Returning to the Womb: Unlearning Fear and Relearning Wonder

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From the moment we are born, we experience the world with openness, curiosity, and an innate sense of wonder. A baby does not fear the unknown—it reaches for it, eager to explore. However, as we grow, society, culture, and life experiences begin to instill fear in us. We learn to be cautious, to doubt, to separate ourselves from others. Over time, these learned fears shape our thoughts, our actions, and ultimately, our perception of the world. But what if fear is not an unchangeable part of who we are? What if we can unlearn it?

Both science and spiritual traditions affirm that fear is largely a conditioned response, not an inherent trait. By understanding how fear is acquired and reinforced, we can begin the process of dismantling it. And when we do, we rediscover our original state—one of trust, love, and awe for existence itself.

Fear is Learned—Which Means It Can Be Unlearned

Psychologists have long studied how fear develops. The Little Albert experiment, conducted by John B. Watson in the early 20th century, demonstrated that fear can be artificially implanted. A young child, initially unafraid of animals, was conditioned to fear a white rat through repeated exposure to loud, frightening noises. Over time, he developed a generalized fear response—not only to the rat but to anything similar. This experiment revealed a fundamental truth: many of the fears we hold are learned responses, shaped by our environment rather than our nature.

Modern neuroscience reinforces this idea. The brain, particularly the amygdala, processes fear, but it is also highly adaptable. Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself—means that we can unlearn fear just as we learned it. 

A study published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience* found that exposure therapy, mindfulness, and positive experiences can literally reshape neural pathways, reducing fear responses. This means that we are not trapped by our past conditioning. By deliberately changing our thought patterns and experiences, we can return to a more open, fearless way of engaging with the world.

Spiritual Traditions and the Power of Rebirth

The concept of being reborn—not physically, but mentally and spiritually—is central to many religious teachings. In Christianity, Jesus emphasizes the importance of returning to a childlike state:

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

This passage speaks not of literal infancy but of rediscovering the innocence, trust, and openness we once had before fear took hold. To be "born again" is to see the world anew, free from the layers of doubt and conditioning we accumulate over time.

Islam also teaches that fear is a burden we carry unnecessarily, and that true peace comes from trust in the divine:

“And whoever relies upon Allah—then He is sufficient for him.” (Quran 65:3)

By surrendering fear and embracing faith, we allow ourselves to live more freely, unburdened by the anxieties that often plague us. Similarly, Buddhist teachings emphasize that fear arises from attachment and illusion. The Dhammapada offers this wisdom:

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” (Dhammapada 18:252)

Fear often thrives in thoughts about what might happen or what has happened, rather than what is happening. By cultivating presence and awareness, we weaken fear’s grip.

The Baha’i Faith also calls humanity to let go of fear, malice, and doubt in order to attain spiritual clarity. Baha’u’llah writes:

“O Son of Man! Purge thy heart from malice and, innocent of envy, enter the divine court of holiness.” (The Hidden Words)

This call to purification echoes the idea that fear and negativity are not inherent but are things we acquire—and can also release.

Philosophy and the Art of Letting Go

Philosophers throughout history have suggested that true wisdom is not about gaining more knowledge, but about unlearning the illusions that distort reality. Socrates encouraged the practice of questioning everything, recognizing that many of our assumptions—including those that cause fear—are built on false premises.

Friedrich Nietzsche described three stages of human transformation, the final of which is the child—a state of pure creativity and freedom from social conditioning. Similarly, Laozi, in the Tao Te Ching, speaks of the importance of shedding rather than acquiring:

“In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of the Tao, every day something is dropped.” (Tao Te Ching, Chapter 48)

This aligns with the idea that returning to our natural state is not about becoming something new, but about removing the layers of fear, doubt, and conditioning that obscure who we truly are.

How to Relearn Wonder and Trust

If fear is learned, then we can actively work to unlearn it. But how?

  1. Cultivate Awareness – The first step to change is recognizing when fear-based thinking controls our actions. Ask yourself: Is this fear real, or is it something I have been taught to believe? Identifying these thought patterns is the beginning of transformation.

  2. Shift from Fear to Curiosity – Fear asks, What if something goes wrong? but curiosity asks, What can I learn from this? Instead of avoiding the unknown, approach it with openness.

  3. Practice Presence – Many of our fears are tied to regrets about the past or anxieties about the future. Meditation and mindfulness help train the brain to stay in the now, where fear has less control.

  4. Replace Fear with Love – Fear isolates us; love connects us. The Bhagavad Gita reminds us:

    “The wise see the same divine essence in all beings.” (Bhagavad Gita 5:18)

    When we recognize our fundamental connection to others and to life itself, fear begins to dissolve.

  5. Embrace the Idea of Rebirth – Every moment is an opportunity to start fresh. The Christian concept of being "born again"  speaks to this idea—letting go of past limitations and seeing life with new eyes.

"Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." (John 3:3)

A Return to Our True Nature

At our core, we are beings of wonder, not fear. The journey of life is not about accumulating more fear-based knowledge but about stripping away the illusions that keep us from seeing reality as it is—beautiful, interconnected, and full of possibility.

By unlearning fear, we step into a life that is richer, fuller, and more aligned with our true selves. We become like children again—not ignorant, but open; not naïve, but trusting. And in that state, we rediscover what has always been there: a world waiting to be explored with awe and love.

Zaziel Azahr

*Source: 

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn3658

https://www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs/research_news/pr/2017/20170919_1

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Albert_experiment

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