Factors for Fear

factors for fear

There are many factors that can make a person develop fear:

Ignorance and distorted perception of the world.
Fear of the unknown is the most common factor.
Fear of the past is due to guilt and feelings attached to our past actions.
Fear of the future is insecurity.
Death is another major cause of fear for many people.

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ABHAY – GESTURE OF FEARLESS – Fear is only a delusion created by the mind; lack of fear is also a delusion created by the mind. Mistaking one thing for another leads to fear; recognizing the mistake and rectifying it, leads to the removal of fear. These two, Bhaya and Nirbhaya, are associated with fear and freedom from fear.

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Understand the way for Abhaya

When you forget yourself, when you forget the Atma, you will suffer from fear. When you remember only the world and not God, you will suffer from fear. When you are filled with desires and attachments, you will suffer from fear. When you are deluded by objects, you will suffer from fear. On the other hand, when you are immersed in the transcendental reality, you will be totally free from fear, you will never be afraid of anything. Then you will always be Abhaya, fearless.

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Steps to Attain Fear

Fear can be overcome when we enquire into the nature of its cause objectively and the causative factors are resolved:
The fear of death can be overcome if one accepts the fact that this body is meant to be perishable but the soul is immortal.
Fear of the past can be overcome if we take responsibility for our actions and stop doing things that will add to our guilt later.
Insecurity can be overcome if we accept our limitations and perceive the wonderful cosmic order as humble spectators.
There is an effective technique called ” Pratipaksha Bhavana ‘ in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. According to this technique, one can neutralize any thought or emotion by consciously raising its counter thought or emotion. For instance, when one is angry, thinking of a pleasing situation (e.g. beautiful scenery) or an object which is close to one’s heart (e.g. thinking of one’s own mother or children) can help in neutralizing anger.

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