What Do You Fear?

“Fear cannot be got rid of by personal effort, but only by the ego’s absorption in a cause greater than its own interests (the bow). Absorption in any cause will rid the mind of some of its fears; but only absorption in the loving and knowing of the divine ground, can rid it of all fear” - Aldous Huxley, The Perennial Philosophy. p. 163

Fear, it is in our bones, it is part of us, what we are made of. We can’t live in time, without fear. However, we must try to mitigate this deep driver of our actions, our beliefs. Refuse to serve fear. We must try to be a river that rushes towards its end without fear.

Why?

Fear lets others control us. It’s a puppeteer’s string. Cut it and you are one string more free.

Fear keeps us from being, from the potential inside us, from animating the world with the gifts we are so given. Fear keeps us feeling like we aren’t at home in this world. Alienated, uncomfortable, not where we ought to be.

“Up in this high air, you breathed easily, drawing in a vital assurance and lightness of heart. In the highlands, you woke up in the morning and thought: Here I am. Where I ought to be.” Isak Dinesen

Fear

It’s the fear that
keeps you there
right there
numb ‘n dumb ‘n unaware
thinking
you can’t,
you’re not good enough
you’re not tough enough
you don’t have what it takes
you don’t have enough charm
you don’t have enough money
brains, strength -
hell, you’re not even funny.

It’s the fear that gets in the way.
It’s the fear that manufactures
your day-to-day.

You think …
I’m not good-looking.
I’m never gonna win.
Not a good hair
on my chinny chin chin.

The fear won’t let you begin.

Fear of the other.
Fear of your brother.
Fear of getting sick.
Fear of what might happen - if.
Fear of being picked.

It’s the fear that makes you
stay in place.
Fear of a non-existing tomorrow
and
this world then
swirling by,
a sad, sadder kind of waste.

………………………………………………………