Freedom from Fear

The biggest fear an individual has to deal with is impermanence. We live in a constant changing world and nobody knows what to expect next. We desire something permanent to alleviate the fear. For instance, in Western civilization, our ancestors has generated a concept known as private property. Many focus on the aquisition of things, to have things that seem permanent creates an illusion of having permanence. I buy this house, therefore, I have a permanent residence. When old age settles in and the kids think you are just not safe enough living on your own, the house is sold and you get packed off to a board and care facility, while the excess wealth is used to buy the kids security from the fear of impermanence. They have a nice condo in a popular area, and I have pokers players to remembers the good ole days.

Lack of job security is another one of those fears we have. I am constantly trying to upgrade my skills. I do not upgrade them for a job, they help, but I look more for knowledge. Knowledge can evolve into wisdom or lessen to have a good paying job, to lessen the fear of impermanence. "The one who dies with the most toys wins." Our toys can not go with us to the afterlife. The ancient Pharoahs of Egypt built massive monuments to be remembered by humanity and hold their money for a trip to the afterlife. The only trip they are making is to another museum to be gawked at by little kids on a day trip away from school. The leaders of great civilization reduced to a pile of decaying clothes and bones with the chance of having a buger from little Johnny added to their wealth.

How does one find freedom from fear? That does not mean waiting to die and go to heaven, but to experience heaven now on earth. I read the bible to confirm my understanding of freedom from fear, but there are still those things that go "bump in the night" that causes me to have fear. One thing that I found interesting, but have not looked deeply into the concept, is the rise of demonic figures in Western Christian Religious art. Has hell been rising with the growth of Christianity? Weeds and Wheat growing together waitng for Christ to return. A person can say my faith in Christ is an illusion. It is difficult in this age of science to describe my peace of mind, it is an idea/spirit that can not be understood with physics.