Last night I was doing research for this weeks musing topic, which is fear, and I came across a website for writers. It was full of writing prompts to describe fear-
Fear paralyzed him
she fought rising panic
her heart was uneasy
his body shook with fear
she was weighed down by dread
he was sick with fear
While reading through this list, I was struck by the fact that I knew, in my body, exactly how these words felt. I can only imagine that most of us do!
Here in central Alberta, I often see a bumper sticker that states “No Fear”. I always wonder if that statement is actually true for the person in that vehicle? Do they really fear nothing? If it is true, what is it like to live with no fear?
My teacher talks a lot about fear. He may tell us that fear is part of our conditioned mind. Our parents, family, & community have all conditioned us to be fearful. Just as their family conditioned them.
There are many things to be fearful of in this world. We might be fearful of heights, a spider or a snake, showing love or making a big change in our life. I, personally, have a fear of mice (among other things). I know on an intellectual level that I have nothing to fear from these cute, little furry rodents. But if a mouse was to run across my path, I would scream and run away before I consciously realise what is happening. I have no idea where this fear came from-but it sits in my body just waiting for that mouse to jump out at me.
Fear is listed in Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras, as one of the five kleshas. The kleshas are veils that cover the true essence of who we are. What is our true essence? Love! Love is who we are and what we are here to share.
When the essence of who we are is shrouded in fear, this can create an internal violence. This means that our inner dialogue may be full of self doubt &/or self judgement. When we have self doubt there’s a high probability that we will also speak or act violently towards others. This doesn’t just mean that we are yelling or fighting with the people around us. This violence can also show up as gossiping or placing judgement on what someone else is doing. Fear is a quality of the ego that will keep us small and keep us separate from each other and of course, from expressing ourselves fully!
So why do we live in fear?? What is the purpose of it?? I am still figuring that out. All I can do is pay attention to those moments when fear shows up and trying to understand what it’s purpose is in that moment. If I keep working at this, maybe one day I will be able to get a “No Fear” bumper sticker for my car!
I’ll leave you with this thought provoking poem by Marianne Williamson
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Until next time,
Sandra