FEAR/ਡਰਿ/ਭਉ 

ABSTRACT

In a spiritual sense fear is defined as a feeling of extreme reverence towards a supreme power or even parents when doing something wrong. It may manifest itself as anxiety, agitation or apprehension.  Such disquiet or dread is invoked by the presence or imminence of danger. It can be described as a personal reaction created by the person himself and is real even if invisible. Guru Nanak writes about fear of God and frightening fears in Raag Gauri:

ਡਰਿ ਘਰੁ ਘਰਿ ਡਰੁ ਡਰਿ ਡਰੁ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਸੋ ਡਰੁ ਕੇਹਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਡਰਿ ਡਰੁ ਪਾਇ ॥

Dar Ghar Ghar Dar Dar Dar Jaaey. So dar kehā jiṯ dar dar pā▫e.

Place the Fear of God in the home of your mind, which will frighten away other fears. What sort of fear is that, which frightens other fears?-----Guru Nanak, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 151-7     

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Fear is an emotional anxiety experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger.  It is accompanied by a desire to flee or fight.  Fear could be healthy and positive or unhealthy and negative. Instead of love, one may have a fear of God caused by the emotional ego.  It is because he expects punishment for his sins.  It is demanded by his guilt at having done some injustices to the others. Fear can lead to our insecurities, arrogance, and intolerance of the others. This evil poisons the very fiber of our existence. Fear robs of our healthy relationships with God and the others.   It prevents us from reaching our full potential.  But it is up to us to get the ball rolling or not.

If we live in our fears and let them rule us, it proves we have no faith in God.  We can let go of our fears, put our faith in God to make a way for us where there seems to be no way.  God does not promise the transition will be smooth, or easy. Fear saps our energy and distorts our perception of reality. Fear makes us vulnerable. Fear is never our friend. Fear causes pain and torment. When "perfect love of God casts out the fear," freedom and release are overwhelming.  It’s not bad to fear, but it's a shame to live in fear.  God has given us a tremendous solution.  If we rely upon Akal Purkh, we have freedom from fear.

When the heart is cheerful, it cannot be filled with fear, and without fear the way ahead seems more distinct and clear. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, and fear not!"-----Isaiah 35:4

Guru Nanak describes in Raag Asa in detail about the Command of God as Its fear. Fear is also called Laws of Mother Nature and under its control are wind, rivers, fire, earth, clouds, sun, moon, sky, warriors and other demigods.  The writ of Its Will is inscribed on the fore-heads of all, but the True Formless God alone is fearless.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 464

ਵਿਣੁ ਭੈ ਪਇਐ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥

ਸਬਦਿ ਰਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਈ ॥
Vin Bhai Paeyaa Bhagat Na Hoyee, Sabd Ratay Sadaa Sukh Ho-ee.

Without the Fear of God, there is no devotional worship. By being imbued with the Word of the Sabd one attains eternal peace.-----Guru Nanak Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 831-9 
                   

ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਤਾ ਸਹਜੈ ਕੈ ਘਰਿ ਆਇਆ ॥

Bhai Vich Nirbhou Paeyaa, Taa Sahjai Kai Ghar Aa-i-aa.

Through the Fear of God, one attains the Fearless Immortal God, then, one enters the home of celestial bliss.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Sorath, AGGS, Page, 599-11

Fear may not go away.  One has to outgrow the fear and move on. Through a prayer one asks for Its guidance.  “What would God want me to be?” is the question we all must ask.   One must go deeper than merely change one’s actions; he needs to change his thought patterns so his pattern of actions or habits changes.

ਭਉ ਤੇਰਾ ਭਾਂਗ ਖਲੜੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਚੀਤੁ ॥

ਮੈ ਦੇਵਾਨਾ ਭਇਆ ਅਤੀਤੁ ॥

Bhou Tera Bhang Khalrhi Mayra Cheet, Mai Daywana Bhayia Ateet.

O, Immortal God, Your fear is my marijuana. My consciousness is the pouch, which holds it. I have become an intoxicated hermit.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Tilang, AGGS, Page, 721-10

ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਏ ਮੇਦਨੀ ਆਪੇ ਕਰਦਾ ਸਾਰ ॥

ਭੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਕਟੀਐ ਨਾਮਿ ਨ ਲਗੈ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਭਉ ਊਪਜੈ ਪਾਈਐ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰ ॥ 

ਭੈ ਤੇ ਸਹਜੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਮਿਲਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਅਪਾਰ ॥

ਭੈ ਤੇ ਭੈਜਲੁ ਲੰਘੀਐ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥

ਭੈ ਤੇ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਪਾਈਐ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰੁ ॥

ਮਨਮੁਖ ਭੈ ਕੀ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਜਲਤੇ ਕਰਹਿ ਪੁਕਾਰ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਵੈ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰ ॥੨੨॥

