How does one get rid of fear?

The teachings of Ajahn Suchart. 

28th September, 2022

Question:  How does one get rid of fear?

Than Ajahn:   Well, there are a couple ways to conquer fear. If you happen to be feeling fearful, you can use a mantra to stop your fear. 

When you keep reciting a mantra and don’t let your mind think about the things that make you fearful, then the fear will disappear. So, just keep reciting a mantra: Buddho, Buddho, Buddho. Or, you can chant, recite any chants you like.

Your fear arises from your thoughts. If you keep thinking about ghosts, then you’ll think that the ghosts are coming to you. If you stop thinking about ghosts, like right now then you will not be afraid. But if you happen to stay here alone at night, you will start thinking that there are ghosts around here and when you start thinking about ghosts, you’ll become afraid. When you become afraid, the Buddha said that you should chant or recite a mantra to stop your thoughts from creating the fear. 

When you are chanting, you are not thinking about the things that make you afraid, and the fear will disappear when your mind becomes calm: this is the first method.

The second method is to use the truth to conquer fear.

What are you afraid of? The worst thing that can happen to you is death, right? But you cannot run away from death anyway, because sooner or later, you’re going to have to die. If you accept that this is the time for you to die, then you let it be. If you can accept death, you will not be afraid of anything. So, there are 2 methods that you can use to conquer fear.

“Dhamma in English, Jan 12, 2019.”

By Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto
www.phrasuchart.com

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