Tackling one’s Fears
The first
step in tackling one’s fears is accepting them. Once we know what we are afraid
of and recognise that we are afraid of something such as an animal, insect,
person, object, activity or situation, we are in a position to overcome that
fear. Fear is nothing but the natural, emotional and instinctive response to a
perceived or imaginary threat.
One can
recognise one’s fears by practicing mindfulness and become aware of them
through self-examination. As we become mindful, we notice how they arise and
how they are activated, this in turn teaches us the manner in which we should
respond to them and thus break the habit of thinking associated with that fear.
When we find our self in a fearful situation, we can either let our emotions
get the better of ourselves or remain in control and let the emotions play out
their movements without affecting us.
Our fears
are usually thoughts which either dwell in the past or project themselves into
the future. These fears are either irrational or imaginary and we can learn to
deal with them practically through awareness, attention, maturity and
understanding by practicing living in the present moment which is grounded in
reality.
Another way
you can tackle your fears is through visualisation. We can conjure up images of
our worst fears in our minds and also mentally confront those fears courageously
and learn new responses to deal with them which make us emerge as winners over
the fear. We can dissolve our fears by the power of our own thoughts and images.
You can
let go of your fears through the practice of detachment. Everything that you
hold on to is an attachment – your likes-dislikes, your faith, your prejudice,
your anxiety, your fears, your love, your anger, your envy, and so on which are
nothing but different manifestations of the same attachment that has become so
much a part of your own consciousness that you are now a part of an existence
in which you are not what you are and you do not know who you are. When you overcome
this attachment, when you learn not to hold on to things, you become free not
only from your fears but from everything. But these are piecemeal solutions. It is like trying to chip
away a huge mountain with a little hammer. The permanent solution comes when
you pay attention to all your attachments and deal with them comprehensively
through a spiritual solution, by seeking an enlightened Guru and following his path
of wisdom, light and detachment through the regular practice of meditation.
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