When we observe the content of the mind, we can discover all kinds of accumulations, such as wounds, fears, traumas etc. We live with fear, not only outwardly but also much deeper, in the dark recesses of our brain. There is a deep fear, a fear of the future, a fear of the past and a fear of the present. But if we really observe the nature of fear, then one has to look at what it is and see what are the causes that contribute to the fear. Most of us are afraid of tomorrow, of death, of our husband, etc. There are so many things we are afraid of.
What interests us is not a specific fear, but the psychological mechanism of fear which is common to all fears.
Let us now take the example of a reptile to better understand what is happening. If we see a snake on our way ready to bite us, we move away from it, naturally. Then thought takes hold of it and begins to be afraid. It says to itself that death was near etc. We observe therefore that it is the thought which engendered the fear, after the fact. Because in the moment we move away from the danger without involving thought. It is only after that thought takes hold of it, and even though there is no longer any danger, it begins to be afraid. So fear is not linked to danger but to thinking about danger, and giving it continuity over time.Thought comes from the past, and not from the present.
Fear in itself does not exist, it can only be from the past, because we can only be afraid of what we know, to recognize it. When there is total attention, at that instant there can be no fear.. Only the individual looking to the past is afraid. A mind freed from the weight of the past can thus discover joy and live passionately.
Comments