When we're frightened of something that can't really harm us - like spiders - or something we may do nothing about - like old age - then our fear is unhealthy, for it only makes us distressed. But, when someone stops smoking since they're afraid of getting lung cancer, this is a healthy fear. We have several fears-fears of act of terrorism, fear of passing away, fear of being apart from individuals we love; fear of losing our job, the list is perpetual! Many our fears are rooted in delusions- confused ways of viewing ourselves and the world around us. If we learn take control, and relax and finally wipe out these delusions, the unhealthy, is annihilated.
Even so, we need the healthy fear. For example, there's no point in a smoker becoming terrified of dying of lung cancer unless there's something that he or she will do about it, i.e. stop smoking. If a smoker has a sufficient fear of passing away of lung cancer, he or she will adopt steps to kick the habit. Even as a smoker is vulnerable to lung cancer due to smokes, it's true that we're vulnerable to risk and harm, we're vulnerable to ageing, sickness, and pains that come from the delusions of bonds, wrath, and ignorance.
