The Power of FEAR

[enfoldedblue]

Fear is undoubtedly the most effective way to control someone. When our minds touch on something that instils fear in us our bodies react by releasing chemicals that course through our body. The natural instinct is to protect ourselves by closing up, tensing and adopting a fight or flight mentality.

Our society is absolutely SATURATED with fear triggers. ‘Will I have enough money?’, Will I get sick?’, ‘Will there be anyone to care for me?’ ‘Are there bad guys out to get me?’ down to the most basic “am I loveable?’ ‘Am I worthy?’. I could continue this list for days.

Social values and the media reinforce these fears at every opportunity.

The other day I was talking to a friend and we were talking about why the world was in the state that it is. I suggested that it had to do with the controllers understanding the power of fear and using it to keep us in line. I said that I believed that, because of the way we are brought up, most people deep down question their own worth.

Because being worthy is not a given, people compensate by doing all sorts of ego driven things to ‘prove’ their worth. When I said that my friend exclaimed “Holy xxxx you’re right, in fact I joined the military and went to the Middle East to prove that I am worthy.”

How much are we being driven by our fears? What would our life look like if it were not driven by fears.

Imagine a world where everyone knew, simply by the fact that they were alive, that they are worthy (nobody was better than them or worse than them). Nothing to prove. No need for external validation. Instead of trying to be what we think we should be, we could focus on being what we are. This is where I think our real magic is. We each have unique interests and gifts within us that if we were each brave enough to tap into and share with the collective would make our world a more meaningful, more valuable (in the truest sense) and more beautiful place (also in the truest sense).

To me the key is to learn how to cease being so easily manipulated by fear. It is good to know what is in our surroundings, to be aware, but there is a fine line between being aware and being focused. When we focus on the negative aspects of our reality we are of course contributing our energy to the very things we want to see disappear.

There are a few things I believe we can do to help extricate ourselves from the fear matrix:

1) Take the time to really examine where we allow our energy (attention) to flow and make a conscious effort to start focusing on that which we want to see thrive, rather than disappear.

2) Examine the sources of fear in our life (some people are even fear junkies and seek out the rush that comes from a good jolt), and try to minimise them.

3) Rather than be simply in our minds (as most of us are taught to be). Learn to drop down to our hearts. This can be scary at first because the heart is about feeling...and many of us have learned to push away our feelings rather than process them and release them (so there can be a lot of old stagnant uncomfortable energy at first...waiting to be processed). It gets easier with time and practice.

4) Learn to recognize fear triggers and the body’s reaction to them. When we can recognise these triggers for what they are we can become increasingly immune to their power over us. Rather than be swayed by them we allow the feelings they instil to wash over us.

5) Know thy self .

[Tesla_WTC_Solution]

A very beautiful and timely thought.
Thank you for the good reminder!!

[Dorjezigzag]

Nice thread!

Litany against fear

The litany against fear is an incantation used by the Bene Gesserit throughout the Dune series to focus their minds and calm themselves in times of peril. The litany is as follows:

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

Lady Jessica teaches it to her son Paul, who uses it in Dune when faced with Mohiam's test of his ability to withstand excruciating pain. The litany is shortened in David Lynch's 1984 film.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bene_Gesserit

[Rollo]

During the last two nights I saw two ugly, demonic faces/heads in my dreams.
Did I fear them? No, I just look at them without any fear. Almost ignoring them completely.

Facing the fear with more like observer attitude shows how powerful we are.
Fear "tricks"... are just tricks.

[Shezbeth]

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. [...]

Gotta give it up for Dune. Not far behind (IMO) is the Dragon's Lance series.

"A [warrior] is always frightened. It’s what you do with the fear that counts. Fear can turn you inside out, or you can make fear work for you. Use it like another weapon. Fear’s a funny thing. It can make you weak kneed, make you pee your pants, make you whimper like a baby. Or fear can make you run faster, hit harder." - Kitiara Uth Matar

[sirdipswitch]

When you lnow that you are Immortal, and quite obviously Invinsible, you will see things,
"a bit difrnt". chuckle chuckle.:wizard:

¤=[Post Update]=¤

oops!! know... not lnow.

