I am a family doctor and I see in my consulting room individuals on a one to one basis. On my desk lies a packet of tissues- because so many, when they say what is wrong, begin to cry, even though, outside the consulting room, they manage to be so composed that no one would notice anything was wrong.

It was the summer of '92 and I was ripe for picking. Caring friends had finally managed to steer me in the direction of Caux, the international Centre for Initiatives of Change in Switzerland, and two weeks there changed my life.

Agriculturalist Paul Craig and his wife Marguerite returned to Britain in July after spending four years in the Solomon Islands. Marguerite spoke at a conference in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this year. Here are extracts and a postscript from Paul:

"A positive idea, when applied, can overcome fear"

A person told me that fear is the energy that shows us our limits: how far we can go before getting hurt. Indeed, it stops us from jumping into the fire or leaving our baby alone in the house.

It is very challenging to be writing on the topic of FEAR at this moment. Writing is one of my fears in life, but beyond that I would want to share some of my recent insecurities which brought a lot of fear to my life.

Fear is at the root of many problems; it leads us to resist the changes that would help solve our existing problems.

Fear is a phenomenon of unconsciousness, a partial blinding of the senses to the imperfections and weaknesses in human nature. It is also a partial deadening of the will and emotions and a refusal to face the unknown and accept the traumatic situations that have taken place in one’s life.

An ancient book about war gives Dalia Braverman practical hints on living today.