Pestilence was on its way to Damascus and sped by a chief’s caravan in the desert.
“Where are you are you speeding to?” asked the chief.
“To Damascus. I mean to take a thousand lives.”
On its way back from Damascus, Pestilence passed by the caravan again. The chief said, “It was 50,000 lives you took, not a 1000.”
“No,” said the Pestilence. “I took a thousand. It was Fear that took the rest.”
(Anthony de Mello: Prayer of the Frog, Vol 2)
In the ongoing crisis in world financial markets, there is much that defies understanding and prognosis even of experts. But there is something that is obvious even to the most casual observer and that is the role of fear in the onset and continuation of the crisis.
This is no big secret. We have known all along that a reasonably healthy bank can hardly be ruined by robbers, regulators, natural calamities or even wars. But start a rumour, create fear among its customers, and the mightiest of banks built up over many years can be destroyed in a very short time.
While this applies to all aspects of life, the impact of fear on global trade and economy is there for all to see. There indeed are many other factors at work, but fear the affairs of human beings is pervasive. We saw its impact in the depression in America starting in 1929. We saw its effects in subsequent financial downturns.
While fear has such catastrophic impact, what actions do people take to reverse the situation or improve it? What are the steps taken to raise confidence levels? Initial actions frequently tend to be no more than reactions to a scary situation. We do something that may have worked in the past assuming that it should work is equivalent to flying a plane with last year’s weather chart. We forget that the situation here may be quite different and calls for other responses.
Actions taken in times of fear and under the impact of this powerful emotion tend to be blind and lead us into greater trouble. Panic reactions are not intelligent responses that are designed to yield positive outcome. They can only add more fuel to the fire. What people say and do from fear state obviously does not raise anyone’s confidence. Actions done in fear can only be reactions, never proactive steps that in fact address a situation appropriately.
To meet any situation adequately, we need clarity of perception. We need to see what is really going on. What prevents us from seeing with clarity? Obviously an emotional state like fear would be high on the list, followed closely by another called greed.
Problems are created and experienced at a certain level of consciousness. It is futile to look for solutions at the same level. One has to step aside, move beyond that state, to find positive and practical steps. That is why people with some level of clarity have stepped aside to find the stillness and awareness necessary for understanding a situation and doing what is appropriate. For some that moving away, however temporary, is absolutely necessary, so that can not only see but see through situation. It is such people who can give leadership in situation where others run in fear or act in fear and end up creating panic.
When in the midst of a difficult situation, someone who is fearless, can step aside and speak or act with clarity become leaders. People flock to them or wait for their guidance. This is what we look for in times of crises and when do not know what the right course of action would be.
