That is why so many, when they reach that place on the road with an arrow pointing forward, no destination, just forward, the sense of fear overwhelms the longing for awareness. The reaction of any frightened animal is to retreat toward the familiar and stay there until the threat passes. As upright walking creatures, the threat which sends us retreating is the fear of change. This is not a new fear. It has been used throughout time to keep wild creatures in check.
Politicians use fear of change as a way to keep the status quo functioning in their favor.
Dictators and tyrants use fear of change as a way of keeping their citizens on their knees. Everyone warns of what will happen if things change. It is never seen as something good, never portrayed as a natural process, never acknowledged as a necessity for growth. The hidden truth is revealed by Nature. We tend to think of trees and mountains and rivers as eternal, as solid and secure monuments to stability.