FEAR
Fear is necessary for our survival. Hannah Arendt, German Philosopher
A student once asked his yoga teacher how he could keep such mental tranquility and physical wellness. He smiled and replied: “You see only the external side of my life. In my mind it’s like there are two dogs that constantly fight amongst themselves”. The student asked for what reason where the dogs fighting and the teacher replied: “The one always leads me to a better life- good health, energy, creativity, happy relationships, constant joy and serenity. The other always dissociates me from this wonderful situation unto a horrible, where the opposite prevails. It has only one method, but it is mighty. It leads me to fear. When I am afraid, I cannot move. I am trapped and I wear out my energy worrying, being agitated or trying to prevent from which I fear. This dog makes me suffer”. “Tell me, teacher”, said the student, “which dog wins more often”? The teacher sighed, paused and then smiled and replied: “ The one I feed”.
Fear is one of the most common human emotions and we have to learn to deal with it. It often prevents us from trying to do things to improve our lives.
Psychotherapy, meditation, but in certain situations pharmacotherapy too can help you recognize your fears, focus on them and overcome them.