Sadhguru throws light on fear and insecurities and how to overcome them.
Article | May 12, 2001
Sadhguru: Fear and insecurity are universal experiences that every human being encounters at some point in their lives. These emotions can stem from childhood experiences, societal pressures, or personal failures. They are often so deeply rooted in our psyche that they dictate our actions, thoughts, and decisions, ultimately shaping our reality in limiting ways. However, both modern psychology and ancient tantric wisdom provide valuable insights and methodologies to address and overcome these debilitating emotions.
In this article, we will explore the psychological mechanisms that fuel fear and insecurity and how one can begin to heal and release these emotions. Moreover, we will delve into the tantric approach, which offers a more profound spiritual methodology for dissolving fear and insecurity, leading to a state of freedom, self-realization, and empowerment.
Understanding Fear and Insecurity
Before we delve into how to leave fear and insecurity behind, it’s essential to understand their root causes. Fear is a primal emotion designed to protect us from danger. In evolutionary terms, fear helped our ancestors survive by avoiding threats in the environment. However, in the modern world, many of the fears we face are not immediate physical dangers but psychological and emotional threats. These fears manifest as social anxieties, fear of failure, fear of abandonment, and other internalized insecurities.
Insecurity, on the other hand, is often the result of unresolved emotional traumas and conditioning. Insecurity is the feeling of not being "enough"—not smart enough, attractive enough, successful enough, or lovable enough. It is a deep-seated belief that we are lacking something essential, leading to chronic self-doubt and low self-esteem.
Psychological Understanding of Fear and Insecurity
Psychologically, fear and insecurity stem from several sources:
Conditioning: Many fears are conditioned into us from childhood. We learn from parents, teachers, and society what is "acceptable" behaviour and anything outside these norms can invoke fear of rejection or failure.
Trauma: Past trauma, whether physical or emotional, leaves imprints on the brain. This can lead to hyper-vigilance and the constant anticipation of danger.
Cognitive Distortions: Insecurity often arises from cognitive distortions—irrational thoughts that make situations seem more threatening or significant than they are. For example, “I failed once; I will always fail” is a distorted thought that fosters insecurity.
Lack of Self-awareness: Often, we are unaware of the underlying emotions and beliefs that fuel our fears and insecurities. We become reactive rather than proactive, living under the shadow of unconscious anxieties.
Examples of Fear and Insecurity in Daily Life
Fear of Failure: One of the most common fears is the fear of failure. This fear can prevent someone from taking risks or pursuing their dreams because the potential for failure feels too overwhelming. People with this fear might stay in unsatisfying jobs or relationships because the fear of the unknown seems more threatening than the dissatisfaction with their current reality.
Fear of Rejection: Many individuals suffer from a fear of rejection, particularly in relationships. This can manifest in people-pleasing behaviour, avoidance of intimacy, or overcompensation through trying to control others.
Fear of Judgment: Social anxiety is another widespread form of fear. The fear of being judged or criticized by others can prevent someone from expressing their true self. They may avoid public speaking, refrain from sharing their opinions, or hide aspects of their identity.
Insecurity about Appearance: In a world obsessed with external beauty, many people feel insecure about their physical appearance. This can lead to eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and chronic dissatisfaction with oneself.
Insecurity in Relationships: Relationship insecurities can stem from past abandonment or betrayal. People with deep insecurities often experience jealousy, possessiveness, or clinginess, which further strains their relationships.
Psychological Methods for Overcoming Fear and Insecurity
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely used psychological technique to address irrational thoughts and cognitive distortions that fuel fear and insecurity. By identifying negative thinking patterns, individuals can begin to challenge and reframe these thoughts into more balanced perspectives.
For example, instead of thinking, “I failed once, so I will always fail,” a person could reframe the thought as, “Failure is a part of learning, and I can use this experience to grow.”
Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness practices help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without being consumed by them. By observing fear and insecurity as transient emotions rather than permanent states of being, one can reduce their grip. Mindfulness teaches the principle of detachment from negative self-talk, enabling a person to develop greater emotional resilience.
Daily meditation practices, especially focusing on breathwork, can help calm the nervous system, reducing the physiological responses to fear.
Exposure Therapy
One of the most effective methods for overcoming fear is exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing oneself to the source of fear in a controlled way until the fear diminishes. For example, someone afraid of public speaking might begin by speaking in front of a small group of friends before gradually increasing the size of the audience.
Building Self-Awareness Through Journaling
Self-awareness is key to overcoming insecurities. By journaling, individuals can reflect on their fears, where they come from, and how they manifest in their behaviour. Writing down fears and insecurities allows for greater clarity and can reveal irrational patterns that can be consciously challenged.