[Zaya]

Thanks, enfoldedblue. This is actually quite relevant advice over in my Co-creator Paradox Thread (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?70961-The-co-creator-paradox...). This is something I think I was looking for. Ways to not feed the negative manifestations of our consciousness.


To me the key is to learn how to cease being so easily manipulated by fear. It is good to know what is in our surroundings, to be aware, but there is a fine line between being aware and being focused. When we focus on the negative aspects of our reality we are of course contributing our energy to the very things we want to see disappear.


I have been struggling to sort of define this fine line you speak of myself. How can one be "aware" of all that is going on without crossing over into "focused"? For me... to be aware means you have to do the work and research and form conclusions. Perhaps I need to stop doing that and just let whatever will happen, happen? That does not sit well with me though. That seems like a quick way to get manipulated, too.

I like your advice here, though. Do you think it is possible for us to be actively aware (as in reading, researching, discussing) without fear but ALSO without feeding the idea?

[Guish]

I have been struggling to sort of define this fine line you speak of myself. How can one be "aware" of all that is going on without crossing over into "focused"? For me... to be aware means you have to do the work and research and form conclusions. Perhaps I need to stop doing that and just let whatever will happen, happen? That does not sit well with me though. That seems like a quick way to get manipulated, too.

I like your advice here, though. Do you think it is possible for us to be actively aware (as in reading, researching, discussing) without fear but ALSO without feeding the idea?

Being aware of negative things does not mean to ignore negative things. The idea is to appreciate good things and try to fix negative things in a calm way. Getting too involved with negative aspects of one's life may make existence hard for no reason.

[Delight]

Fear is undoubtedly the most effective way to control someone.....

....5) Know thy self .

I love your thoughts...all here.

If we know ourselves, IMO we know that we are worthy of believing that everything we value is ours to have just because. The fears I know often seem to be predicated on lack or the prospect of loss. In the past, there seemed to be a need to gain merit to be worthy and if soething happened, it was suspiciously like "reward or punishment".

I think there was deliberate onditioning but I think it was so we could over turn the conditioning. Hyper attention was placed on the gaps between what we might imagine and the seeming "real life". This feeling of being far away from the dreams was very hard because it contradicted what we deep inside are...

In PA there are severalthreads at the moment on "who am I?"

Yesterday I found myself really able to feel my self trust. I felt the seeming "fact" that my rawest impulse is by its nature valuable. I felt forgiveness for all behavior that I fear because it is based on the past experience of being in inner conflict. I felt into the fear I hold of being faulty and guilty so deserving of conflict and even imprisonment. It seemed an old friend to keep me from harm in some way.

This fear of my own nature: The idea that I need being managed because something is wrong and needs to be "reformed" is so old and deep. The message says:" If I was not constrained, that I would do harm" This conditioning seems calculated to keep me from my faith. Faith I am the very essence of goodness. To regain the Faith is to know for Truth that if I was left unfettered, I would be incapable of anything that would go against my own integrity.

So for me, fear is the brakes I keep on my own freedom. Finding my own faith in my original nature as me, just me is so healing. How would I realize it without the contrasts??

"I AM" so therefore valuable and wonderful and needing no second guessing or remorse.
To address the fear is conviction to hold: I am infinite and my very being is love. No harm can arise from my beingness.

[TargeT]

Fear is the greatest opponent you will ever surrender to.

Fear never wins through confrontation, fear wins via submission.

Fear is ego, "Their mind"'s greatest tool.

If we are Source (and it seems that we are) Fear is the ultimate deception, but probably a deliciously involving experience; why do people like watching scary movies, the sensation must be something we want to feel at some point, at some level. As a former adrenaline junky, Fear was my constant companion; one I always flirted with just enough to feel exhilarated. Fear is the easy path to excitement; fear breaks apathy and the mundane.

Fear seems like it would be very attractive to the omnipotent.


Imagine a world where everyone knew, simply by the fact that they were alive, that they are worthy (nobody was better than them or worse than them). Nothing to prove. No need for external validation. Instead of trying to be what we think we should be, we could focus on being what we are. This is where I think our real magic is. We each have unique interests and gifts within us that if we were each brave enough to tap into and share with the collective would make our world a more meaningful, more valuable (in the truest sense) and more beautiful place (also in the truest sense).

