The Other Side of Fear: How Meditation Can Transform It into Strength
What better way to understand fear than to imagine a real-life situation—one you might often find yourself in?
Here’s a simple example:
You’re rereading the presentation you’re supposed to deliver to your colleagues this morning. You’re not ready, and inside, you’re trembling. Your palms are constantly sweaty, and your heart is pounding louder with every passing minute. You can’t concentrate at all on the text in front of you. Not the best feeling, is it? You know you’re afraid—afraid of standing in front of so many people and embarrassing yourself.
I’ve been there too. And one day I realized I had to practice something I had recently learned. So, I sat down with my eyes closed, watched my breath, and meditated for a few minutes. The meditation calmed me, and I felt my inner strength return.
Fear is nothing but a mirror image of love. Think about it—what are you afraid of? Something you dislike or something unknown? For example, if you’re afraid of not completing your task on time, it’s probably because you don’t want your boss to scold you. If you’re afraid to play badminton, maybe it’s because you’re unsure whether you’ll win.
Is there something that can transform your fear into love?
Meditation is what dissolves the seeds of fear.
Let’s see how.
Dissolving the Seeds of Fear
Let go of the baggage from your past.
Have you noticed how something from your past can still bother you in the present? If you’re afraid of dogs, it’s probably because of an unpleasant experience in the past. To avoid going through it again, you purposely stay away from dogs.
Isn’t it fascinating how children aren’t afraid of anything? That’s because they haven’t formed strong impressions about the world yet. But as we grow up, we accumulate both positive and negative experiences, which turn into impressions and then into our personal stories. Some of these become full-blown phobias—fear of the dark, heights, or spiders.
Meditation erases these impressions, memories, and sensations—and sets you free.
“I had a phobia of the dark. I used to feel like someone would attack me from behind. A friend advised me to start meditating regularly—and I did. It’s been almost two years now, and I’m no longer afraid of the dark.”
— Roopal Rana
Face Anxiety Head-On
Let’s say you have an interview in a few days. Have you noticed how you start worrying even before the actual event? You get anxious, and your mind spirals into a whirlpool of uncontrollable thoughts:
“What will happen? What will they ask me? Will I pass?”
This constant bombardment of thoughts makes you fearful. Right?
Meditation calms you down and gives you the inner strength to face any challenge.
It helps you trust that whatever happens, happens for the best—even if it’s something completely unfamiliar.
So what if you don’t pass that interview? You know a better opportunity is waiting for you just around the corner.
Meditation helps you let go of anxiety about the unknown and brings your mind into the present moment—the only moment where action is possible. You can’t act in the future. But with a calm mind, you can take the necessary steps now.
“Meditation was my lifesaver during my MBA exams. I used to fear forgetting everything I had learned. But after I learned to meditate, exams became easy—and my fear of failure vanished like magic.”
— Sahib Singh
One major cause of anxiety is low prana (life energy). Meditation increases your prana levels, and anxiety disappears automatically.
Be Yourself
When we go to parties or fulfill social roles, we often try hard to impress others. We fear the criticism they might throw our way. That’s the ego speaking.
When you’re relaxing with close friends, you feel at ease and authentic. That natural state is the antidote to ego—and regular meditation brings you back to your true self. It makes you genuine.
“I was the only vegetarian in my social group and used to fear being judged. To impress my friends, I even lied that I ate meat. But with regular meditation, I gained the courage to be honest—and now I proudly say I’m vegetarian.”
— Kaamna Arora
A Few Meditation Tips to Free Yourself from Fear
When you’re scared or anxious, that’s when you need a few minutes of meditation the most.
Try the "Hmmm" process—an instant antidote to fear.
Always remember: everything happens for the best.
Practice regularly. A 20-minute daily meditation can help you overcome your fears.
Morning is the best time to meditate. You can meditate anytime during the day, but do it on an empty stomach.
To experience deeper meditation, choose a quiet, peaceful space.
The Other Side of Fear
If you feel a little fear—just relax. Like salt in food, a small amount of fear is essential to keep us virtuous.
Imagine a world where no one was afraid of anything. If students weren’t afraid of failing, would they study? If you weren’t afraid of getting sick, would you take care of your health?
So be wise—and appreciate the value of that little dose of fear within you!
Written by: Divya Sachdev,
With contributions from: Chinki Sen, Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Expert
