Lessons on Fear | Part IV

"Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive -- the risk to be alive and express what we really are." - Don Miguel Ruiz

Over the past week, taking the time to think, do Zazen, observe, listen to others has turned out to be time well spent. A personal surprise is that though I have been alive for four decades, though I was aware of it, I was not fully appreciative of how deep a role fear can play in our individual and collective lives.

If someone asked me what is the worst outcome of living a "fear-based" lifestyle is, I would have to say it's the gaps. Schisms within our psyche, interpersonal relationships and our life as a whole. The suffering emanates from our own mind and truly is a "parasite" as Ruiz described is.

"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." - Marcus Aurelius

In every moment there is a choice. Our choices are based on how we think in relation to our belief systems. When we follow our path fully, we gain the opportunity to release the beliefs that limit us and enhance those that support us. We *really* don't have to be a victim of our fear and other negative emotions. We can live forward.

What is integral to following our path is having a notion of the importance of positive self-esteem, sound character and integrity. Without those elements imbedded into our being we won't accomplish much in our war against our "fear-based" lifestyle.

We must dig deep and *live* towards positive change. There will be missteps along the way, but we can and will succeed if we decide. We are our own barrier. We don't have to be. We really can decide who we are going to be. It's not pre-determined.

In closing, I'd like to share this story. I think in nicely summarizes what we've been looking at, over the past few days.

A Native American grandfather once told his grandson, "Sometimes I feel like I have two wolves that live inside of me. One is bad and the other good. The bad one thrives of fear, anger, hatred, arrogance, intolerance, deceit, aggression and so many other negative things. On the other hand the god one thrives on love, compassion, generosity, humility tenderness, hope, trust, integrity, true character and many, many other positive values."

His grandson asked, "which of the wolves will win the battle?" His grandfather thoughtfully responded, "The one you feed."

Live Your Life Well,

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO