Fear Is Present, I Am Much More Than My Fear - Dharma Talk

This short talk invites you to pause and gently explore the experience of fear in order to neutralize it. Inspired by the teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh, it encourages you to notice when fear is present while remembering that it is only one part of your experience. I have found it remarkably powerful in overcoming my own anxiety to recognize and accept fear instead of trying to push it away. This can be applied in exactly the same way to many emotions that feel like they overwhelm us such as rage, grief or loneliness.

Over about ten minutes, you’ll be guided to acknowledge fear with kindness, allow it to be there, and expand your awareness to include the other sensations, thoughts, and feelings that are also present. The intention is to cultivate a sense of spaciousness and inner stability, even when fear arises. This talk is based of traditional Buddhism as well as Presence and Advaita Vedanta.

Transcript

Sphere has many textures. Anxiety. Panic. What is the essence of all these textures? The substance. Of these different forms. The raw material. Of fear. Fear might have followed you your whole life, In one form or another. Making life uncomfortable. And feel threatening. Many spend their whole lives running from fear. What if we stopped? Instead of running, Turned and faced it. Through an exploration. A compassionate enquiry. What even is this fear? What are you? First, By accepting fear is present. No more denial. No more delusion. I am afraid. That's alright. All human beings feel fear. Have fear, Are pursued and influenced by their fear, If somebody had no fear whatsoever. They would need to see a psychiatrist. Because something would be drastically wrong. Fear is natural and inevitable. Why run from it? Why hide? Why not instead explore? Understand. What is this fear? What are you made of? What is the essence of this experience? I accept and acknowledge my fear. And here turning towards, Rather than away. Exploring. What is the experience of fear? Truly. How does it feel? It can be useful here to centre and ground your attention in the present. Just mindful breathing. Breathe deep and slow. All is well. Observing fear with neutrality not reacting, Just feeling. Let the fear teach you, Let the fear guide you What is its experiential essence? Intense and vibrant. Vivid Shaw. Powerful, Primal. Just feel it, In this moment. Don't try to get rid of it. Don't try to push it down or bury it. And do not pretend it's not there, We have tried those things to no avail. Instead. Accept. Acknowledge. Integrate. When fear is present. We sometimes believe it's overwhelming. But look closely. When fear is present, Recognise other things are present also fear is present, But so is the breath. So is the body. So is the world. Fear is present. But I am much more than my fear. This is one part of me. It's really alright that it's here. At some point in your life, Fear may have been a monster. But bring it close, Neutralize, Be curious and friendly, And this monster turns into a pet. Acknowledge, Accept. Allow. You can act and function, Even in the presence of fear. And by witnessing yourself doing this. You come to find that this fear is no longer a threat. It's just a feeling. And curiously you find all of the things that you believed you were worried about that which appeared to be the cause of your fear. Is an illusion of the mind. When fear is present. The mind perceives the world as threatening. Mistakenly reverse engineering this process. Suggesting fear is present because the world is threatening. But this is not true. It's the other way around. There is no threat. Reality is safe. Thank you for listening to this talk today. Take care, Be well, Stay present.