Forum

PHOBIAS

Peculiar, private, irrational and unnatural fears are called phobias. They have no
objective reality. There is nothing to frighten people. There is no threatening situation in their
environment which should cause fear in them and yet they cannot free themselves from fears and
negative feelings. The original word in Greek is “Phobos” meaning fear.
Some are terribly afraid of scorpions. This is scorpion-phobia. Some are afraid of
snakes. This is snake-phobia. Some are afraid of rats (rat-phobia). Some are afraid of thunder.
Some are afraid of walking in the dark. Some are afraid of seeing great multitude of people
(plurophobia). Some Brahmacharins are afraid of seeing a bevy of ladies. Some are afraid to
remain alone. Some are afraid to sleep in a room without a lamp. Some are afraid of closed
spaces such as tunnels, etc., (claustrophobia). Some are afraid of open spaces (agoraphobia).
Though the doctor has definitely said that there is nothing organically wrong with some patients,
they still think that they have some heart trouble or kidney disease or liver-complaint. These are
all phobias of the body.
Some are afraid of anything and everything (pantaphobia). The Americans are afraid of
the Russians (Russo-phobia). The Russians are afraid of the Americans (Americo-phobia). The
Frontier people of India are afraid of the tribal people (Tribal-phobia). Phobias are endless.
The causes of phobias are nervousness, stupidity in a mild or intense form and lack of
Vichara or enquiry or right thinking and right understanding.

Phobia is an unnatural form of fear. A normal fear arises when one’s life is in danger
when some external object such as cobra or a tiger or situation like a riot threatens the existence
of the individual. The fear which arises on such occasions is perfectly natural. Man tries to save
his own life by either fight or defence.
Develop your will-power. Cultivate courage and fortitude. Develop mental power of
endurance, firmness in meeting danger and power of resistance. Meditate on courage. Live in
the company of sages and Yogis. Meditate on the fearless Atman. All phobias will disappear.
A person who is unable to move in the company of many people, who hates multitude,
who is afraid of seeing many people, should try to move with people slowly, should have
adaptability and strength to withstand agitation of mind. Cultivate calmness even amidst many
men and women. Brahmacharins should try to avoid woman-phobia. They must be fearless and
tranquil even in the midst of ladies. One-sided development is imperfect development.
Development should be integral and that is equal mindedness in all conditions and at all places.
One who is afraid of walking in darkness should try to get rid of this defect by taking a
light in the beginning and walking in the night, and slowly trying to walk without light also. Fear
will vanish in course of time. Fear is a negative force. It cannot stand before the positive virtue,
courage.
Abhinivesha or love for earthly life is the main cause of all fears Abhinivesha is clinging
to life and body. Attachment to objects causes fear. Attachment to name and fame causes fear.
Attachment to money and woman causes fear. Any attachment is the womb of terrible fear. One
who possesses, fears. He does not fear who has renounced everything, who perceives the Atman
in all.
We are afraid, because we love certain things. Love is the cause of fear. We do not wish
to part with certain things. And when anything obstructs our acquiring those objects of love and
desire, we are annoyed, we are afraid of that, and we lose the mental balance. Renunciation of
everything, and cultivating Brahma-Bhava is the best remedy to overcome all fears.
Sit and introspect. Find out the root of the trouble. If you are not able to do this yourself,
get the help of a psychotherapist or a Yogi. The thing that is deeply buried in your subconscious
mind should be released or dispelled.
May you all be courageous! May you all be bold and cheerful! May you all radiate
courage, strength and peace. May you all inherit courage, the birthright from your Almighty
Father, the Fearless, Immortal Brahman!