Are we under the control of our fears?
Do we allow the fears to rule us?
What does it mean to be governed by our fears?
What is fear really?

It is chronicled as a natural emotion triggered by perceived threats, preparing the body to react through the fight-or-flight response. It is a survival instinct that can be healthy alerting us to danger, but it can become overwhelming in certain situations.

Fear can also be identified as a warning system which helps one to be safe by making one alert to potential danger. It is also defined as an instinctual programmed response that can be brief or last longer depending on the situation and individual. There are physical and psychological changes in one. When one feels fear, the body experiences physiological changes as part of the fight-or-flight responses, including a faster heartbeat, increased breathing and muscle tension. It can also include unhelpful thoughts and changes in behavior, like avoiding certain situations.

What are the causes of fear?

Real threats can be triggered by a real, immediate danger, such as a sudden loud noise. Imagined or specific threats can also arise from a perceived or imagined threat, leading to things like anxiety or phobias.

Types of fear

Common fears like fear of spiders, creepy crawlies or heights.
Phobias are irrational and excessive fears of specific objects or situations, that can interfere with daily life.
Anxiety and worry.

Panic: Sudden intense fear can be manifested as a panic attack with symptoms like a racing heart, dizziness and shortness of breath.
Fear is described as anxiety, dread, terror, fearfulness and panic. There are four types of fear responses: fight, flight, freeze and fawn.
How do we overcome these feelings?

Swami Sivananda and Satyananda viewed fear as originating from attachment and ignorance. They believed it can be conquered by non-attachment (vairagya) and self-knowledge. Through practices like breath awareness and Samvrit pranayama and meditation on the fearless self. They distinguish between normal, healthy fear that serves as a warning and imaginary fear which is harmful and destructive. Attachment creates fear as fear of loss of wealth, fame, possessions, of love, of life. Imagination and ignorance lead to creation of fear.

I will share with you, dear ones, how it is possible to shed one’s fears. We can invoke the name of Hanuman, Durga Ma or Shiva to banish our fears.

Hanuman Chalisa is a prayer to Hanuman. I will explain 2 verses to you.

You alone can withstand your magnificence. All the three worlds start trembling at one roar of you, O Mahaveer! No ghosts or evil spirits come near the ones, who remember your name. Therefore, just remembering your name does everything.

O Hanuman! All diseases and all kinds of pain get eradicated when one recites or chants your name. Therefore, chanting your name regularly is considered to be very significant. Whoever meditates upon or worships with thought, word and deed, gets freedom from all kinds of crisis and affliction.

Om Sarva Swarupe Sarveshe, Sarva Shakti Samanvite Bhaye Bhyastraahi No Devi, Durge Devi Namostute.

This is a prayer to Goddess Durga asking for protection from all fears and is often cited for its ability to instill inner strength and courage.

Om Namah Shivaya

It is a direct invocation to Shiva, meaning I bow to you. It connects one to Shiva’s energy and it removes all negative energies.

We all wish to be fearless. confident, self-assured, bold, courageous. This can only happen if we become responsible, in charge and connect with our inner self. The method to accomplish this is either we chant or we practice breath awareness. Ideally doing both is recommended.

The Sadhana to be fearless

I will give the sadhana for breath awareness. Become aware of your breath. Visualize the breath going in and out both nostrils. Be comfortable with the breathing process and be conscious of the sound of the breath. Now visualize the prana in the breath going in through both nostrils. Be comfortable with it. You can count your breath backwards from 27 to 0. It is 27 I am breathing in, 27 I am breathing out. No mistakes, because then you will have to start again.

You are aware of the breath, you are visualizing the prana in your breath, and you are concentrating on the counting. You can increase the number to 54 or 108. You can also add to this after a while by inhaling to the count of five, pausing to the count of five, exhaling to the count of five and no breathing to the count of five.

What is happening here?

You are now practicing breath awareness with the Samvrit Pranayama now. Your prana is balanced, and your thoughts are not speaking to you and therefore you are able to manage your fears and understand that they are baseless pests.

Next you can add a chant. Only saying the name of Hanuman, Durga Ma or Shiva will be enough.

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash