Fear is programmed into the nervous system and works like an instinct. From the time we’re infants, we are equipped with the survival instincts necessary to respond with fear when we sense danger or feel unsafe. Fear helps protect us. It makes us alert to danger and prepares us to deal with it.
More than a century ago, the psychologist William James envisioned that emotions correspond to specific mental and biological patterns, while each instance of the same emotion might have a different pattern. Here, anxiety is almost similar to fear, in terms of overcoming this state of tension.
Fear arises from our innate understanding of mortality—the awareness that we are bound to die. Mortality carries a profound sense of loss, as our perception intertwines external objects and thoughts closely with our sense of self. In other words, who I am is directly related to things related to me, i.e. attachment. While specific causes of fear vary among individuals, there are common threads shared by all: the fear of loss, scarcity, failure, or missed opportunities. We have all experienced fear, and it transcends human boundaries, evident in various animal species. Neurobiologically, fear manifests in distinct forms, yet they converge on a universal ecological theme—threat and, ultimately, loss.
From the perspective of the Atman, the witness within, the human intellect born into mortal existence seeks attachment to understand its reality within the constraints of linear time and physical space. As it exists within limited awareness, the intellect can only define itself in relation to the external world. For instance, it identifies as a human, a body composed of flesh and bones, finding joy in music, and requiring work for survival. However, upon closer examination, the true essence of the “I” lies beyond these external elements—it is not defined by them, but rather possesses them. Thus, the fear of loss arises from the potential detachment from these identifications. Fear emerges from this attachment to external identities.
From here we can begin to understand fearlessness, which is very interesting since it draws a distinction between an acquired concept of self, and a far more innate one.
यावद् बद्धो मरुद्देहे, यावच्चितं निराकुलं।
यावद्दृष्टिर्भ्रुवोर्मध्ये तावत्कालं भयं कुतः।
“As long as there is prana in the body, as long as the mind is pure, as long as there is concentration between the eyebrows (meditation), then how can there be fear?”
The shloka breaks the understanding to very bare basics. It states just three things, which are highly interconnected and basic in human design. First it speaks of the prana. Prana is the foundation and essence of all life; the energy and vitality that permeates the entire Universe. Prana flows in everything that exists. Prana is the foundation and essence of all life, that which flows in everything that exists. The flow of Prana in humans is affected by the worries we create for ourselves. The more we feel disheartened or depressed, the weaker the flow of Prana, leaving us more susceptible to illness, and the aging process occurs more rapidly. On the other hand, those who are balanced and content radiate vitality, and their strength reaches out to touch fellow human beings. Therefore, we should always endeavor to radiate positive Prana. When daily practice and a positive way of life merge with each other in such a way that they become one, our practice has become effective and successful.
Then it speaks of purity of the mind. Yoga philosophy can be brought in here. Delving deeper into the nature of attachments and fear, we can explore the concept of purity of the mind, as illuminated by yoga philosophy. The mind, entangled in attachments, seeks to find meaning and understanding in the external world. However, yoga philosophy teaches us that true liberation lies in transcending these attachments and cultivating a purified mind. By observing our identifications and attachments with discernment and detachment, we can gradually unravel the layers that cloud our perception of the self. Through dedicated practice, we strive to purify the mind, untangling it from the web of attachments and allowing the true essence of the self to shine forth, free from the grip of fear.
For example, if you eat poorly, sleep poorly, it will reflect on the mat when you come to practice. If you are inundated by stress, it will show on the mat. The yoga mat is that one place in our lives where we come face to face with ourselves. It’s the place where we will suffer the most because we won’t have the sweet weighted blanket of ignorance to shield us any longer. We must find ways to come into compassion and acceptance within the human design in order to even begin to talk about transforming our lives.
Furthermore, the passage alludes to the practice of meditation by mentioning the concentration between the eyebrows, often associated with the location of the third eye. This reference points to the ability to reign in the senses, as focusing at this point helps in cultivating inner stillness and heightened awareness. Meditation, in this context, is not merely seen as a technique but as a state of being, a profound state of consciousness.
Why is this understanding and practice essential? At first glance, these concepts may appear simplistic but they hold great significance. Through yoga, we choose to walk a transformative journey that requires us to deconstruct numerous notions we have constructed over time. These notions, which fuel our daily lifestyle, often remain unexamined and can lead to confusion and an amplification of fear based on fabricated ideas, this is detachment.
By questioning and examining our beliefs and the constructs we have accepted, we peel back the layers of conditioning. This process allows us to release unnecessary fears and gain clarity, enabling us to approach life with a more authentic and grounded perspective. By delving into these profound teachings and engaging in self-inquiry, we dismantle the illusions that hold us captive and open ourselves up to a more liberated and fearless existence.
So, if there is concentration between my eyebrows and as long as I have breath, why should I fear?