Would this world lack motivation? How is fear valuable?
Let’s not totally polarize this topic, fear is neither all good, nor all bad.




"A [warrior] is always frightened. It’s what you do with the fear that counts. Fear can turn you inside out, or you can make fear work for you. Use it like another weapon. Fear’s a funny thing. It can make you weak kneed, make you pee your pants, make you whimper like a baby. Or fear can make you run faster, hit harder." - Kitiara Uth Matar

Great quote!

I think fear is a motivator, fear is like fire. You can cook with fire, you can power cities with fire, you can save people’s lives with fire.
But if you let that fire get out of control, it will burn your world down.
Do we really want to live without fire?


Now selfworth is a very spesific application of fear, but still the question "can I be better" is not a bad one.

[enfoldedblue]

Cool to read all the replies. What comes to me after reading the comments is that facing our fears is a key to neutralising them. Existing with our head stuck in the sand is the ultimate fear based lifestyle...not really much of a life at all.

However, as Zaya mentions it can be difficult to know where that fine line between awareness and focus lies. The way I differentiate between the two is feeling. If I start to feel brought down, by what I am examining then it is time to turn away and put my attention onto something that brings me up...that stokes the inner fire.

Delight brings in an excellent point with self-trust. It is sooooo deeply ingrained in us that we need to self-regulate...always be on our guard...otherwise we might say or do something that we will regret. This stops us from being able to fully let go and BE. The more we learn to override the built in censor, the more we are able to relax, let go, allow and be. And of course a crucial key here is knowing ourselves thoroughly. If there are parts of ourselves that we deny or reject then it becomes hard to fully trust ourselves. As we make peace with ourselves our trust expands and the easie it becomes to just BE.

Target, great points you raise. I also believe that nothing is completely black or white. Fear like everything has its place in the learning game of life. However, I would disagree that it is necessary to motivate. I personally think apathy and boredom are results of fear. Fear contracts while love expands. I don’t think happy healthy empowered people would lack motivation. I think in our natural state we are curious passionate wonder filled beings with an innate desire to grow and expand. A child who feels safe and loved will naturally explore their world and thrive. A child who is abused can be honed into a very useful tool, especially if it is done with awareness of the goal.

Charles Manson and Alistair Crawley both were masters of fear. Mason used to tell people to use fear...to ride it like a wave, to use it as a whip.


I personally would not equate fear with fire. I equate passion with fire and true passion doesn't need fear to activate it.

Thanks for the interesting discussion

[Ray]

What a fine conversation! If you will allow me to contribute, I may be able to help with your dilemma on managing the limits of awareness and fear.
Upon close internal reflection, I believe you all may agree that fear cannot exist absent ego. Awareness and self awareness are very different things. Self awareness, while valued as "good" in our society may be merely the slightest remnant of what nature had intended for us. And it may be an important part of our condition.

Each of us is born into a life where we have to pay for the very air we breathe and the water we need for our children in this world of awesome plenty and this is how we got to such a point. My job, my car, my education, my kids...in western countries we each of us produce so much in our lifetimes! What good could be done if we each of us considered ourselves and, yes our beloved children as merely a small part of the whole, we might more easily contribute to rather than suckle from this awful human condition.

Forgive my enthusiasm. I have seen fear used in the most despicable and deceptive ways. Nobody gets up in the morning and puts his pants on thinking he's the bad guy...it's ALWAYS some other evil (human) he must destroy in order to be...free... or safe.... or whatever...

Fear is not a pre-requisite for defensive action. To know thyself is to know thy true enemy and know that it is not you. Nor is it me nor any child of man. The very idea that good and evil originate from the same source is fundamentally insane.

Must we fear the rain to carry an umbrella?

peace

[Dorjezigzag]

Yeah interesting conversation emerging, I can see where Target is coming from and he expresses it very concisely. I have been in some pretty scary situations in my life and in many ways I never felt so alive. Fear can really bring you into the moment but I guess you are not letting the fear conquer you but it still inspires. I think there is a thread somewhere where we spoke about this

I was just reading this article the other day which I found interesting, I am going to put a bit in here but I recommend reading it all, even though I am not sure I agree with it all.

