Why Fear is Shaped Differently in Eastern and Western Societies

Fear is a primal human emotion that can be caused by real or perceived threats. However, what is perceived as a threat may differ from one person to another and even more so from one society to another. In this blog post, we will explore the differences in how fear is shaped in Eastern and Western societies, why this is the case, and how we can overcome these fears.

What is Fear?

Before diving into how fear is shaped differently in Eastern and Western societies, let us define what fear is. Fear is a natural human emotion that occurs when we perceive a threat, whether real or imagined. It can trigger our “fight or flight” response, causing us to take action to protect ourselves. Fear can be helpful in some situations, but it can also be debilitating, especially if it is excessive or irrational.

Why is Fear Shaped Differently in Eastern and Western Societies?

The author of this blog post, Libby Charlie, discusses how fear is shaped differently in Eastern and Western societies based on her personal experiences. She spent the first quarter-century of her life in an Eastern society, specifically in the state of Kerala in India, before moving to the United States. According to Charlie, Eastern societies are “cluster societies,” meaning people are interdependent and rely on each other for everything. In such societies, there is a baseline energy that everyone can calibrate from, which means that everyone supports each other. However, this also means that the fear of rejection is a big issue, as if one person rejects you, the entire system rejects you. Fear of failure is not a big issue because people do not attempt too much, but if they succeed, everyone recognizes them, and they rise in social status.

On the other hand, Western societies are individualistic, meaning that people are more independent and self-reliant. In such societies, people have more freedom to pursue their goals and aspirations, but this also means that they bear the burden of their success or failure. Fear of failure is a big issue in Western societies because people are more likely to attempt more, and if they fail, they are seen as less successful, which can lead to social rejection.

How Can We Overcome Our Fears?

Overcoming our fears is essential to achieving our goals and living fulfilling lives. Charlie notes that if we do not know how to handle our fear, we will be controlled by it, and our minds will act from our lower selves. However, if we have clarity and can overcome our fears, we can achieve anything we want to try to achieve.

The first step to overcoming our fears is to become aware of them. We need to identify what is causing our fear and how it is affecting our lives. Once we have identified our fears, we need to challenge them. We need to question whether our fears are rational or irrational and whether they are helping or hindering us. We need to face our fears and take action to overcome them, whether that means seeking professional help or taking small steps towards our goals.

What If We Cannot Overcome Our Fears?

While overcoming our fears is essential, it is not always possible. Some fears may be deeply ingrained in our psyche, and we may need professional help to overcome them. In such cases, we should not be ashamed to seek help. It is essential to remember that everyone has fears, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Summary

In conclusion, fear is a natural human emotion that can be caused by real or perceived threats. However, what is perceived as a threat may differ from one person to another and even more so from one society to another. Eastern societies are cluster societies, meaning people are interdependent and rely on each other for everything. In such societies

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