Āp upā▫e meḏnī āpe karḏā sār.Bẖai bin bẖaram na katī▫ai nām na lagai pi▫ār.Saṯgur ṯe bẖa▫o ūpjai pā▫ī▫ai mokẖ ḏu▫ār.Bẖai ṯe sahj pā▫ī▫ai mil joṯī joṯ apār.Bẖai ṯe bẖaijal langẖī▫ai gurmaṯī vīcẖār.Bẖai ṯe nirbẖa▫o pā▫ī▫ai jis ḏā anṯ na pārāvār.Manmukẖ bẖai kī sār na jāṇnī ṯarisnā jalṯe karahi pukār.Nānak nāvai hī ṯe sukẖ pā▫i▫ā gurmaṯī ur ḏẖār. ||22||

God Itself creates the world, and Itself takes care of it. Without the Fear of God, doubt is not dispelled, and love for the Name is not embraced. Through the True Guru, the Fear of God wells up, and the Door of Salvation is found. Through the Fear of God, intuitive ease is obtained, and one's light merges into the Light of the Infinite. Through the Fear of God, the terrifying world-ocean is crossed over, reflecting on the Guru's Teachings. Through the Fear of God, the Fearless God is found and has no end or limitation. The self-willed do not appreciate the value of the Fear of God. Burning in desire, they weep and wail. O Nanak, through the Name, peace is obtained, by enshrining the Guru's Teachings within the heart. ||22||-----Guru Nanak, Raag Pabhati, AGGS, Page, 1287-1288

ਜਿਨਾ ਭਉ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਨਾਹਿ ਭਉ ਮੁਚੁ ਭਉ ਨਿਭਵਿਆਹ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਏਹੁ ਪਟੌਤਰਾ ਤਿਤੁ ਦੀਬਾਣਿ ਗਇਆਹ॥

Jina Bhou Tin Nahin Bhou Mouch Bhou Nibhviaah, Nanak Ayh Patantra Tit Deeban Gai-aah.

Those who have the Fear of God, have no other fears; those who do not have the Fear of God, are very afraid. O Nanak, this mystery is revealed at the Court of the Immortal God.-----Guru Angad, Raag Suhi Ki Vaar, AGGS, Page, 788-2, 3

To let go, one needs to do the opposite of fighting and resisting.  He needs to let go of his demands and expectations for how life should be and make peace with the way life as is.

ਭੈ ਪਇਐ ਮਲੁ ਕਟੀਐ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਰੀਰੁ ॥

ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਬੈਸੈ ਭੈ ਰਹੈ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਕਾਰ ॥

ਐਥੈ ਸੁਖੁ ਵਡਿਆਈਆ ਦਰਗਹ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰ ॥

ਭੈ ਤੇ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਪਾਈਐ ਮਿਲਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਅਪਾਰ ॥

Bhai Paeyaa Mal Kateeai Nirmal Hovai Sareer, Bhai Vich Baisai Bhai Rahay Bhai Vich Kamaavai Kaar, Eaithai Sukh Vadia-ee-aa Dargeh Mokh Duaar, Bhai Tay Nirbhou Paeyai Mil Jotee Jot Apaar.

The Fear of God washes the filth of the body and the body becomes immaculately pure. One who dwells in the Fear of God, lives in the Fear of God, and acts in the Fear of God. He obtains peace and glorious greatness here, in It’s Court, and at the Gate of Salvation. Through the Fear of God, the Fearless God is obtained, and one's light merges in the Infinite Light.-----Guru Amar Das, Gujri Ki Vaar, AGGS, Page, 516

ਜਗੰਨਾਥ ਜਗਜੀਵਨ ਮਾਧੋ ॥
ਭੌਜਨ ਰਿਦ ਮਾਹਿ ਅਰਾਧੈ ॥

Jagan Nath Jagjeevan Maadhu, Bhou Bhanjan Rid Maeh Aaradho.

Jagan Nath (The Creator of the world/Immortal God), Madhva, who is the life of the world, the Remover of the Fear, always remember It in the heart.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 897-2

One may classify events in one’s life in two categories.  One category is for those events about which one can do something to change them.  In the other category are events that must be accepted as they are. If one can do something to make a change to his liking, obviously he should.  Otherwise he is wasting good moments in just worrying about it.  One living in fear cannot live the life to its fullest.

The experience of love of God is an inner state. When this is present, one is happy, alive and free. One feels good about himself and good about life. As one brings the experience of love of God into his life, life works effortlessly and great things happen. The opposite of love is fear.  It upsets one’s life.  He may get a tunnel vision and he may react in a way that almost always makes the situation worse. Whether one lives in a state of love or a state of upset depends, not on his circumstances, but on how he responds to them.  He has a choice to make -- adopting a negative attitude or adopting a positive attitude.