Ancient sacred texts reveal the philosophy of action without hatred

One of the most powerful teachings in the world on this subject is the famous text the Bhagavad Gita in which Krishna reveals a series of profound truths to prince Arjuna on the nature of reality before they set out to battle in the Kurukshetra war. It expounds an incredible philosophy, found echoed in the Jedi of Star Wars, on opposing darkness from a place of compassion and detachment. In it, neither running away and avoiding it, or fighting with hatred and rage, is the right course of action—instead Krishna teaches Arjuna what is called the Path of Right Action.

Anger induces delusion; delusion, loss of memory; through loss of memory, reason is shattered; and loss of reason leads to destruction. But the self-controlled soul, who moves amongst sense objects, free from either attachment or repulsion, he wins eternal Peace. Having attained Peace, he becomes free from misery; for when the mind gains peace, right discrimination follows.
~ Krishna, The Bhagavad Gita

A similar philosophy is found in the ancient Chinese text the Tao Te Ching:

Unevolved people are eager to act out of strength, but a person of Tao values peace and quiet. He knows that every being is born of the womb of Tao. This means that his enemies are his enemies second, his own brothers and sisters first. Thus he resorts to weapons only in the direst necessity, and then uses them with utmost restraint. He takes no pleasure in victory, because to rejoice in victory is to delight in killing. Whoever delights in killing will not find success in this world.
~ Lao-tzu, Tao Te Ching

Jesus was also depicted in the Gospels as someone who opposed darkness, yet at the same time did so from a place of love.

Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.
~ Jesus, Matthew 5:43

Love is a state of being within; to feel love for those who hurt us, to harbor no resentments or ill will towards anyone, no matter what they have done, is difficult to achieve but something very worthwhile, as it then allows us to keep love as a permanent state of being rather than a feeling that arises only around selective people at selective times.

The power of love and consciousness

Sometimes it seems like there is no other way than to use anger, insults, and reactions in the struggle for truth, freedom, and justice. However, love and justice can’t just be the end goal to be accomplished by whatever means. If so, they will only ever stay as an ideal that cannot be reached—to be achieved they must also BE the means.

Being able to deal with those involved in harmful activities in a conscious, just and detached way allows the intelligence of love to emerge and for us to be more effective in our actions. Whilst anger and hatred makes us compulsive, reactive and violent, detachment and consciousness enables us to perceive a situation clear of the cloudiness of emotion and to act in the best way. It is possible to have a sense of love towards those who have hurt us, whilst still acting justly to defend ourselves against them. In this way love becomes a permanent state and way of being rather than just a fleeting feeling.

Love is often seen as something sappy and weak, whilst aggression gives someone the appearance of strength and courage. However, it can be surprising to find out that it is quite the opposite: true love comes from the consciousness within and gives real courage, strength and intelligence that does not depend on external things and gives the ability to endure even the greatest hardships, whilst aggression only puffs up someone who may ultimately be very weak within—controlled by the extremes of anger and fear that are completely dependent on outside circumstances.

To defend goodness against evil is so important and a wonderful thing, but ultimately, if we don’t free ourselves from our own anger, hatred and resentments, whoever they are held towards in our lives, then we will lose the war within. As found in many ancient sacred teachings, the battle in the truest sense, is the one against the darkness inside us, which is the purpose behind the timeless struggle between good and evil in the world anyway.

http://www.wakingtimes.com/2014/02/11/danger-becoming-darkness-fighting-dark-side/

[enfoldedblue]

What a fine conversation! If you will allow me to contribute, I may be able to help with your dilemma on managing the limits of awareness and fear.
Upon close internal reflection, I believe you all may agree that fear cannot exist absent ego. Awareness and self awareness are very different things. Self awareness, while valued as "good" in our society may be merely the slightest remnant of what nature had intended for us. And it may be an important part of our condition.

Each of us is born into a life where we have to pay for the very air we breathe and the water we need for our children in this world of awesome plenty and this is how we got to such a point. My job, my car, my education, my kids...in western countries we each of us produce so much in our lifetimes! What good could be done if we each of us considered ourselves and, yes our beloved children as merely a small part of the whole, we might more easily contribute to rather than suckle from this awful human condition.

