SRI CHAMUNDA SWAMI

Fear has extremely detrimental and fatal effects. Once it finds its way into a person, it can do him no good, only harm. It can turn the gallant to wimps and lions to mice. Fear should never be allowed to hover around us. If man has the courage and an irrepressible will-power to face the challenges, then he can assail even the highest mountains and find a ray of hope for himself.

However, if fear takes refuge in him, then the path to even the meekest aspiration seems to be blocked with a huge mountain of challenges, which then becomes insurmountable for him. Hence, one should stay as far away from fear as possible. Spiritual practice (Adhyatmik sadhana) is a highly effective and compelling means to nudge away fear and to remain fearless. Fear, first and foremost, affects the mind, and since spiritual practice by its very virtue addresses itself directly to the mind and soul, it thus brings about convincing, expeditious and potent results.

Children and youth especially need to be unafraid, because if they are trapped in fear at an impressionable stage, then throughout their lives it will only make them feel suffocated and constricted. I urge the youth, in particular, to keep away from fear. They have to confront the most appalling contingencies of life. In this long and twisted journey, does fear even have any place? How will they ever accomplish anything in life if they are consumed by fear at an early age? Any attempt at slogging in life is futile and worthless when the mind is overwhelmed with fear. No one gets anything out of such an existence. Only the one, who plunges deep into the ocean without any fear or hesitation, has the true potential to extract its most precious treasures.

Perhaps this is why it is essential for us to be free of fear, and embrace happiness and joy into our lives. If there is no fear, then the sweet nectar of bliss will flow freely and uninterrupted into our being. Those who feel the tidings of fear within should endeavour to thwart and drive them away as soon as possible. Look around you, there is bliss. Bound in your fear, you are bereft of this wondrous, blissful experience. Just throw this fear out, and then see how beautiful life becomes.