To experience love, and to create a life that succeeds, one needs to stop fighting and resisting.  One can do this through "letting go," which is the inner action that releases the fear. The moment you let go, everything seems to change. With the fear gone, one sees the same situation very differently and becomes creative and discovers solutions that he could never have seen before.

There is never any need to apologize for depending on one’s creator. This faith in God is not a sign of weakness, it require courage and strength.   Of course a self-willed person would argue the opposite.  A humble person only has to ask “God” to remove his fear.

Fear is of course is a personal reaction.  It is real in its effect, even if it is invisible and of one’s own creation.  There may be nothing to fear except for the fear itself. In such a state, one’s mind stops denying reality.  This could have a positive or a negative impact depending upon what one fears losing.

Normally, we are afraid of:
1. Losing what we have. (Materialism)
2. Not getting what we want. (Desire)
3.  Being found out. (Guilt)
Fear is positive when one is led to a realistic appraisal of a true danger.  If one is standing at the edge of a roof of a fifteen-story building, the fear of falling and getting hurt is genuine.  So fear may lead to caution. However if he is behind a well-sealed and safe window and still freezes in panic, the fear is irrational and unhealthy.  One may have to seek a cure for this phobia. 

Types of fear:

Categories of fear are many -- emotional, physical, psychological or baseless.  One can be fearful of heights, or of inadequate sexual performance.  He could fear darkness or be Claustrophobic.  Some types of fears are rational, others irrational.

Why do we have fears? Is it because self-reliance failed us?  Perhaps self-will and self-confidence did not solve the problem we faced.  So, now we turn to God and have to depend on Its Will.  Now we learn to trust the infinite God rather than our limited self -will.  We need to be prepared to do Its bidding and humbly rely on It. We have to do our part in following the directions It gives us. We have to place importance to the spiritual side of the life rather than material. Action is what is needed, rather than some philosophical reflection of the faith in words.  It is possible to have faith and still deny Its entry into our lives. 

Let us never fear the change in ourselves, we need. We have to differentiate between changes for the better or worse. Once it becomes clear for a change for spiritual progress, we cannot stand still and look the other way.

“Thus all fears, and all infinite sufferings, arise from mind”. It is not possible to control all external events, but if one simply controls his mind, there is no need to control other things.”-----Buddha  

The essence of all spiritual growth is a willingness to perform one’s duty -- to do whatever one is responsible for. “Whenever anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, the hand of Sikhism should be there.”  Sikhism is not about becoming angels but better human beings.   With spiritual growth, one develops traits of good character. In Sikhism, it is not what is in one’s resume that matters, but the character in action that counts. Divine ordinance does not make one exempt from responsibilities of being a decent person.   

ਭੈ ਕਉ ਭਉ ਪੜਿਆ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ॥
ਸਗਲ ਬਿਆਧਿ ਮਿਟੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਹੁ ਗੁਣ ਕੀ ਦਾਸ ਕੇ ਹੋਏ ਪੂਰਨ ਕਾਮ ॥  

Bhai Kaou Bhou Parhyia Simrat Har Naam, Sagal Bi-aaDh Mitee Tarihu Gun Kee Daas Kay Ho-ay Pooran Kaam.

Fear itself becomes afraid, when the mortal remembers God's Name in meditation. All the diseases of the three Gunas -- the three qualities - are cured, and tasks of the It's slaves are perfectly accomplished.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Bhairo, AGGS, Page, 1151-7                                          

Conclusion:

Let no one ever fear a needed change in his self.  Certainly we have to differentiate and discriminate between changes for the worse and changes for the better.  When arrogance appears due to insecurity of some kind, fear and disgrace follows. Arrogance minus fear yields self-confidence. Righteousness is the goal and not the starting point. But once a need becomes clearly apparent in a group or in an individual, there is no standing still and looking the other way.

ਭੈ ਬਿਚਿ ਭਾਉ ਭਾਇ ਕੋਊ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਭਾਈ ॥

ਜੇਤੇ ਘਟ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਮਹਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਪੀਆਈ ॥
Bhai Bich Bhaou Bhaaey Ko-ou Boojheh Har Ras Paavai Bhaaee, Jaytay Ghat Amrit Sabh Hee Meh Bhaavai Tiseh Pee-aa-ee.                                                         

In the Fear of God, is the Love of God?  Only those few who understand God’s Love obtain the sublime essence of It, Brothers. As many hearts as there are - in all of them, is Its Ambrosial Nectar, when pleased makes the individual to drink it.-----Kabir, Raag Kedara, AGGS, Page, 1123-15                                                                                                              

This is the day to look ahead and recognize that you are not the person you used to be, not yet the one who you want to be.  But with God's help, you will become the person It wants you to be.