Does time and the past contribute to fear in life? - 22 September 2008

Does TIME and the PAST contribute to FEAR in one's own life? 
Bharat Bhushan 22 September 2008

Time generally contributes greatly to fear. In this regard, some truths need to be accepted -

• The past no longer exists.
• The past is made of bits of memory. 
• The future is not here, as of now, i.e., today.
• The only truth of existence is that of the present moment.

The mind is aware of its own thoughts. The mind is not helpless. Rather, it actively controls what we perceive as involuntary responses and functions. The mind creates defense mechanisms. The mind creates EGO, to help itself. The EGO is the defensive system of the mind to help it against fear. The EGO produces thought, through the mind, with cognitive memory.

The ego begins to believe in itself, and thereby creates untold damage to the world of the person and family. It thereafter and therefore begins to defend itself. A verbal assault is a mental threat, and are seen as a direct threat by EGO as an attack. In response, the mind and EGO can create hostility.

Ego believes in itself. --> Direct threat to mind --> thereby creates damage --> begins defense

Verbal assaults --> Direct threat to mind --> mental threats --> begins defense --> hostility in response

What is the real damage by verbal attacks on an human organism? NONE. There is no real damage.

We inflict such damage on to ourselves by help of our vivid imagination. Verbal assault is an imagined threat. But, EGO does not differentiate between the real and the imagined. And therefore, EGO feels threatened. So, EGO goes into a loop and stays alert. EGO now searches for more and more stimuli as possible threats. 

The body and mind is now trained by the EGO to do, what can be merely seen as defense. Some are ready to take offence. There are levels of dysfunction. EGO can make your react at the lowest levels. It can lead to a form of mental paranoia. It is EGO's reaction that is more harmful than what is said, felt or thought about. 

EGO is in a constant state of self-enhancement to become more and more secure. It thus seeks more material goods, power, prestige and so on. It begins to search for - contentment, happiness and fulfillment from its acquisitions. This pushes the EGO to seek more. This becomes addictive and insatiable.

There are no intellectual solutions to tackling one's EGO. The mind is not properly equipped to do so. It requires training and persistent practice and most importantly, it requires a teacher. We need to always examine ourselves, especially our mind and EGO. We need to adopt a higher level of forgiveness. This is indeed very difficult. Forgiveness does not intend or imply 'forgiving' a wrongful action or hateful or hurtful situation. The act of "forgiveness" requires one to 'forgive' the hurt and hate within oneself, in order that the burden of memory is removed. 

Do not be judgmental on EGO. The EGO is a segregationist. Higher self sees itself as a part. One has to establish and absorb the essence of compassion. Ego causes most of the problems. One needs to dispense with ones' ego. 

Reference - John Bendix, spiritual writer.