Is it possible for the mind to empty itself totally of fear? Fear of any kind breeds illusion; it makes the mind dull, shallow. Where there is fear there is obviously no freedom, and without freedom there is no love at all. And most of us have some form of fear; fear of darkness, fear of public opinion, fear of snakes, fear of physical pain, fear of old age, fear of death. We have literally dozens of fears. And is it possible to be completely free of fear?
We can see what fear does to each one of us. It makes one tell lies; it corrupts one in various ways; it makes the mind empty, shallow. There are dark corners in the mind which can never be investigated and exposed as long as one is afraid. Physical self-protection, the instinctive urge to keep away from the venomous snake, to draw back from the precipice, to avoid falling under the tramcar, and so on, is sane, normal, healthy. But I am asking about the psychological self-protectiveness which makes one afraid of disease, of death, of an enemy. When we seek fulfillment in any form, whether through painting, through music, through relationship, or what you will, there is always fear. So, what is important is to be aware of this whole process of oneself, to observe, to learn about it, and not ask how to get rid of fear. When you merely want to get rid of fear, you will find ways and means of escaping from it, and so there can never be freedom from fear.
Re: Freedom from Fear
We shouldn't be afraid of being afraid. Channel all fears to God - So you can say that "no fear except in God" - There is your answer.
Re: Freedom from Fear
Erm theres loads of ways to conquer a fear, sometimes you replace a small fear with a bigger one... or you combat fear with a strong counter emotion such as love or hate.
For example you might be terrified of having to climb a tower to replace a cable, but consider how much more trouble there would be if you dont replace the cable and people go without power for a long time...
Or on the field of battle you might not want to shoot, squeezing the trigger might be the last thing on your mind but then you remember it's either you or them and so you switch off the fear and replace it with the will to survive and sheer hatred.
You might be scared of handling that tarranutla but your mates are all watching and your scared of making yourself look a sissy so you reach out and take a hold... again fear is replaced by fear...
You might also be afraid of doing the right thing sometimes but then you remember in the back of your mind that, Allah, Ram, Jesus or whatever force you beleive in is watching you so you back off from the wrong path and do what you feel and beleive to be right.
Sometimes your scared of taking that leap, but then you see others have taken it so your compelled to join them in love... trust me the leap of faith is something we all do be it big or small....:)
Re: Freedom from Fear
Psyah, Faris Uddeen!
Thanks sir! for share your thoughts.. answering....
Why we are as a human being face to fear...directly without the shield of any type of God or belief ?
A fact-ual fear is like saving self from Snake, Electric and any accident are... reality but why, in a human being psychological fear exist and developed like fear of what people say? what happened when we lost any pleasurable relation or blood relation? and fear of God?
Re: Freedom from Fear
So, what is important is to be aware of this whole process of oneself, to observe, to learn about it, and not ask how to get rid of fear. When you merely want to get rid of fear, you will find ways and means of escaping from it, and so there can never be freedom from fear.
Jiddu Krishnamurthi (The author of that text) may be right for some people but I don't think we should avoid confronting fear, facing your fears is the best way to overcome them.
Push yourself out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself and you'll realize what it feels like to be free.
Re: Freedom from Fear
Oh yeah!
Re: Freedom from Fear
Is it possible for the mind to empty itself totally of fear? Fear of any kind breeds illusion; it makes the mind dull, shallow. Where there is fear there is obviously no freedom, and without freedom there is no love at all. And most of us have some form of fear; fear of darkness, fear of public opinion, fear of snakes, fear of physical pain, fear of old age, fear of death. We have literally dozens of fears. And is it possible to be completely free of fear? We can see what fear does to each one of us. It makes one tell lies; it corrupts one in various ways; it makes the mind empty, shallow. There are dark corners in the mind which can never be investigated and exposed as long as one is afraid. Physical self-protection, the instinctive urge to keep away from the venomous snake, to draw back from the precipice, to avoid falling under the tramcar, and so on, is sane, normal, healthy. But I am asking about the psychological self-protectiveness which makes one afraid of disease, of death, of an enemy. When we seek fulfillment in any form, whether through painting, through music, through relationship, or what you will, there is always fear. So, what is important is to be aware of this whole process of oneself, to observe, to learn about it, and not ask how to get rid of fear. When you merely want to get rid of fear, you will find ways and means of escaping from it, and so there can never be freedom from fear.
Not sure what you are trying to achieve.
Fear is an important emotion and if it is appropriate then very useful for sanctity of brain/pshyche (to be able to enjoy the opposite) and also for survival (Physical benefit).
Human psyche is fill of opposite emotions like happiness/sadness, fear/bravery, sensitive/aloof, calm/anxious, worried/content or satisfied, pain/pleasure.
One emotion cannot be functionally useful without other.
Re: Freedom from Fear
conquer your fear and you will be free...!!
Re: Freedom from Fear
I feel happy to see nice.... fact oriented people here...
Re: Freedom from Fear
Krishnamurthy is/was an interesting chap, he looks like a wizened Danny Pudi. His lectures on love make me smile, too lazy for links but they are on youtube if anyone cares.
Rajey, I like fear. Yes, it can be destructive and hold us back from achieving our potential, but mix it with a little bit of awareness and it can help shape purpose.
Re: Freedom from Fear
Well said 