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XXII. THE FEAR COMPLEX
Happiness is the greatest achievement of life. Each man passes through joy and sorrow. Joy is no great thing because behind every joy lurks some sorrow. Sometimes there is joy, and at other times man is drowned in sorrow. Sorrow, likewise, is not wholly bad since it is invariably followed by joy.
Happiness lies beyond joy and sorrow. Virtually it signifies the purity of the mind. A mind that is pure is not ruffled by joy or sorrow. In a pure sky, there are no clouds, no rain, no hurricane - there is absolutely nothing. The sky is perfectly clear. All is clarity. brightness; all is light. Happiness is a condition of the mind that is quite unsullied. There are, however, many hurdles and dangers. Even a major accomplishment, if attained without effort, loses something of its stature, and is consequently ranked as minor. How many valleys crossed? How many ups and downs? are the questions posed while assessing a great achievement. The destination arrived at when the feet are tired by walking to the breaking point is all the more significant and memorable.
Happiness is a tremendous achievement. Complete absence of fear and happiness go together. They are inseparably linked with each other. Where there is total absence of fear, happiness is bound to be, and where there is happiness, fearlessness is its inevitable accompaniment. The moment fear appears, happiness dissolves.
Man's life is tied to the wheel of circumstance. It is an interminable series without any break. There are seven circumstances which destroy happiness and create fear. It is essential to know these:
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Fear of this world;
fear of the other world; fear of like and dislike;
sudden fear;
fear of suffering;
fear of death; and fear of disgrace.
The first state of fear pertains to the world we live in-the world of human beings. Man fears man. One man creates fear for another. Actually there is no cause for such fear, for basically any one man is like another; both possess a soul, both belong to the same species, both have consciousness, both are endowed with intelligence. So, one man need not fear another. And yet each individual in this world
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