Recorded at the Vedanta Society of Western Washington on September 15, 2013.
Swami Bhaskarananda examines the nature of fear and the means by which it can be reduced or overcome, beginning with the biblical story of David and Goliath to illustrate that fearlessness does not arise solely from physical strength. He argues that fear is rooted in anticipation and attachment—specifically, the fear of losing what one values or identifies with. Drawing on psychological observations and Vedantic thought, he explains that as long as a person identifies primarily with the body and mind, fear, including the fear of death, cannot be fully eliminated. True fearlessness, he notes, arises from a deeper understanding of one’s spiritual nature, which is described in Vedanta as birthless, deathless, and independent of the body-mind complex.
The lecture then outlines the four classical yogas—knowledge, meditation, devotion, and selfless action—as practical disciplines for reducing fear by purifying and strengthening the mind. Through philosophical reflection, mental discipline, devotion to God, or unselfish work, attachment gradually weakens and fear diminishes. Swami Bhaskarananda also offers practical guidance for daily life, including rational thinking, cultivating positive emotions, and avoiding habitual focus on negative possibilities. He concludes by emphasizing that while complete fearlessness belongs to the highest spiritual realization, even partial understanding and disciplined practice can significantly lessen fear and bring greater calm, clarity, and confidence in ordinary human life.