Forgive my enthusiasm. I have seen fear used in the most despicable and deceptive ways. Nobody gets up in the morning and puts his pants on thinking he's the bad guy...it's ALWAYS some other evil (human) he must destroy in order to be...free... or safe.... or whatever...

Fear is not a pre-requisite for defensive action. To know thyself is to know thy true enemy and know that it is not you. Nor is it me nor any child of man. The very idea that good and evil originate from the same source is fundamentally insane.

Must we fear the rain to carry an umbrella?

peace
Thanks ray for this excellent contribution. The ego is key in the fear paradigm! It is ego that gets hooked in...that feels threatened etc.


It expounds an incredible philosophy, found echoed in the Jedi of Star Wars, on opposing darkness from a place of compassion and detachment.

Thank you Dorjezigzag! That is yet vital aspect: detachment. Thank you so much for the reminder. Detachment is what allows us to move through the scary stuff without contributing to it. It really is of such importance! When we watch the news and allow ourselves to get 'hooked in' by the atrocities being presented, our energy feeds the system creating the fear. detachment is like the ultimate armour, allowing us to face the worst without getting snagged by the energies. Only problem is that it is one of the most challenging skill to cultivate....I am sure most humans on the planet are yet to master complete detachment. Bu the more we lean to recognize fear triggers...the easier it seems to become.

[TargeT]

Thank you Dorjezigzag! That is yet vital aspect: detachment. Thank you so much for the reminder. Detachment is what allows us to move through the scary stuff without contributing to it. It really is of such importance! When we watch the news and allow ourselves to get 'hooked in' by the atrocities being presented, our energy feeds the system creating the fear. detachment is like the ultimate armour, allowing us to face the worst without getting snagged by the energies. Only problem is that it is one of the most challenging skill to cultivate....I am sure most humans on the planet are yet to master complete detachment. Bu the more we lean to recognize fear triggers...the easier it seems to become.


It seems like detachment is almost anti-3d experience. Yes it is important to do so to ensure you are consciously controlling your energy and intent rather than being influenced by the experience; but at the same time isn't that we are here for, the experience?

I'm a very detached person and my personal relationships seem to suffer slightly because of it; it makes me much more calm and balanced but at what cost? I don't think I experience life with the same depth of feeling (or attachment to feeling) that a lot of others in my life do.

Yet another thing to keep balanced I suppose. Positive attachment seems like a wonderful thing to experience.
Now on the other hand, over attachment when negative is very unattractive to me, I see interactions between people where one person will talk and the other person will immediately attach emotion that was not intended, get defensive and angry (these seem to be the easiest emotions to fall into, the lower vibration ones), especially when it is younger people (example based on my teenagers reaction to parent inputs).

[Guish]

Thank you Dorjezigzag! That is yet vital aspect: detachment. Thank you so much for the reminder. Detachment is what allows us to move through the scary stuff without contributing to it. It really is of such importance! When we watch the news and allow ourselves to get 'hooked in' by the atrocities being presented, our energy feeds the system creating the fear. detachment is like the ultimate armour, allowing us to face the worst without getting snagged by the energies. Only problem is that it is one of the most challenging skill to cultivate....I am sure most humans on the planet are yet to master complete detachment. Bu the more we lean to recognize fear triggers...the easier it seems to become.


It seems like detachment is almost anti-3d experience. Yes it is important to do so to ensure you are consciously controlling your energy and intent rather than being influenced by the experience; but at the same time isn't that we are here for, the experience?

I'm a very detached person and my personal relationships seem to suffer slightly because of it; it makes me much more calm and balanced but at what cost? I don't think I experience life with the same depth of feeling (or attachment to feeling) that a lot of others in my life do.

Yet another thing to keep balanced I suppose. Positive attachment seems like a wonderful thing to experience.
Now on the other hand, over attachment when negative is very unattractive to me, I see interactions between people where one person will talk and the other person will immediately attach emotion that was not intended, get defensive and angry (these seem to be the easiest emotions to fall into, the lower vibration ones), especially when it is younger people (example based on my teenagers reaction to parent inputs).


