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.
– Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear – From Frank Herbert's Dune Book Series
The devastation and deepening catastrophe in Japan.
My client in the UK who just got the worst diagnosis for her husband, and has heard the word “widow” applied in relationship to herself for the first time.
Staggering debt. A world in turmoil. Crazed political stances on both sides of the aisle that drive people further and further apart.
There are so many opportunities for fear right now.
Personal fear, political fear, planetary fear.
I wrote recently about what I perceive as the relationship between fear and doubt – how does that play in, when the fear is planet wide, when the stakes are so high?
I believe that the key is to handle our doubt. To step into a space of deep knowing, deep faith. The stance which allows a person to stand firm while letting the fear wash over and through, leaving the empty space in its wake.
It is doubt that keeps you from planting yourself firmly on the ground. Choose to stand firm in this space. Choose to stop running from the fear, which actually feeds it. Choose to face it, and allow it to wash through.
Open to a space where the fear has been faced, and whatever you might offer that is supportive has room to take root and grow.
When I was dealing with so much fear on so many fronts this morning, this litany popped into my mind. I haven’t read Dune in twenty or thirty years – but this is the piece that has always stood out for me, this litany.
I offer it to you today. May it help you to move into the place where loving space can be created, so you be in the space to contribute loving energy to the situation. This may lead you to an action, or it may lead you to contribute peaceful energy. I don’t know what your path will be.
My hope is that you can take in the fear, feel it, allow it to wash through, leaving space that allows love and peace. Choose to be who you can be, and do what you can do, from a loving, mindful place.
Namaste.
If this resonates, please leave a comment!!
6 comments on “I will allow my fear to pass over and through me…”
Fear of tomorrow can destroy today. Loved your article.
Eda
http://www.edasuzanne.com
When I feel fear or doubt I have learned to ask myself "Is this fear I'm feeling real or did I make it up?" I have to say that 99.99% of the fear I feel I create – I make it up. Once I realise this, I have some power over the fear and I'm much more able to let it go. Thanks for your article Scout.
Terrific Post! Here is a quote a friend shared with me recently:
“Keep spiritually sound and be persistent. Persistence is the key. Just never stop believing,” is a quote by Deborah Aquila, a famous Hollywood movie casting director.
I think the never stop believing part works great when faced with fear. Namaste to you.
Hey Scout! I absolutely love this article and the affirmation "I will allow my fear to pass over and through me" — it's absolutely perfect for all this terrible news we've been hearing.
Thank you so much =)
Marcelle
Funny how things crop up in groups!
I have been reading Free Yourself From Fears with NLP by Joseph O'Connor. On page 58 he quotes the same Bene Gesserit Litany. He then takes it a little further and uses it for what he calls a skill for freedom – "The Bene Gesserit process." It is a structured visualisation that follows the Litany and helps you to face and overcome a fear or anxiety.
Briefly
1. Bring to mind your worry or fear.
2. Imagine the situation and feel it. Give it a label "fear," "worry," or "anxiety." Whatever fiits your feeling.
3. Imagine the feeling in front of you. Look at it. What characeristics does it have? eg size, structure, colour, smell, sounds, Watch it and listen as it hovers in front of you.
4. Let it stream past you, over you under you, around you and through you. It will become like a wisp of smoke.
5. Imagine it going behind you and see it disappear faster and faster into the distance melting into nothingness, sucked into an enormous wind tunnel. If you feel any residue repeat the above with what you now feel and face that.
6. Now feel yourself grounded. You are not this feeling you are separate from it now.
7. Calmly, think of three ways that you deal with the situation. Write them down and decide to take action as soon as you can.
Sounds like a good way to take the whole process and use it.
Thanks Scout
Regards
Ian, Thanks for this!
It’s very similar to a process I’ve developed for my clients…and highly useful!
Yes, I love the patterns of how things show up! I love that you shared this.
Best,
Scout