Fear
Fear is not exactly a "spiritual tool" - it is probably the greatest obstacle to spiritual awareness and growth. But fear is a great motivator to growth, and spiritual development may be the only way out of fear.
Healthy fear versus self-centered fear. We need a certain amount of fear in situations where real danger is involved. Self preservation and the preservation of the species demand it. However, fear can become excessive if I'm trying to control a situation that I have no business controlling. This self-centered fear is the result of the conflict between my feeling that I have to control everything and the inner knowledge that I don't.
The traditional answer to fear is more spiritual development. This simple answer is the result of understanding that as I become more god-centered (whatever my concept of god might be), I become less self-centered. I "turn it over" to a power greater than myself and don't have to worry about it.
So in the sense that fear serves as an alarm signal that something is wrong - it could be considered a spiritual tool. If I react to "free floating anxiety" or fear by sitting down and asking myself "what's wrong?", I may remember to re-connect with god, strengthen my faith (for the moment) and see the fear disappear.
Wikipedia article on fear.
Wikipediia article on anxiety.
Healthy fear versus self-centered fear. We need a certain amount of fear in situations where real danger is involved. Self preservation and the preservation of the species demand it. However, fear can become excessive if I'm trying to control a situation that I have no business controlling. This self-centered fear is the result of the conflict between my feeling that I have to control everything and the inner knowledge that I don't.
The traditional answer to fear is more spiritual development. This simple answer is the result of understanding that as I become more god-centered (whatever my concept of god might be), I become less self-centered. I "turn it over" to a power greater than myself and don't have to worry about it.
So in the sense that fear serves as an alarm signal that something is wrong - it could be considered a spiritual tool. If I react to "free floating anxiety" or fear by sitting down and asking myself "what's wrong?", I may remember to re-connect with god, strengthen my faith (for the moment) and see the fear disappear.
Wikipedia article on fear.
Wikipediia article on anxiety.
