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Looking through history, the most prominent fact standing out in the clear light of retrospect is that
man, in many of his activities, has been ruled by fear. Both religion and state have controlled people
by fear. Fear of punishment - whether it be in cell or gallows, or in the vividly imagined fiery hells
of damnation - was the ruler. As mankind evolves toward its potential, we will no longer be ruled
by fear. Mystical students learn that the only thing to fear is fear itself. Impersonal (Divine) love is
the best and most fulfilling way of life.
When we speak of love, we are not referring to the self-centered kind of love which is really only
desire. We are not speaking of that emotion which is centered on the personality and those that the
personality loves. We are speaking of that all-encompassing love that cannot be possessed. This all-
encompassing love holds mankind within itself and directs the constructive activities of mankind.
Imagine, if all the children of the Cosmic, every segment of the Divine, were to live completely by
love, everyone would refrain from harming others, not because of fear of punishment, but because
of respect for the rights of all humanity. We would then be loving our neighbors as ourselves. Let
us take an inventory and see how, in everyday life, we measure up to the balance of love-fear.
Let's start our inventory with the dawning of the new day. When we awaken and face a new day,
are we full of fears? Are we afraid we might have to try something new, or have to learn something
new? Possibly we are afraid of failing in something we must do. Or we might be afraid of criticism
- afraid that others will look down on us. But there is another way of meeting the new day. Why
not meet the dawn happy for the opportunity and challenge? Do we know that with the force of
impersonal love we will have the right action, right motive, right speech, right thought throughout
the day?
Many of us drive cars during the day. When driving, do we obey the traffic laws and rules of
courtesy? If so why? Is it out of fear of punishment? Are we afraid of being caught by the police,
and having to pay a fine or suffer imprisonment? Most traffic laws exist to
protect our safety and
that of others. One outstanding example is the speed laws. It is well known that annually thousands
of people die or are injured by driving too fast. And people who speed are constantly in fear of
being caught by policemen. However if everyone drove under the influence of love, caring for the
safety or people in other cars, caring for the children beside them, there would be far less speeding.
The fear factor would be removed and the speed laws would become guidelines that would be
followed by everyone to protect themselves from harm and to protect others. Fines and other
punishments would no longer be necessary.
There is another form of fear that causes people to break laws, harm others and take their property.
Battery and assault are often committed by persons fearing that they have been wronged and they
seek revenge (retaliation) for the real or imagined wrong. Fear of being without material possessions
can lead to theft. When we learn the true meaning of love, seeking revenge and coveting our neighbor's possessions will have little meaning in life.
Often, someone is slandered in our presence. Gossip and outright lies are told about another person.
When this happens in our presence do we agree with the lies? Do we fear being alone in the defense
of that person who is the subject of gossip? Do we fear to show the truth because others in the group
would not like us? Remember, failure to speak the truth in the face of lies does more than harm the
subject of the gossip - it harms all present, and yourself especially. We know that we acted not
out or love but out of fear.
We have faced several fears of everyday life. We haven't looked at all of them, but we have
examined fear enough to realize what it does to our lives. Let us
abolish fear and all of its destructive
manifestations. Let us use love in all its divine purpose to rule our lives. It is only when we live by
love and not in fear, that we can be truly free. |