The aim of detachment is to attain peace. Detachment makes one realize that nothing is permanent and it's not wise to get attached to anything. I understand your point that you can't live experiences fully. However, that's the point. It's about doing things and not expecting anything in return. It's about doing things with ' no mind'. You become one with what you're doing and your own effort seems like effortless.

[Zaya]

Thank you Dorjezigzag! That is yet vital aspect: detachment. Thank you so much for the reminder. Detachment is what allows us to move through the scary stuff without contributing to it. It really is of such importance! When we watch the news and allow ourselves to get 'hooked in' by the atrocities being presented, our energy feeds the system creating the fear. detachment is like the ultimate armour, allowing us to face the worst without getting snagged by the energies. Only problem is that it is one of the most challenging skill to cultivate....I am sure most humans on the planet are yet to master complete detachment. Bu the more we lean to recognize fear triggers...the easier it seems to become.


It seems like detachment is almost anti-3d experience. Yes it is important to do so to ensure you are consciously controlling your energy and intent rather than being influenced by the experience; but at the same time isn't that we are here for, the experience?

I'm a very detached person and my personal relationships seem to suffer slightly because of it; it makes me much more calm and balanced but at what cost? I don't think I experience life with the same depth of feeling (or attachment to feeling) that a lot of others in my life do.

Yet another thing to keep balanced I suppose. Positive attachment seems like a wonderful thing to experience.
Now on the other hand, over attachment when negative is very unattractive to me, I see interactions between people where one person will talk and the other person will immediately attach emotion that was not intended, get defensive and angry (these seem to be the easiest emotions to fall into, the lower vibration ones), especially when it is younger people (example based on my teenagers reaction to parent inputs).

Thanks for the reminder about attachment. I have to say, I find detaching extremely difficult. Perhaps there is where my struggle with fear lies. Perhaps this is a problem with being an empath? Do any other empaths lurking around here find it extremely difficult to detach?

I find the idea of not worrying about the people I love to be the hardest. This goes for pets too. When I love someone or something, I feel as though we are a part of one another and losing that thing is so hard for me. I suppose I really need to work on detachment. Anyone have any advice on this? Perhaps more meditation and practice in OBE or something?

[enfoldedblue]

It's soooooo easy to think about detachment, to imagine staying in a detached frame of mind....but then when reality hits us over the head with something that profoundly affects us or those we love, suddenly all the lofty visions of detachment fly out the window. I believe detachment is THE challenge of existence here. The issue is further complicated by the fact that I believe there is huge difference between cold detachment (which is actually just shutting down our ability to feel) and loving detachment (which for me is the real deal...the ideal). For loving detachment we need to have our heart wide open and feel everything, and yet still not become attached.

I believe trust is a real key. Trusting, no matter what comes our way, that we and our loved ones our walking the perfect path for our own unique soul growth.

[Tesla_WTC_Solution]

Thank you Dorjezigzag! That is yet vital aspect: detachment. Thank you so much for the reminder. Detachment is what allows us to move through the scary stuff without contributing to it. It really is of such importance! When we watch the news and allow ourselves to get 'hooked in' by the atrocities being presented, our energy feeds the system creating the fear. detachment is like the ultimate armour, allowing us to face the worst without getting snagged by the energies. Only problem is that it is one of the most challenging skill to cultivate....I am sure most humans on the planet are yet to master complete detachment. Bu the more we lean to recognize fear triggers...the easier it seems to become.


It seems like detachment is almost anti-3d experience. Yes it is important to do so to ensure you are consciously controlling your energy and intent rather than being influenced by the experience; but at the same time isn't that we are here for, the experience?

I'm a very detached person and my personal relationships seem to suffer slightly because of it; it makes me much more calm and balanced but at what cost? I don't think I experience life with the same depth of feeling (or attachment to feeling) that a lot of others in my life do.

Yet another thing to keep balanced I suppose. Positive attachment seems like a wonderful thing to experience.
Now on the other hand, over attachment when negative is very unattractive to me, I see interactions between people where one person will talk and the other person will immediately attach emotion that was not intended, get defensive and angry (these seem to be the easiest emotions to fall into, the lower vibration ones), especially when it is younger people (example based on my teenagers reaction to parent inputs).
Perhaps this is a problem with being an empath? Do any other empaths lurking around here find it extremely difficult to detach?


