"We classify fear as one of creature's worst enemies, because
it enters our soul, and affects our inner and deepest strength".(1)
 
Part 2 (Final)
 

Through Psychoanalysis, we know that most phobias actually disguise a symbolic danger, the exact object of which is hidden in our subconscious, as a subjective defense, deriving from a real fact into an imaginary danger.

As an example, we mention the case of Hans, a child who was analyzed by Freud, and was "terrified" by horses, which, paradoxically, he admired... In his research, the great Austrian master arrived to the conclusion that for Hans, the horse (strong animal) was a symbolic representation of his father, who lived threatening the child with castration.

Let us quote some phobias:

- Claustrophobia: is the most quoted of all phobias and refers to the fear of closed places: [based on Jung's theory - Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), famous Swiss psychiatrist - this fear is related to birth. The need to be leaving the comfort and cross a narrow tunnel into the unknown ...]; also manifested when in crowds;

- Nosophobia: the fear of getting sick, leading the phobic to think that he is ill; begins with the fear of becoming infected by microbes and, therefore, he does not even stretch out his hand to greet... This quickly leads to hypochondria (obsessed with seeking treatment for nonexistent diseases);

- Agoraphobia: Fear of open and wide spaces: (afraid to move without help);

(When we think about this phobia, we can imagine Christopher Columbus' courage...);

- Altophobia: fear of heights;

- Antropofobia: fear of facing society; the person ends up by living alone;

- Gerontophobia: fear of aging ... and even socializing with the elderly;

- Necrophobia: fear of death, and of the dead;

- Obesophobia: fear of fat (phobia of most of today's young models); almost always leads to anorexia (loss of appetite), and this compromises the immunity system;

- Water phobia: fear of water, rivers, and so on. 

Self-analysis  

With no exception, we all have certain fears...

This always results in some type of unease.

Therefore, we need to "manage" our fears.

We say, "To manage" because it is almost impossible to put an end to them.

First, we have to identify and classify our fears.

Once we have done this, the following step is to find out how and why they appeared.

We must have in mind that Mankind was always confronted with fear and many tried to explain, and to understand to be able to put an end to it.

All failed, and although fear helps us to avoid what is bad for us, it is an instrument of survival of all living beings too. There is a fear that benefits us...

Therefore, fear can be a friend or an enemy.

NOTE: If the person agrees, an analyst can help. We must remember that Spirituality grants blessings by using earthly medicine with its scientific advances. 

If danger is real or imaginary, so will be the fear.

To identify a fear it is necessary to understand how it installed itself, or to put it in another way, how it "appeared", when, how and why.

Often, fear is disguised and it uses symbols, like in dreams, the interpretation of which is questionable due to the symbolism they use to appear to the dreamer.

Our opinion is that all fear can and should be worked to become a unique instrument of balance in our daily lives.

Regarding all fears, if the person cannot master them rationally (self-liberation), the best it to look for counseling:

- In faith: start by praying to God and the Guardian Angel!

- In the family: listen to the experience of parents and closest relatives;

- In spiritual help: look for a spiritual advisor; we suggest attending a Spiritual Center and talking to someone willing to listen with tolerance and brotherhood. We suggest reading the Gospel too.  

In Spiritism  

The Doctrine of the Spirits teaches that we all have an extensive existential past, many lives, which reflect our mental panel of emotions and feelings. This panel is constantly being updated.

With this understanding, the Spiritist can begin, by means of strict and sincere self- regeneration, an intense and ongoing treatment to free himself from his fears, obsessions, phobias, neuroses and eventual psychoses.

In the issue 919 of "The Spirits' Book," the Spirit of Saint Augustine teaches us a precious way of becoming acquainted with our inner selves through observing our daily actions at the end of each day, as well as a constant questioning of our conscience. In the "Introduction" of the same book, he stated regarding our fears: 

"Spiritism shows the reality of things and, therefore, it removes the bad effects of an exaggerated fear."

Considering this reality of things, the Spiritists are able to understand many facts of their present life, and may see that most of it might have its origin in past lives.

NOTE: In psychology, according to CG Jung, already quoted, this atavism is called "shadow", and is characterized by components of personality, formed by instincts that produce unpleasant feelings and actions.  

Knowing that the perisprit guards indelibly what is called "psychic matrices" (important facts of other lives), it is not hard to imagine that present fear may have been originated by a suicide, or by having been a victim. Therefore,  

- Fear of crowds: was this person convicted and maybe even stoned in public?

- Fear of heights: did this person commit suicide by throwing himself or perhaps falling from cliffs?

- Fear of water: did this person drown?

- Fear of closed places: did he die in a dungeon?

- Fear of animals: was he not attacked by some animal?

Furthermore, obsession and its hidden agents weaken the reason of the obsessed. Hence, he becomes vulnerable, and therefore new fears arise... It is at this point that the sincere prayer and self-regeneration help him in reaching God's protection. 

Conclusion  

Fear builds high walls, which are an obstacle and prevent judgment, analysis, reflection and solutions for our daily life, just like a flashlight that turns off in our mind. It causes great blocks and these are an obstacle to our future learning.

Fears are endless, but so are the ways to manage them.

However, there is one common fact: it is necessary to recognize the fear, analyze it rationally and accept it as part of an emotional structure.

If it is real, then prudence will show you how to act.

However, if not real, the one who is afraid must become aware of it by means of self-analysis or counseling, and confront it.

Soon he will arrive to the conclusion that even fear feels fear...

As St. Augustine said, any fear dissolves before faith in a rational confrontation.

We add:

The struggle between fear and reason

Is the same as the wasp against the lion.

It does bother, but it does not win!

 
⁽¹⁾ Governor's Instruction - In: "Our Home" (O Nosso Lar), Andre Luiz / FCX, Chapter 42, pg. 230, 48th Ed., 1998 FEB (Brazilian Spiritist Federation) Rio/RJ.