Expert: Justin Choo - 8/26/2008

Question
QUESTION: Can you tell me a bit about people who is pure evil? How do you deal with them?  In addition, how do you overcome the greatest of fear such as death, suicide, fright, courage, etc.?

ANSWER: Henry,

If I can deal with people who are pure evil, then I would be the greatest leader on earth!  You can read about war atrocities and you will know the extent of how evil humans can become. These people are not even fit to be animals.  There is no more conscience left in their minds.  This much I can say.  

As for your second part it is easy to give opinions, but actually very difficult to follow through.  The well-known advice of facing fear to fight fear is easier said than done. It's all in the mind, those things we fear.  But it is indeed very difficult to rid any fear or phobia from the mind.  So I am not offering you any "good-luck charm" to alleviate your fear.  Maybe, just maybe, if we practise the Buddha's teachings we may reduce our fear.  Another possibility would be as we aged we may come to accept certain fears thereby reduce those fears.  What about fear of death?...most difficult.

Justin Choo :-)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How do you deal with someone who is just make your life a living hell?

Answer
Hi Henry,

Actually, your question is too general.  Different situations call for different approaches.

To answer your question I would need to make assumptions.  Assuming you can just walk away or be transferred or find another job or shift to another place, then your problem is solved.  Assuming the contrary, then it is a real problem.  It is easy to give "advice" and opinion" but when one is in the situation it is a very different matter.  If there is a superior who has authority over this person as in a workplace, then perhaps this superior can help. This much I can comment.

The only caution I can provide is that you should avoid confronting this person.  Confrontation will only aggrevate matters, never solving any problem.

Justin Choo.