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SOURCES OF FEAR
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From the four mainsprings of scar result fatalism of circumstance, belief in the doctrine of Karma and that of fruition in time.
Most of the time a man is obliged to adjust himself according to his circumstances, reacting to different stimuli. A man is compelled by circumstances to move in a particular direction, with little interference by his awakened intelligence. Mature intelligence starts functioning only when one's very existence is threatened. In that case, it becomes very active; otherwise it goes on at a medium pace.
Most fears are the creation of circumstances. A particular situation arises. A disease spreads and the mind is afflicted with the fear of that disease. The visualisation of old age fills the mind with the fear of old age. We see something and the fear of that is stamped upon the mind.
Lao Tse, the great preceptor of Tao religion came across a horseman during his travels. Lao Tse asked him, "Who are you, brother?"
The horseman said, "I'm the Plague." "Where are you going?" "I'm going to Shanghai." "What will you do there?" "I'm going to kill ten thousand people."
Lao Tse went ahead. The horseman also moved on. Some days elapsed.
On his return journey, Lao Tse came across the same horseman.
Lao Tse said, "So, you are back?" "Oh yes, my task is over."
"Why did you tell me a lie? You said you were going to kill ten thousand people?"
"Yes, I did. I never told a lie."
"But you did, for fifty thousand people fell victim to the plague in Shanghai."
"Of course what you say is true. Fifty thousand did die in Shanghai. But, Sir, I was responsible for the death of only ten thousand. The remaining 40 thousand died of fear! What could I do? I never told you a lie."
It is true that certain situations infect a man with fear. Something happens at one place - it might be an explosion — ar the man in a remote place on hearing of it suffers a heart failure. An incident takes place. An eyewitness is not much disturbed, but a distant hearer dies of shock. This is living on the periphery.
We need not discuss fear too much because those who constantly indulge in such discussions are infected by fear. We are aiming at complete freedom from fear.
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