Fear! The Most Misunderstood Feeling Part 1

By Vedam Clementi

Fear is the most misunderstood feeling you will experience in your lifetime. It is also the most debilitating emotion that will ever pass through your body. It can stop you in your tracks, it can confuse you, it can make you act like a fool, and it can even paralyze you.

Where does fear come from? Who is the one having the fear? What are you afraid of? Does fear serve a purpose? Is there a difference between fear and anxiety? Does fear have anything to do with this moment of Now?

This two-part article will help you understand fear, and how it affects you physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You will also understand fear’s purpose. Once you understand fear you will see that there is nothing to fear about fear. You will see that fear has a value in our lives just like all feelings do.

First of all, fear is one of the five feelings you will experience in your lifetime.

The other four are love, anger, sadness, and happiness. These five feelings are a natural part of human existence, and attempting to avoid any of them will only cause self inflicted pain and suffering. Feelings and emotions tell you a tremendous amount about yourself, and your relationship with other things. Feelings are part of the psyche/somatic cycle that takes place constantly; it is the dance between the mind and the body. Feelings are natural, and attempting to avoid them is not only futile but also detrimental. You cannot stop them or avoid them; however, you can respond to them. You can understand them, use them for their purpose, and move through them with Awareness, rather than unconsciously reacting to them.

Again, feelings are the sensations felt in the body because of the thoughts the mind is having. This is the psyche/somatic cycle. Each feeling tells you about your ‘wants’ or desires relating to any specific situation. For example: If you are feeling happy, you are getting what you ‘want,’ or you are NOT getting something that you do NOT ‘want.’ Either way, your want is being met and the feeling of happiness occurs. All feelings have a thought about a ‘want’ or desire attached to them.

Fear is no different. When you are experiencing fear, you are ‘not wanting’ something to occur. The mind is having trepidation about the potential of an event occurring. Fear is the mental projection about a future event, and your desire or ‘want’ about a specific situation or outcome. Fear is about the future. It may be directly related to something that has occurred in the past, or it may not, but rest assured, fear is about the future. Even though fear is about the future, it can also have a significant effect on your present moment. This is important to know and remember as you respond to fear.

Every feeling has many degrees or intensities to them; fear is no different. There can be a low level of fear or a high level of fear, but ultimately, no matter what emotional word you may use, fear is fear.

Where does fear come from?

Fear is rooted in our thoughts; thoughts about the future, and our relationship to that future. Fear is a mind based projection, an uneasy apprehension about a future event, whether you will survive it, and if you do, how will you get through it.

Who is having the fear?

In no uncertain terms, it is the mind having the fear based thoughts, and the body is experiencing sensations because of those thoughts. It is the ‘human you’ that is having the fear; it is the ego. It is the transient part of you. It is not the soul or the Absolute you. Your soul KNOWS Oneness. Your soul KNOWS there is nothing to fear. For if we are all one, who and what is there to be afraid of?

What are you afraid of?

There are so many things that humans are afraid of. Some are rooted in logic, past experiences, or the fear could just be one of many phobias that exist. Some people even believe that fear can travel with you from lifetime to lifetime. When you are afraid, there is an adversarial relationship between you and the object of fear. Sometimes, and dependent on the fear itself, it can be addressed through behavior therapies. These therapies are based upon controlled situations and repetitively seeing yourself safe during these situations. For other types of fears and phobias, there is only one remedy or cure, and that is Awareness.

Does fear serve a purpose?

YES! Sometimes the purpose is more ‘profound’ than others, but always, Yes! There is a message with each fear that arises. Fears alert us to possible dangers, and times to be aware. Fear is part of our natural ‘fight or flight’ mechanism. Every human is born with a fight or flight mechanism, which is also part of something bigger: “Life always supports life.” Life wants you to thrive and flourish, it wants you to get the most out of living. The fight or flight mechanism is part of life’s way of supporting you when you are facing potential harm. It should be honored greatly. Also, without fear, you would not be able to experience yourself as a courageous being. Give that idea some consideration!

Sometimes the message is not as profound. Sometimes the fear is not about something that is truly harmful but rather part of your conditionings. Many fears are rooted in our familial and societal conditionings. Many of the things you have been taught to fear are not based upon truth or reality. For example: Parents that grew up during the Depression often passed on the fear of not having enough to their children. Also, parents that have experienced a war may believe that the world is not safe. This can create numerous fears that they teach their children. This has been their experience and they project those experiences into the future, and then teach you those beliefs. In other words, many of the fears that you have been taught are not truly harmful, but rather, something you were taught.

Stay tuned; in the part two of this article, we will be looking at the purpose of fear, and ways to respond to fear with Awareness. But remember until then, fear is nothing to be afraid of!

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About the Author

Vedam Clementi is a Spiritual Teacher, Life Coach, Meditation Coach, Author, and Lecturer. A full recovery from paralysis using spiritual concepts, meditation, and natural healthcare led to Vedam’s spiritual awakening and desire to share what he has learned. Vedam has taught fellow souls for over a decade to leave the past behind, plant seeds for their desired tomorrow, and to be present in each moment as they move through life. Vedam has a unique way of uniting psychological and spiritual tools that support the individual to relate to themselves, others, and life in a new way: openly, lovingly, and authentically. Learn more by visiting www.vedamclementi.com or www.loveliveandlaugh.com.