I see confidence as a lack of fear and as fear is the greatest obstacle in your spiritual path it is the one I suggest focus on and work on as much as you can. The feeling of being out of control or worse still in the control of some outside force or fear is the worst state to be in. My suggestion for an effective way to clear away fears is firstly get an understanding of their cause – then to face them. This is the only way I have managed to overcome my personal fears. I have attempted all the things that have frightened me the most whether it be going into tunnels and caves, or speaking in front of large audiences, or being near horses. Overcoming a fear is the most enervating and uplifting thing you can do – I promise you. It does wonders for self esteem and confidence.

Your fears are your greatest enemies - they will take away the light in your life, they can stop your progress, they can make you act with aggression to those you love, they can disturb your days and give you nightmares through the long hours of darkness. Make this one of your greatest aspirations – to be without fear. I am not talking about the fear of loud noises, other people’s aggression or danger – these are natural and life saving fears that will spur you to action to protect yourself. I am talking about needless fear that is caused either by your past experiences or generated by other people. If the fear is caused by your past then you need to work through the situation and with the help of counsellors, therapists and healers intend to move beyond it and leave the cause behind you, otherwise you life will be limited in terms of happiness and contentment.

You cannot have true peace if you are vulnerable to attacks of mindless fear. We are bombarded by the words and stimulation of fear mongers every day of our lives, stories and impressions pasted on our sensitive minds and emotions by those that make a living out of stirring up our negativity. Most newspapers thrives on creating fear. Sensational stories and articles on health hazards have been the most popular in the last twenty years. As I am writing this book in Hong Kong we are being paralysed by the fear of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), although in a population in Hong Kong of over 6 million people there are only 30 deaths from this disease it has caught the imagination of the press and as a result the fear induced has bankrupted thousands businesses as people stay away from the island. I sometimes think the fear is more contagious than the disease. In the past we were fed a fear of the demons of the East or West depending on where we lived. The Cold War was a creation of fear by political leaders that was fuelled by the media. Political despots use fear to control their people. Fear controls and is therefore a great tool for those that want to control us in any way. I have just been watching the downfall of Saddam Hussein who with has held his country of Iraq in the grip of fear for thirty years. Its quite amazing to see people some who have lived in terror for their entire lives suddenly become free.

Fear is still the tool used to control whether it be at national level, in the workplace or in the home. You have to manage your own emotions and intend that you will not be hoodwinked and deceived – that you will be able to see the truth behind the deceptions and make your own mind up. At a personal level avoid creating your own demons – face them and see them for what they really are – you will need to work with honesty and clarity to pinpoint the cause of your fear. Most fears will dissipate when confronted and then you can step along your path with confidence.
Fear creates hurdles on our path

(c) The Ripple Effect by Anne Jones, published by Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Ltd. (2003)

The books "Heal Yourself" "Healing Negative Energies" and "The Ripple Effect" by Anne Jones published by Piatkus can be purchased online at www.amazon.co.uk To contact Anne in Hong Kong please contact Zama. Telephone: 2850 6400. Email: info@zamaint.com

For information on the Hearts & Hands Internet Distance Healing Network - contact Lisa Risoli lisarisoli@btinternet.com or for information about Anne's seminars and schedules and the Meditation and Healing Group Network visit http://www.annejones.org. For enquiries about the company Ripple and its products please contact info@make-ripples com

Anne Jones will be available to answer any questions of readers. Please send them to the editor