future projections, and the unadulterated reality of the present moment disrupts this fabricated identity.

In the context of modern non-dual teachings, particularly as articulated by Eckhart Tolle, the ego is understood as a false self, a mental construct built from identification with thoughts, possessions, and roles. This construct is inherently temporal, existing only in the mind's ceaseless activity of remembering and anticipating. The present moment, however, is the only reality, the unmanifest source from which all form arises. For the ego, the present is terrifying because it is the dissolution of its perceived solidity. When you are fully present, the mental chatter ceases, the identification with the 'me' dissolves, and the ego's grip loosens. This is not an annihilation in the destructive sense, but a realization of its illusory nature, a return to the formless awareness that is your true nature. Tolle's work often points to this as the path to liberation from suffering, which is rooted in egoic identification.

In your life: Notice when you feel anxious or restless; it's likely your mind is dwelling on the past or future, avoiding the only place where peace can be found.