IS FEAR THE CAUSE OF ANXIETY OR ANXIETY OF FEAR?

Amaan - Delhi NCR Study Circle

Hari Aum!

(My understanding of a story narrated by Manish ji)

“Once a man built a house for himself. No sooner than he moved in, he started getting dreams at night that this house is going to be reduced to ashes. Not once but repeated occurrence of this dream, made him have sleepless nights, day after day. His anxiety kept on rising and he thought of consulting astrologers to seek their advice. The astrologers too, told him - “yes, very soon your house will be burnt down”. This convinced him to move out of this house and look for a secure option.

He sold the house and with the money, he rented a small house and kept the balance amount with him. Moving in to a new house, though a small one, definitely gave him peace for a few days, but soon later he started worrying about the balance cash kept with him and again started having sleepless nights. He immediately decided to deposit the money in the bank to ensure its security. For a few days he was relaxed, but again anxiety crept in that what if someone stole the deposit slip and ran away with all the money!

Much to his good fortune, a few days later a sage came to the village and suggested that the village must have a water well, to save all the trouble of going very far to fill water. instead that time could be utilized by villagers for better purposes. This person found it a good idea to put his money in making a well and willingly conceded. The well was constructed much to the joy & happiness of all the villagers. After a few days, he realized that he was not only completely free of all the worry & anxieties, but also enjoyed peaceful sleep at nights. Not only this, he also enjoyed the love and praises, the villagers showered upon him. His good deed had not only fetched him peace, happiness, love & progress in this life alone, but he got entitled to a better world hereafter.”

Amaan: “On the above context, my query to Manish ji – ‘Is Fear the cause of Anxiety or Anxiety of Fear?’ was well explained by him (and as understood by me) through an example whereby it was illustrated that making expenses through a bank – either through UPI, cheques, ATM, etc. are routine and peaceful as long as there is no fear of the bank balance falling below a pre-determined level. This fear creates anxiety.

On the same question, I asked Manish ji to kindly help me understand the situation in Sreemad Bhagwad Geeta, where, Arjun requests Bhagwaan to place his chariot between the two armies, so that he could observe with whom he has to fight. Upon seeing his relatives, friends and accomplices on the other side in the enemy line and upon the very thought of fighting and killing them, he was over powered by an emotional upheaval. He suddenly experienced and exhibited several symptoms of weakness - both physical and psychological. Here, I think he became very anxious which brought fear in him.”

Manish ji’s reply:

(As understood by me):

“It is always fear which comes in the mind first and then anxiety followed by other symptoms. Reference was made to the story narrated today, where the landlord first had a fear of losing his house, which led him to become so anxious that he sold it. Then he had fear of losing all his money got from selling his house, which again brought him sleepless nights due to anxiety. In the same way, in Arjun ji’s, it was the fear of fighting and killing his relatives, friends and accomplices, that brought in anxiety and other symptoms.  

With both the above, my doubts were cleared!”

Hari Aum!