Overcoming fear

Fear or faith in negativity is a result of ignorance and another form of 'Maya' (illusion). In reality, there is absolutely no meaning behind succumbing to fear, for it is contrary to our original and default state. The Atman in effect is beyond all forms of fear or limitation. It is the ignorance surrounding the limitless Atman that makes it into the limited Jivatma which then succumbs to a host of unreal concepts such as fear, anger, lust, greed, jealousy, attachment etc.. Indulgence in all these lower traits further push the Jivatma into the realm of Maya, thereby increasing karma and negativity.

Conscious efforts to overcome these lower emotions in practical life will automatically help one achieve a calmer, serene and peaceful state which aids the displacement of fear. For a Brahmachari who is leading an absolute life of unbroken Brahmacharya with God-devotion and meditation, the seed of fear will eventually be weeded out of his psyche in course of time. It is a well known fact that those who are in the path of self-realization eventually overcome all fears and become brave and valorous to the finest degree. The very word used to denote semen in the Samskruth language - 'Veerya' has been derived from the word denoting bravery - 'Veera'. Thus, correct and absolute conservation and transmutation of semen into Ojas makes a person develop superior levels of bravery, valor, courage and confidence. The true Brahmachari becomes extremely capable and confident by default. These qualities ingrain into his nature further to the transmutation of 'veerya' or semen. The true and inner strength of the Atman surfaces into his being and becomes evident in his body language, attitude and speech.

The best way to overcome fear, anxiety and mental weakness is to remind ourselves that we are not the doers of any action but God is. This body, mind, its faculties and the world are only the instruments through which the Lord works out his Leela (divine play). In reality, none of these exist. Only the Parabrahman (Almighty) exists and we are an integral part of the same. That which has to be done by this particular body, mind and its faculties as regards this world will be carried out immaterial of whether we want it or don't. This thing called 'us' is itself an illusion based on the foundations of the false ego. In reality, this thing called 'us' in terms of the ego at the individual level does not exist. Only the Almighty exists, and man upon reaching self-realization comes out of this dream of life where he thought he was a separate individual and rests in the fact that he was, is and always will be a part of the Almighty itself and not a person.

This is our real state. We have forgotten this state and have forgotten who we really are. The state of limited existence denoted by this body, mind and the world full of suffering is not our real state. "Brahman Satyam Jagat Mithyam" - says the great self-realized Yogi Adi Shankaracharya. "The almighty alone is real, this world of objects is false". Next he says  -"Jivo Brahmaiva naparah" - "The Jiva or the Jivatma represented by the individual is himself the Brahman (Almighty) in reality, nothing else is he". Isn't it very important that we set aside all other unreal occupations and concentrate on really finding out who we are and establishing ourselves there? For upon reaching that state, we are awarded with knowledge, power and bliss of the highest order unto eternity. This is the only purpose of the human existence. Everything else is incidental and not worth being taken seriously.

Follow a life of Yoga and Brahmacharya with honesty and dedication and all fear will take to its heals in course of time. Fear is 'Asath' (that which is unreal). It is a result of Maya. Yoga is the best sword with which Maya is killed and nullified. "Tasmaath Sarveshu Kaaleshu, Yogayuktho Bhavarjuna" - says Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. " O Arjuna, at all times thou be established in this Yoga." What does he mean by this? It means one should always be established in those principles that make man overcome his ignorance. It means that one should never engage in acts that take one down the path of sin and delusion. It means that one should remember that one is only the medium and not the doer, that the Almighty alone is the doer at all times and thus abide in the path shown by the divine in day to day life. Freeing oneself from lower traits and emotions with conscious efforts through God-thought and devotion is the means by which this is achieved.

This is the best means of overcoming fear and all other negative emotions. Any other method to nullify these emotions merely by the use of the ego will fail and not succeed, for the ego itself is 'Asath' and how can that which is unreal vanquish anything? To destroy 'Asath' or that which is an effect of Maya, one needs to make use of 'Sath' or that which is real. And no other thing but thought and contemplation on the Almighty constitutes 'Sath'

ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)