To a large extent we all experience fear at some times. It appears within modern society there are many things to fear. Often our fears are exaggerated or not even true. However our thoughts are very powerful. If we are fearful about certain situations it can often be the case we create a situation where these events actually occur. Therefore we should be very careful to avoid fear in our lives.

To avoid fear we can consider the following suggestions

1. Avoid having a fear of failure. Often we set ourselves very high standards, but then we fear that we will not achieve perfection. We should not fear failure, instead we can look upon failure as a necessary experience in order to make progress. We can easily go from fear of failure to gaining happiness from making courageous steps at our own self-improvement.

2. Try to invoke a courageous attitude. If fear is torturing you try to develop the attitude that fear can and must be conquered. The indomitable spirit of Vivekananda voiced forth:

“The earth is enjoyed by heroes”—this is the unfailing truth. Be a hero. Always say, “I have no fear.” (1)

3. Don’t fear what other people may think. The root of fear often stems from separation. We fear others, or what they may think, because we separate ourselves from other people.

“Fear is something that constantly tells us that we are entirely different or separate from others, that our existence is only for ourselves” (2)

4. To overcome this kind of fear we should use the power of love. With love we feel a sense of oneness. Therefore it is not possible to have the same fear. We no longer fear people because they are part of our own self. It is love that can conquer fear. As Sri Chinmoy says:

“Where there is love, real love, there can be no fear.” (3)

5. Fear often spreads most readily in a passive mind. When we do nothing we feel helpless and hopeless. When we engage in fruitful action and encourage positive thoughts we can sweep away many of our anxieties and worries.

6. Always keep a sense of perspective. When watching the news we allow the whole world to enter us and the world feels a fearful place. However we should bear in mind news tends to be dominated only by bad events. Unfortunately good and positive events are not recorded because they are not as newsworthy.

7. Meditation can help to overcome fear. Meditation is the art of getting to know our real self. We dive deep within where we find a real sense of inner peace and happiness. These divine qualities are also not dependent upon events in the outer world.

Footnotes:

(1) Swami Vivekananda, Philosopher, Spiritual teacher and Indian patriot who definitely gave hope and faith to his fellow Indians in the late nineteenth century.

(2) From “Failure and Fear” by Sri Chinmoy

(3) Excerpt from Warriors Of The Inner World by Sri Chinmoy.

Richard Pettinger
Writes for http://www.radiosrichinmoy.org