Fear is an impression of the past reflecting about the future of the present. When people deny fear, they become egocentric; when they recognize and accept fear, they go beyond it... and become free.
Total lack of fear is possible only in utter chaos or utmost orderliness. Neither a fool nor a saint has fear. But everywhere in between there is fear.
Fear is a primal instinct, essential to preserve orderliness in the world. Fear of death preserves life. Fear of wrong keeps the right. Fear of sickness brings hygiene. Fear of misery keeps you righteous. A pinch of fear is necessary to keep things moving smoothly. A child has a pinch of fear so it is careful and alert while walking.
Fear is love standing upside down. Everything that can be interpreted with love can also be interpreted with fear. For example, a child clinging to its mother can be interpreted in both ways - as out of love or out of fear.
The primal instinct of fear can be totally transformed through awareness of Divine Love.
Do not try to eliminate fear! Just meditate and know that you are nobody ... or that you belong to Someone special...
Excerpts from the book An Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar www.artofliving.org