Stray Thoughts on Fear

It is said that the biggest fear a man or woman has is the fear of death. I have never been able to understand this phenomenon. As a doctor, I come across many people, well past 70, who have morbid fear of death. I feel very sad for these people. It is quite understandable if , a young person, who has not yet fullfilled his ambition of living a good life, experiences this fear. What everyone has to understand is that once you are dead, you wont feel the loss. Yes, those who are left behind, especially after an untimely death suffer a lot. Even after 26 years, I have not been able to overcome the death of my brother. People who fear death, die almost daily. I am reminded of what Ghalib wrote, " mujhe kya bura tha marna, gar ek bar hota."
Can one be entirely fearless? Is it prudent to be entirely fearless? Fear is a defence mechanism.Whenever we come face to face with a situation,that our brain recognises as alarming, the endocrine glands secrete several hormones that produce the syndrome, we recognise as fear. Therefore, one should never be ashamed of fear or anxiety. It is natural to be scared. What is required is that we should train ourselves to overcome this fear and do what is expected of us. Fearless people are always in danger of getting into difficult situations. I am reminded of a couplet:-
Jin chiragon ko hawaon ka koi khauf nahin
Un chiragon ko hawaon se bachaya jaye.