In 1989 I opened the first free Stress Busters Clinic on the National Health Service in Great Britain. Over the next few years I worked closely with people who suffered stress, anxiety, depression, heart disease, cancer and AIDS. The clinic quickly gained an excellent reputation. We won government sponsorship; the BBC broadcast a 30 minute "Stress Busters" TV documentary; and my book "Stress Busters" became a bestseller.
If I could sum up what I learned, it would be: fear is the root of every illness, every pain and every problem. Look behind every stress, angst and anxiety and you will find fear lurking there. At a certain level, there are no problems, only fear; there are no illnesses, only fear; there are no conflicts, only fear; and, there is no devil, only fear. Heal the fear, and you re-discover your freedom.
Fear is frightening! Even more so if you refuse to look at it. Fear plays tricks on your mind. Perception is easily fooled by fear as it conjures up a hell, magics away all hope, and makes illusions of powerlessness. Fear will dress you up as a victim of the world. Yet, you are not a victim of the world; you are the light of the world. Your light cannot be diminished by any amount of fear.
The most important thing to understand about fear is, fear is yesterday. When you are totally present the mind is perfectly clear and whole. There is no split, no fear, no doubt and no angst. When you are afraid it is because you are not present. Fear is always referencing the past. Fear is always counselling you against the perils of "now" because of something that happened once "before".
Fear is yesterday. For example, I have counselled women who were afraid to start dating again, not because they couldn’t find anyone but because their last relationship was so painful.
Fear is yesterday. I have counselled men who were afraid to commit to marriage, not because there was no love, but because their parents had divorced and they were afraid of the same fate.
Fear is yesterday. I have counselled people who gave up carpe diem for cynicism and defensiveness because of unresolved hurt. Defenses always hide old wounds and old fears.
Fear is yesterday. I have counselled financially well-off people who habitually overwork, not because they need to but because they once had no work, or, because they grew up poor.
Fear is yesterday. I have counselled people who were afraid to start anything new, not because they had no talent but because of past failures and recriminations.
Fear is yesterday. I have counselled people who were afraid to be happy now, because the last time it all ended in tears.
Fear is yesterday. I have counselled people who resisted feeling well again for fear of more pain, more heartbreak and more illness in the future.
Fear is yesterday. I have counselled people who do not follow their dreams because of old self-doubts, old self-criticisms, old beliefs and old fears.
According to the fear lobby (the one inside your head), fear is necessary, fear is good, and fear will keep you safe. In truth, fear is your one and only obstacle to joy. When you give up the belief that fear is necessary, you are letting go of the inner oppression that causes all pain. Healing is release from fear.
Fear is an inside job. It is a form of "small thinking" – an ego virus that blocks inspiration, impairs vision and causes countless errors of judgement. It betrays an allegiance with ego and not your unconditioned Self. Fear is not in things; fear is in the meaning you give things. Hence, fear vanishes when you ask your higher mind to re-interpret all your perceptions, thoughts and meanings for you.
Be present; be powerful. Face your fears and let go of yesterday. Whenever you are in fear ask yourself, "Is this fear a fact, or, is it just a fear?" Remember this – a fear is often a fantasy experienced as real. First, feel the fear. Second, say "Thank you for sharing!"; Third, open yourself up to inspiration, soul guidance, a higher thought and God’s help. Fear is always a call for help.
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