A call to end 'Fear'
The Root of Our Bondage and Liberation
This week’s newsletter focuses on Fear, after landing on it in the game of wisdom – Gyan Chaupar.
The word fear comes from the Middle English word ‘fere’, which traces back to the Old English fær, meaning "calamity, sudden danger, peril, or attack." It has roots in the word pēr, meaning "to try, risk," suggesting that fear is linked to the experience of facing potential danger or risk.
At its core, fear is a survival instinct – a primal response that keeps us safe from harm. It alerts us to potential threats, but in today’s world, this once-protective instinct may now stop us from truly living.
Humans are born with two basic fears: the fear of heights and the fear of loud noises. These instincts are there to protect us from immediate danger. However, all other fears – like those of the dark, clowns, ghosts, spiders, and many more – are learned over time, shaped by our environment and experiences. While these fears may have once helped us survive, they can now hold us back from reaching our full potential.
Fear keeps us alive, but does it allow us to truly live? It can become a barrier, stopping us from achieving what we are meant to do and from becoming who we are meant to be. Fear can hold us back from embracing the unknown, taking risks, and moving forward with courage. The ultimate fear in our modern world is the fear of death – a fear that grows stronger as we age. As we face our mortality, the thought of death becomes more present. Does the fear of dying increase with age? For many, it does. The realisation of time running out often brings the fear of the unknown to the surface.
But how can we overcome the fear of death? How do we move beyond the fear of suffering? Perhaps the answer lies in accepting the present moment, understanding that life is impermanent, and letting go of the attachments that bind us. When we do this, we can free ourselves from the grip of fear and step into true freedom.
Eckhart Tolle, a spiritual teacher known for his sense of fearlessness, offers insight here. He teaches that fear comes from the ego’s attachment to time, to the past and the future. By letting go of this attachment and fully embracing the present, we can transcend fear. Tolle himself achieved this by connecting to the timeless, formless essence of being, beyond the ego’s worries.
Fear is not just something to fight against; it can be a guide. By confronting it, we can learn from it and ultimately free ourselves from its hold. The real power comes from moving beyond fear, into a life of empowerment and freedom.
If you’d like to play Gyan Chaupar and explore these ideas in action, feel free to message me. Reserve your board or poster here: Gyan Chaupar
As usual, below are our 4 thoughts and 2 questions about Fear.
4 thoughts on Fear
From Lao Tzu
There is no illusion greater than fear.
From Vineeta
Fear often comes from unfamiliarity; once you face it, it fades away.
From Franklin D. Roosevelt
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
From Tom
Whatever darkness we precieve in the world, when we trace it back to its root, we will find a person who is afraid.
2 questions about Fear
What are you afraid of?
What would happen if you were to let go of the biggest fear you have today?
If you’ve liked this, please do pay it forward and share it with someone you know.
Much love
Tom and Vineeta
If you’re curious about the game of Gyan Chaupar, find out more and get hold of one of our limited first edition game boards at www.gyanchaupar.co.uk