Freedom from Fear
The technique described under
"Four Steps Back from Stress" can be applied to any stress-related condition.
Here, we'll take the example of fear - as can be active in phobia and anxiety. In both cases, the distress caused can come from fear
- and fear's ability to create fictions about some "fear object" or "objects" being more dangerous than it is/ they are.
1) Understanding the problem
Imagine we have a phobia that makes even the tiniest spider look like a monster. In reality, it’s not us - as in our real us - that ever falls for this illusion (see below - image to the left).
Here, of course, we’re wholly innocent (as is the spider). The fault lies with fear itself, pictured as a giant rabbit that harries and stalks (see below right).
- and -
3) Owning the problem
Our real identity lies with love and creativity, not fear. Fear
is an invader and impostor, so there’s no shame in owning up to its influence. Neither do we need to hide behind our pride, or deny how maybe fear
can scare us out of our mind.
Yet the more that fear
weaves itself into our identity and thoughts, the more we need to turn around and look it in the face - as something separate from us. Now it becomes obvious: fear, when dug out from its hiding place, starts losing its power and force.
At last, we’ve started to call fear’s
bluff, and are taking back the initiative.
To master fear, the heart’s “C’s” are the answer. By its courage
and conscious awareness
alone, fear
has already been brought out of hiding. Now, compassion
and calm
will see it disarmed entirely.
The heart is a fortress of fearlessness - in whose arms fear
is sent to sleep.
