Fear!

When Mr Sampath said that fear is society-induced phenomenon, it got me thinking. Was it society that induced fear in our soldiers as they fought in Kargil? Was it society that makes us afraid of standing in front of train tracks? Of course not. But that fear, is not truly fear. It is instinct, and more appropriately, the desire to survive. The desire to live.

That instinct is something found in all animals as well, and is a result of evolution. All animals have a healthy desire to live. From the moment they are born, they will live out their lives with minimum risk, always ensuring that there is as little danger involved. But sometimes the rewards outweigh the risk. A single lion, if hungry enough, may attack a large African buffalo, an animal twice as heavy and much bigger than itself. But that is only in times of desperation and even then, at the first sight of life threatening injuries, the lion will run away. But it will live to see another day.

There are several reports of how babies instinctively know that they have to hold their breath when immersed in water. They are also known to have a crawling reflex. This is substantial proof of how we are born with the same instincts to survive as animals. They are however dulled as we grow up. But society makes up for that by filling us with a hundred new and varied fears, that usually haunts us throughout our lives.

The fear of heights, fear of darkness, fear of failure, fear of public speaking and fear of death are reportedly the most popular phobias.

Fear of heights, some say is natural, because you are afraid of falling to your death and having that fear only aids your survival. However fearing the dark or even public speaking are definitely something artificially injected into the people's minds. I'm convinced that, in trying to ensure that babies don't burn their hands over a flame, or suffer an electric shock, parents pass on their fears into the next generation. So, along with every other characteristic we inherit from our parents (genetically), we also inherit their habits and more importantly, their fears.

Aphobia is described to be that state, when  a mother is not afraid to do anything to save her child. Or when a mother elephant will take on an entire pride of lions to save the baby.

This is definitive proof that we have the capacity to face our fears and overcome difficulties. What it needs though is some dedication and will power. Just like everything in life, we have the potential. Recognizing that potential, and using it to our advantage is the important thing, is Mr Sampath's opinion.