I found the following description of fear; or more to the point what fear is not… it is not real. I will reference the quote at the end but I think the most important thing is to realise that fear is the mindfulness enemy. I think that this quote can also be used throughout mindfulness thinking and practice in relation to all emotions; but mainly it is about fear.
“Fear is not real,
The only place that fear can exist
Is in our thoughts of the future
It is a product of our imagination
causing us to fear things that
Do not at present, and may never exist
That is near insanity.
Do not misunderstand
Danger is very real,
But fear is a choice.
When you are starting to feel afraid about anything. when it grips you, if what you are fearing is not happening right there, right then, at that moment, then how can it be real.
Unfortunately this quote is from the movie, After Earth by Wil Smith talking about monsters. Not exactly the font of all wisdom are your average movies, but we all have those moments in those movies closest to our hearts that leave an impression.
I am starting off with this page in my mindfulness writings because it is the thing that I have most recently learned. I suppose for me it is not about learning about mindfulness and thinking that everything is better, but, each day being mindful and noticing what is, better or not.
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“Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.”
― Marianne Williamson
(I know you will appreciate this quote) Roxanne
I do appreciate it Roxanne. I think the thing that I agree with most is the being ‘consciously aware’ of things in the world. Too much autopilot living and not enough noticing the now. I am thinking about you now – thanks for the comment. Just to let you know you are, I think, the first person to read my blog or make a comment. Thanks.