Is it possible for the mind to empty itself
totally of fear? Fear of any kind breeds illusion; it makes the mind dull,
shallow. Where there is fear there is obviously no freedom, and without freedom
there is no love at all. And most of us have some form of fear; fear of
darkness, fear of public opinion, fear of snakes, fear of physical pain, fear
of old age, fear of death. We have literally dozens of fears. And is it
possible to be completely free of fear?
We can see what fear does to each one of us. It makes one tell lies; it corrupts one in various ways; it makes the mind empty, shallow. There are dark corners in the mind which can never be investigated and exposed as long as one is afraid. Physical self-protection, the instinctive urge to keep away from the venomous snake, to draw back from the precipice, to avoid falling under the tramcar, and so on, is sane, normal, healthy.
But I am asking about the psychological self-protectiveness which
makes one afraid of disease, of death, of an enemy. When we seek fulfillment in
any form, whether through painting, through music, through relationship, or
what you will, there is always fear. So, what is important is to be aware of
this whole process of oneself, to observe, to learn about it, and not ask how
to get rid of fear. When you merely want to get rid of fear, you will find ways
and means of escaping from it, and so there can never be freedom from fear.
J. Krishnamurti- On Fear
