An introduction:
It is natural that we all experience fears when we are presented with situations in our lives that are daunting.
But it is wonderful to know that Paramahansa Yogananda provides in his teachings the tools, and continual encouragement, to enable us to overcome obstacles in our path with balance and poise.
SRF/YSS President Brother Chidananda has said about unhealthy fears that arise: “We don’t pretend that they don’t exist; we don’t ignore them. But when they manifest, we confront them — with courage, with confidence, and with the spiritual methods of neutralizing all fears, all worries and anxieties, through the power of Kriya Yoga.”
In concert with the Kriya Yoga meditation techniques he brought to the world, Paramahansaji prescribed many helpful ways for awakening our victorious, fearless spirit. He invites us to put that wisdom into practice any time we need to do so. Following is a sampling of his guidance:
From the talks and writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:
Never allow fear to produce mental inertia, paralysis, or despondency; instead, let it spur you on to calm, cautious activity, avoiding equally rashness and timidity. ‘Look fear in the face and it will cease to trouble you,’ my Guru [Swami Sri Yukteswar] wisely counseled.
Fearlessness is the impregnable rock on which the house of spiritual life must be erected. Fearlessness means faith in God: faith in His protection, His justice, His wisdom, His mercy, His love, His omnipresence.
Whenever you feel afraid, put your hand over your heart, next to the skin; rub from left to right, and say, ‘Father, I am free. Tune out this fear from my heart-radio.’ Just as you tune out static on an ordinary radio, so if you continuously rub the heart from left to right, and continuously concentrate on the thought that you want to tune out fear from your heart, it will go; and the joy of God will be perceived.
No matter how busy we are, we should now and then free our minds completely from all worries and duties. They should simply be dismissed from the mind. We were not made for them; they were made by us. We should not allow them to torture us. When beset by overwhelming mental trials or worries you should try to fall asleep or, better still, enter into deep meditation. If you can do that you will find upon awakening, or upon concluding your meditation, that the mental tension has been relieved and that the worry has loosened its grip.
Meditate until you become calm; then put your mind on your problem and pray deeply for God’s help. Concentrate on the problem and you will find a solution without going through the terrible strain of worry.
Every night, before you sleep, affirm: ‘The Heavenly Father is with me; I am protected.’ Mentally surround yourself with Spirit and His cosmic energy….Chant ‘Aum’ three times, or the word ‘God.’ That will shield you. You will feel His wonderful protection. Be fearless. That is the only way to be healthy. If you commune with God His truth will flow to you. You will know that you are the imperishable soul.
When the consciousness is kept on God, you will have no fears; every obstacle will then be overcome by courage and faith.
Would you like to learn a technique to draw help and strength from the Divine? You can watch an excerpt from a talk given by Brother Chidananda in Sydney, Australia, in January 2025, in which the SRF/YSS president leads a guided meditation given by Paramahansa Yogananda on how to overcome destructive fear — by attuning ourselves with the positive divine vibrations of God.
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What divine timing! Thank you for sharing Guruji's words and techniques, during a time that is beset with many opportunities to become fearful. Faith over fear! Warriors, not worriers! We are protected by God and Guru's all embracing love and peace! Jai Guru!
Powerful affirmations and Techniques Jaya Guru ji!
So Liberating. Knowing the soul can not be destroyed by this world. We are spirit first, no worldly worries can touch us unless we allow it too. Stay strong brother and sisters. Jai GURU!
I am going to try to apply this to my “second order” fear. That is, my fear of getting into a situation where I’ll feel fearful.
After my strokes, in my 70s, I became fearful of going to deep sleep. This simple technique surrounds me with cosmic consciousness and eases my body, mind and soul into the Lord’s presence.
Thank you so much for this powerful inspirational talk. I am amazed at the synchronicity. We had a very frightful incident few days ago. But these techniques worked wonders. Thank you Guruji and Brother Chidanandaji.
Si todos tuviéramos conciencia de que Dios está en nosotros y nosotros en Él, venceremos el miedo y caerá el velo de Maya, Gracias sabios gurús por sus enseñanzas, son una fuente divina de Amor y Fé. Dios con y en nosotros
I have realised that great fear is being used as a chosen weapon of force against humanity today. I feel fear striking at the impregnable rock on which our spiritual life stands. Thank you for showing us that the only way to be fearless is to know we are protected as the imperishable soul within the Divine Spirit. Thank you for sending us Guru’s methods on how to remain fearless during this time. ❤️
Thank you for sharing these powerful thoughts and techniques from Guruji! Jai Guru!