Fear

Fear (Greek: Φόβος Phobos) or apprehension is a state of mind that results from a concrete present or anticipated real or at least perceived real specific threat. It is therefore also, unlike the general, non-specific feeling of anxiety, usually rationally justifiable and can rightly call for caution, provided it does not reach a strength that paralyses our reason and willpower. However, the transition from fear to anxiety is quite smooth. Anxiety and fear can develop pathologically into phobia. Antonyms are courage, confidence and composure.

Aristotle described in his Poetics that the spectator of a tragedy, by experiencing fear and compassion (eleos) at the tragic fate of the hero, experiences a purification (catharsis) of these very states of mind.

The Origin of Fear

Fear is a concomitant of man's development towards freedom, which arose through the Luciferic influence in the Lemurian period:

„But one also sees how, with the Luciferic influence, man became independent of certain forces to which he had previously been willlessly devoted. He could now make decisions of his own accord. Freedom is the result of this influence. And fear and similar feelings are only concomitants of man's development towards freedom.“ (Lit.:GA 13, p. 256)

Exercises for the elimination of fear

Rudolf Steiner recommends the following exercises for the elimination of fear:

For 4 - 8 weeks, one undertakes in the morning to perform an action that has been thought through in detail at a precisely determined hour in the afternoon. Or, on the first day, one takes on an action, thinks it through in detail on the fourth day and carries it out on the seventh day.

The following exercise is even more differentiated: On the 1st day, one makes the decision to perform a certain action and prepares all physical and character conditions for it. On the 12th day, one creates a vivid idea of the action, thinks it through emotionally and increases this to imagination. On the 19th day, one reflects on one's own powers and abilities. On the 23rd day one gets an overview of possible obstacles. On the 27th, one prepares the action in love and finally carries it out on the 30th day.

Literature

• Rudolf Steiner: Die Geheimwissenschaft im Umriß, GA 13 (1989), ISBN 3-7274-0130-3 English: rsarchive.org German: pdf pdf(2) html mobi epub archive.org
• Rudolf Steiner: Physiologisch-Therapeutisches auf Grundlage der Geisteswissenschaft. Zur Therapie und Hygiene, GA 314 (1989), ISBN 3-7274-3141-5 English: rsarchive.org German: pdf pdf(2) html mobi epub archive.org

References to the work of Rudolf Steiner follow Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works (CW or GA), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach/Switzerland, unless otherwise stated. Email: verlag@steinerverlag.com URL: www.steinerverlag.com. Index to the Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner - Aelzina Books A complete list by Volume Number and a full list of known English translations you may also find at Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works Rudolf Steiner Archive - The largest online collection of Rudolf Steiner's books, lectures and articles in English. Rudolf Steiner Audio - Recorded and Read by Dale Brunsvold steinerbooks.org - Anthroposophic Press Inc. (USA) Rudolf Steiner Handbook - Christian Karl's proven standard work for orientation in Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works for free download as PDF.