Episode 372, Overcoming Fear: A Spiritual Path to Inner Peace and Freedom
Fear is a natural human emotion. Everyone experiences it at some point in life. Yet, very few people truly understand how fear is created, how it affects the mind and soul, and how it can be controlled. Fear is not just a feeling—it is a mental distortion, similar to anger, greed, attachment, and ego. It is often created by our own thoughts and sometimes absorbed from the surrounding environment. Through conversations, news, social atmosphere, and imagination, we unknowingly invite fear into our lives. Over time, it becomes a habit of the mind. This article explores the spiritual understanding of fear and offers practical ways to overcome it through knowledge, meditation, and divine awareness.
The Nature of Fear
Scientifically, fear is a negative emotional response to a perceived danger. It is a natural survival instinct present in humans and animals. However, fear is not always beneficial. When uncontrolled, it creates stress, anxiety, anger, and mental imbalance.
Fear manifests in many forms:
Fear of failure, Fear of loss, Fear of disease, Fear of society, Fear of the future, Fear of death
Among all these, the strongest fear is the fear of death.
The Greatest Fear: Fear of Death
Every human being experiences fear of death at some stage. Death represents the end of physical comforts, relationships, possessions, and achievements. People fear losing what they have collected in this world. But spiritually, death is only the end of the body—not the soul. The soul is eternal. It carries forward its karmic impressions. Only our actions travel with us, not wealth, status, or material belongings. When we realize this truth, the fear of death slowly dissolves.
Fear of death arises mainly due to:
Attachment to the body
Attachment to comforts
Attachment to relationships
Attachment to material success
The stronger the attachment, the stronger the fear.
Fear Begins in Childhood
Fear is often planted in childhood. Children are frightened with stories of ghosts, animals, darkness, and punishment. These impressions get stored in the subconscious mind and remain for years. Society, media, and environment further strengthen these fears. Over time, fear becomes part of our thinking pattern. Thus, fear is largely a mental creation.
Types of Fear
Fear appears in different forms:
Superstitious Fear – Fear of imaginary forces, ghosts, bad luck, or omens.
Intellectual Fear – Fear that develops through knowledge and experience, such as financial loss or social failure.
Fear of Uncertainty – Fear of unknown outcomes and future events.
All these originate from imagination and lack of spiritual awareness.
The Role of Imagination
Our mind continuously creates worst-case scenarios. When imagination is uncontrolled, it produces anxiety, tension, and emotional suffering. Most fears do not exist in reality. They exist only in thought. Therefore, controlling imagination is the first step in overcoming fear.
Fear in Modern Times
Today, fear spreads rapidly through news, social media, and conversations. People constantly discuss disasters, diseases, deaths, and crises. This creates a collective atmosphere of fear. When everyone focuses on negative information, fear multiplies.
To protect ourselves, we must:
Limit negative news consumption
Avoid fear-based discussions
Stay away from panic-driven conversations
This helps prevent external fear from entering our minds.
Facing Fear with Inner Strength
Fear cannot be eliminated by avoiding it. It must be faced with strength, awareness, and wisdom.
Meditation plays a vital role in this process.
Meditation: Calms the mind, Strengthens the soul, Reduces anxiety, Builds inner stability, Increases self-awareness Through meditation, one develops the power to face any situation with peace.
Knowledge: The Sword Against Fear
Spiritual knowledge is the greatest weapon against fear.
When fear arises, remind yourself:
My actions are with me
God is with me
I am walking on the path of truth
Nothing harmful can destroy my soul
Just as Lord Krishna assured Arjuna that those who walk on the path of righteousness never fall spiritually, we too must trust divine guidance. When we live for self-transformation and world welfare, fear loses its grip.
Freedom from Material Attachment
Fear exists because of attachment.
People fear losing:----Money----Status----Property----Loved ones----Comforts
The more we cling to these, the more vulnerable we become. Spiritual freedom begins when we reduce our dependency on external possessions and focus on inner wealth—peace, wisdom, and love. True liberation comes when desires, cravings, and excessive expectations dissolve.
The Illusion of Maya
In spiritual philosophy, fear is a byproduct of Maya (illusion). Maya makes us identify with the temporary world and forget our eternal nature. Even great saints struggled to overcome Maya. Liberation is rare and requires deep self-discipline. Therefore, every individual must consciously work to rise above illusion and fear.
Faith in the Divine Presence
The strongest antidote to fear is faith. When we truly believe: “God is with me every moment,” fear disappears. Just as the sun works continuously without stopping, the Supreme Power continuously supports creation. We are never abandoned. Whenever fear arises, repeat within: “The Supreme Father is always with me.” This affirmation creates spiritual security.
Lessons from History: The Example of Kansa
Kansa, in the Mahabharata, constantly feared Krishna because of a prophecy. His attachment to power and life created continuous anxiety. He created his own suffering through fear. This teaches us that fear is self-created.
Desire, Attachment, and Fear
Desire leads to attachment. Attachment leads to fear. Fear destroys wisdom. Lord Krishna explained that desire and attachment burn knowledge like fire. When desires dominate the mind, fear automatically follows. Therefore, self-control is essential.
The Role of the Intellect
The mind creates fear. The intellect removes fear. When fear arises, the intellect must respond: “Do not worry. God is with us.”“Everything happens for good.” “I am protected by divine law.” This dialogue between intellect and mind brings balance.
Understanding Death Spiritually
Death is a natural transformation. The soul does not die. It only changes bodies. If one lives with righteousness and awareness, even death becomes a step toward spiritual progress. Thus, fear of death is unnecessary.
Power of Positive Thinking
Positive people recover quickly from setbacks. Negative people magnify small problems. Positivity strengthens emotional immunity. When we cultivate positive thoughts, fear finds no place to grow.
Role of Paramshanti (Supreme Peace)
Regular remembrance of Paramshanti (Supreme Peace) purifies the mind.
Chanting, listening, and meditating on Paramshanti:
Cleanses negative impressions
Calms emotional turbulence
Strengthens spiritual awareness
Creates healing vibrations
When peace increases inside, fear naturally fades.
Transforming Emotional Energy
Fear creates harmful hormonal reactions in the body. Peace creates healing energy.
As peace increases: Stress reduces, Immunity improves, Confidence grows, Mental clarity develops
This leads to holistic well-being.
The Soul’s True Nature
The soul is: Eternal, Pure, Peaceful, Powerful, Blissful We are beings of divine light. When we remember our true identity, fear becomes meaningless.
Surrender and Trust
True freedom comes through surrender. When we offer our worries to the Divine, life flows effortlessly. Surrender does not mean weakness. It means trust in higher wisdom.
Practical Steps to Overcome Fear
Practice daily meditation
Limit negative information
Control imagination
Study spiritual knowledge
Reduce attachments
Strengthen faith
Remember Paramshanti
Maintain positive company
Serve humanity
Trust divine timing
Conclusion
Fear is not real. It is a creation of the mind. It is born from ignorance, attachment, and illusion. Through spiritual knowledge, meditation, faith, and remembrance of Paramshanti (Supreme Peace), we can dissolve fear completely. When the soul awakens to its divine identity, fear disappears forever. Let us walk on the path of self-purification, inner peace, and universal harmony. Let us spread Paramshanti to ourselves, society, and the world.
Discover the spiritual teachings of Rishi Kundu, divine illusion, karma, meditation, and soul awakening. Learn how to attain Supreme Peace through self-realization, devotion, and inner transformation.