We have forgotten the difference between fear and caution. Keep faith in God to rid of fear and become peaceful, says AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI
I hope that we can return to the normal mood sooner than later. But this does not mean that we can eliminate the danger of Coronavirus in a hurry. No, we cannot do that. The danger is very real and must be accepted as such. Our problem is that we have forgotten the difference between fear and caution. We must always be cautious as we are personally being advised also, but no one is remotely suggesting that we should become fearful or paralysed with fear. This is not human intelligence.
Therefore, let us separate caution from fear. Cautious we must be always including now but fearful we should never be. But we become fearful helplessly. We do; don’t we? Let us understand the mechanics of how fear works in our minds. Something fearful comes into our minds, and we give it shelter, i.e. do not deal with it rationally. This means that our minds have turned into our enemies, about which Lord Krishna has spoken in the Bhagawad Gita. (6.5-6) Sure enough, this affects our bodies like it affected Arjuna’s. Gandiva was slipping out of his hand, his skin was also burning, he was unable to remain standing and his mind was reeling. (1.30) Now we have a serious problem, that is the mind is generating negative energy, which is affecting the body adversely.
How should we counter it? We can learn from Arjuna’s example. Arjuna became fearful due to the likely deaths of his relatives and friends and that too on a very large scale. We are also placed similarly. There is danger of the virus affecting our friends and relatives. So what did Arjuna do? To begin with, he accepted his condition. Then, he requested Lord Krishna to guide him; help him. He said, “Please instruct me, who has taken your shelter.”(2.7) Lord Krishna did exactly that. He told Arjuna about how the human mind works; it can become one’s friend and also an enemy. Then, the Lord went on to tell Arjuna how this mind can be made a friend by turning to God — the ultimate solution. The Lord said, “Develop My consciousness; become My devotee and offer obeisance to Me.” (18.65) Arjuna wisely accepted God’s instructions and said, “I am free from doubt, I am composed, and I shall follow your instructions now. (18.73)
Though we are not faced with any war but are similarly face to face with a pandemic. And our minds are generating fear, a lot of it. Our bodies are getting affected due to the negative energy generated by our fearful minds. There is an overarching mood of sadness. So we should follow Lord Krishna’s instructions by developing God consciousness, becoming devotees of God and pay obeisance to God. As we are all different, we can choose to do in our own ways what the Lord has instructed, that is what suits us. I will cite my personal example. I have placed photos of God of His many incarnations in my room. I also chant God’s names and also some mantras. When I look at God’s photo/photos or chant God’s names or some mantras or do both simultaneously, a miraculous change begins to take place. My soul, that is, me — a higher entity than my mind gets into act. The soul is now connected to God. This brings the ananda characteristic of soul to the fore. The process generates positive spiritual energy and the negative lower mental energy is countered and made ineffective. I gradually become composed and peaceful.
Believe me this is that simple but the practice must be done with faith and for some period till the effect is felt. But it will surely happen. It cannot fail. Both God and souls are realities. The moment we link with God, His energy begins to flow into us. Our ananda part is activated. Fear — a lower energy form is countered and we become peaceful, become composed. Just do it and reap its benefits as I am blissfully doing.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com
