Credit: Adidas Impossible is Nothing Advertising Campaign
Fear has many faces, descriptions and definitions. Simply put it is any thought or feeling, which stands in the way of you doing anything you can conceive. Here is how I combat my fears when they arise. I recite the Litany against Fear from one of my all time favorite novels, Dune by Frank Herbert.
- “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.”
Reciting or “chanting” this litany has helped me to overcome paralyzing fear when: I decided to leave my job, the ground exploded near Grand Central Station and I was on my way home, I decided to enter a new relationship, I was fired, and finally when I gave birth at home. In all of these incidences, reciting this litany helped to center me and allowed my mind to function again. Fear is an instinct which serves us well. It helps make us aware of our surroundings and stimulates our adrenaline. i.e., When there was a huge explosion at Grand Central Station, my body knew to cover itself as the debris from the sky fell on top of me and my legs instinctively knew to turn and run (yes I did jump over a women who had been knocked down, although I did stop for a moment and look back.) It was the fear that got me moving away from the threat.The instinctual mind is often called our lower nature. As is true for nearly everything on this planet it serves it’s purpose, but can cause imbalance if overused.
Many times, more is needed than just an instinctual reaction. The knowledgeable or reasoning mind is called upon for strategdy and discipline. These two parts of your mind (instinctual and reasoning) are split. Becoming enlightened involves joining them so that they act as one. “As above, so below.” Here is where FAITH comes into play. I have a very good idea that the universe conspires to my success everyday, all day. This is called Faith. When my Faith wavers, it is this litany which brings me out of darkness, home again, to peace, love and light.