Self-Compassion
Many insecurities arise from an internal harshness and judgment towards oneself. Practising self-compassion involves treating oneself with the same kindness and understanding that one would offer a friend. By cultivating self-love and acceptance, individuals can soothe the inner critic that fuels insecurity.
The Tantric Approach to Overcoming Fear and Insecurity
While modern psychology offers practical tools for managing fear and insecurity, tantra provides a more spiritual and profound path to freedom. Tantra, unlike many other spiritual traditions, does not seek to transcend the physical world or dismiss emotions as mere distractions. Instead, tantra embraces all experiences—including fear and insecurity—as opportunities for transformation.
Tantra views fear and insecurity as manifestations of blocked or unbalanced energy. In tantric philosophy, every human being contains a divine energy called Kundalini Shakti, which resides at the base of the spine. When this energy is dormant or blocked, it gives rise to fear, insecurity, and other emotional imbalances. When the Kundalini is awakened and allowed to rise through the chakras (energy centres), one can transcend fear and insecurity, experiencing a state of spiritual liberation.
Tantric Methods for Overcoming Fear and Insecurity
Chakra Work
According to Tantra, there are seven major chakras in the human body, each corresponding to different aspects of our physical, emotional, and spiritual life. Fear and insecurity are often associated with imbalances in the Root Chakra (Muladhara) and the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura).
Root Chakra (Muladhara): Located at the base of the spine, the root chakra is responsible for feelings of safety and security. When this chakra is blocked, one may experience fear, anxiety, and insecurity about survival needs (food, shelter, etc.). Practices like grounding meditation, visualizing the colour red, and engaging in physical activities such as yoga can help balance the root chakra.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Located around the navel, this chakra governs personal power and self-esteem. When this chakra is blocked, one may feel powerless, insecure, or incapable. Breathing exercises (pranayama), chanting mantras, and working with the colour yellow can help activate this chakra, restoring confidence and inner strength.
Tantric Meditation on Fear
In Tantra, meditation is not about escaping or suppressing emotions but about fully embracing and integrating them. Tantric meditation on fear involves sitting with the fear, breathing into it, and allowing it to expand. By confronting fear head-on, one begins to realize that fear is merely energy—a sensation in the body that can be transformed.
For example, a tantric practitioner might meditate on their fear of death by visualizing their death and embracing the impermanence of life. This practice can help dissolve the fear by bringing the individual into direct contact with their own mortality, leading to a deeper acceptance of life as it is.
Mantra Chanting
Mantras are sacred sounds or phrases that are used in tantra to focus the mind and direct energy. The repetition of mantras can help dispel fear and insecurity by calming the nervous system and activating higher states of consciousness. One of the most powerful processes is Invoking your Siddha Guru and chanting the Siddha Mantra given by the Siddha Guru, which invokes divine wisdom and protection.
Another mantra often used in tantric practices to dissolve fear is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, a healing mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said to protect against fear, death, and calamity, bringing a sense of security and peace.
Yogic Practices
Tantra heavily incorporates yogic practices to awaken the Kundalini energy and bring balance to the body and mind. Certain asanas (yoga postures) can help release stored fear and insecurity from the body. For instance:
Balasana (Child’s Pose): This pose is a nurturing and grounding position that helps relieve tension and anxiety.
Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose): This pose strengthens the body and builds confidence, helping to dispel feelings of powerlessness and insecurity.
Rituals and Sacred Symbols
Tantric rituals often involve the use of sacred symbols (yantras) and objects to help the practitioner overcome fear. For example, the Sri Yantra is a sacred geometric symbol representing the universe and can be used to meditate on feelings of insecurity. By focusing on the yantra, the practitioner aligns their consciousness with cosmic order, dissolving feelings of separation and fear.
A Journey to Freedom
Leaving fear and insecurity behind is not a one-time event but a gradual and ongoing process of self-discovery and transformation. While modern psychology offers valuable tools for understanding and managing these emotions, tantra provides a deeper spiritual framework that embraces fear and insecurity as integral parts of the human experience.
By working with the mind, body, and spirit through practices like meditation, chakra balancing, mantra chanting, and yogic postures, one can release the emotional and energetic blocks that fuel fear and insecurity. As the practitioner moves through this process, they awaken to their true nature—a nature that is beyond fear, beyond insecurity, and rooted in the boundless, fearless essence of the divine.
Ultimately, the path of overcoming fear and insecurity leads to a profound state of freedom—a freedom not just from external circumstances but from the limitations of the mind and the illusions that have kept us bound. Whether through the psychological or tantric approach, the journey is one of courage, self-compassion, and awakening to the limitless potential within.
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