Fear

 

 

Fear is static that prevents me from hearing my intuition….Anxiety, fear, panic, etc., is a fleeing from something. There is something over there in the corner of my mind, some thought, some image, that I don’t want to look at, that I want to run away from. Fear Is often an indication I am avoiding myself.

Notes to Myself, Hugh Prather

 

Faith is a sensitive response to the intimations of the Unknown. It has no relevance with regards to the known.  It awakens only when the whisper of the Unknown is heard. The whisper of the Unknown can be heard only when the mind is completely and deeply silent.  But silence demands tremendous energy.

Yoga the Art of Integration, Rohi Mehta

 

In his podcast “Through the Dark Woods,” Jungian psychologist James Hollis asks us to consider, “What does fear make you do?  What does fear make you avoid?” These are important questions to me.  I know what it is like to limit myself from fear, how small life can get when I confine myself to this self-made prison.  I long to live life as fully as possible and not be limited by what I am afraid of.  But it can be so difficult to discern how to live fully.  Fear can come disguised as a lure towards comfort with a voice that says, “That writing is a waste of your time. Nothing good will come of it. Why not continue lying on the couch watching TV which is so much easier that rewriting the next paragraph?” “Oh yes,” I think “I have worked hard all week.  I don’t really have the energy to write.  Sitting on the couch and watching TV will be much more and deservedly pleasant.”  And this is how ten months can pass before I finish a piece of writing. When I listen to fear, I miss out on the chance to challenge myself in the ways my soul longs to grow.

 

Faith is a strong antidote to fear.  For me, faith is an inner knowing I will be okay even though I do not know what is going to happen next. That I can abide with myself, care for myself no matter what happens.  Faith allows me to move towards the unknown which every meaningful and creative endeavor requires. Courage is using the energy of faith to take action in the world towards my soul’s longings.  In the yoga sutra’s, faith (sradda) and courage (virya) are sisters.  Faith helps us to cut loose the energy tied up in the knots of fearful thinking (vrittis) for the purpose of growth.  This energy gives us the strength to carry-on towards our deeper intentions even when we are afraid.   

 

This freedom of faith is the harvest of many years of asana practice. Because fear knits itself into our bodies, when through asana we open and cleanse the body we also open and cleanse the mind of fear. As the physical snarls of fear loosen, the mental tangles are relaxed. After asana practice, I feel myself cleansed of anxiety and renewed with energy to nourish my soul’s growth and expansion to write this blog, care for my tender heart, love what is leaving.