Yes, and yes about the meditation.

[enfoldedblue]

I just came across the following and since it seems to tie in so well decided to post it:

A New Message From VERONICA

AVOIDING FEAR

~ April Crawford
www.innerwhispers.org

"While experiencing reality, FEAR plays a huge role in the evolutionary process.

If one looks closely at their surroundings, they will realize that fear lurks in every corner.

There are some who USE FEAR TO THEIR ADVANTAGE , while others cower in the presence of the smallest amount of fear in their world.

A negative force it is, but it is really up to the individual how fear is used to either evolve or become stagnant in reality.

The important thing to know is that FEAR IS A CONTROLLABLE FORCE.

It will grow and diminish as you think and feel your way through your life.

It is important not to avoid fear should it manifest. Walk directly towards it and examine its features.

Upon closer inspection, you may realize that it's often YOUR OWN INSECURITIES THAT NURTURE IT TO GROW MORE.

Decide to diminish the images it creates in your mind.

Most often, by doing so, you may find that the fear is not all that difficult after all.

Embrace a desire to overcome the emotion by seeing where you may have encouraged its growth.

FEAR ONLY HAS THE POWER YOU GIVE IT.

Most fearful experiences are a creation of your own thoughts in regard to a situation that is unfolding.

Stop the tumble of energy and see that you can rise above the dilemma.

You can overcome whatever is being presented.

See it all clearly and respond to the actuality, not the embellishment your fear has created.

Be fearless.

Be clear.

Know that ALL THAT IS CREATED IS BY YOUR OWN DESIGN.

Decide that fear is not a component.

It might change everything."

-VERONICA

[Guish]

It's soooooo easy to think about detachment, to imagine staying in a detached frame of no matter what comes our way,


It's all about practice and the willingness to grow up spiritually. Here is a zen story which inspires me in my quest.

The Zen master Hakuin was praised by his neighbors as one living a pure life.

A beautiful Japanese girl whose parents owned a food store lived near him. Suddenly, without any warning, her parents discovered she was with child.

This made her parents very angry. She would not confess who the man was, but after much harassment at last named Hakuin.

In great anger the parents went to the master. "Is that so?" was all he would say.

After the child was born it was brought to Hakuin. By this time he had lost his reputation, which did not trouble him, but he took very good care of the child. He obtained milk from his neighbors and everything else the little one needed.

A year later the girl-mother could stand it no longer. She told her parents the truth - that the real father of the child was a young man who worked in the fishmarket.

The mother and father of the girl at once went to Hakuin to ask his forgiveness, to apologize at length, and to get the child back again.

Hakuin was willing. In yielding the child, all he said was: "Is that so?"

[Milneman]

I'm getting a lot of wear out of these flame-retardant pants today. ;)

Just suppose that somewhere along the line, we learn that fear is a choice we can make. Yup, I'm suggesting that feeling fear is a choice that we get so used to subconsciously choosing that after doing it for a long, long time we just assume it happens out of our control.

Why do we choose fear? What do we get out of feeling afraid? And by fear here I don't mean an evolutionary response to a dangerous stimulus. Like a sabre-toothed tiger for example.

Fear enables the human being to avoid making choices. I feel fear, I don't have to choose that (or so my brain tells me) because I'm afraid of that. I don't want to go into this building because I'm afraid that man will shout at me, and my belief is substantiated by the fact that the man has shouted at me before.

What about the difference between ration and irrational fear? Is there a difference? I think rational fear is grounded in actual, substantiated proof of danger. Don't pet the sabre toothed tiger. Unga-hoo-Banga-boobo did and he got eaten. Fear creating a rational defensive response. It's not so much the fear we look at in that situation, it's the behaviour that becomes constructive and in this case life-saving.

I'm not so sure this is the kind of fear we're talking about in the OP post though. And if that is true, then this is indeed a fear that is part of the human being's making a choice to avoid a situation (and in that case, it may in fact have little to do with being afraid at all...guess it means it's just another way we lie to ourselves about getting what we want).

Doesn't this get BORING? ;)