Controlling Fear after a Diagnosis

By Dr. Bharti Verma

Last Updated: Jan 4, 2005
Articles & News : Articles : Emotional Health

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Whenever a person is informed of a diagnosis of cancer, almost always the first reaction is that of FEAR. One in 9 women face a risk of diagnosis of breast cancer in her lifetime, and one in 27 will die of breast cancer. Yet each person faced with this diagnosis fears that he/she will die from it.  There is one certainty in life for all—inevitability of death. No one can escape death. The only uncertainty is when, how and where one will die. A doctor dies as well a patient; a king dies as well as a servant.

How can one deal with this emotion that affects all?  First, one may just observe the emotion. When an emotion is observed it transforms itself into a corresponding sensation in the body. Fear produces a sensation in the chest region. When it is observed and experienced to its deepest level, it disappears.

If this is too difficult then you may rely on your sense of belongingness. Everything in this creation belongs to The Divine, or to the universe or some such power, including you. Knowing that you will be taken care of makes fear easier to deal with. If this also is too difficult, then rely on your wisdom. Become aware that everything is changing. The world is changing all around you. When you become aware of impermanence of everything, you will gain great strength from this understanding. Fear is hanging on to something that is not permanent and not letting go. Fear is refusal to accept the change that has already taken place. Accepting the change, however, releases you and gives you the courage to deal with what is right now.

Health can be regained by attending to the source of fear: the mind. The mind emanates from consciousness and consciousness is pure love. “Love is not an emotion; it is your very existence. To know love you must be free of fear…” says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder, Art of Living Foundation. When the mind is free from anger, fear and other negative emotions, and more centered, then it can heal any ailment. When you throw a stone in a small pond it creates a big disturbance, but the same stone barely creates a ripple in the ocean. So reach within and become the ocean of love that you already are.  

“Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless in facing them…” Rabindranath Tagore, Fruit gathering.

Dr. Bharti Verma, Family Physician

Teacher, Art of Living Foundation

Halifax, Nova Scotia

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