Fear is not a Thought (Music by Roy Orbison)

What might be the most meaningful thing for any of us to know at this time? 

My answer is: 

Fear is not a thought. 

Fear is energy.  It can’t be freed by thinking.  

We manage it most healthfully 

by the power of our breath, 

guided by our will.  

We inhale and join.  We exhale and expel.  

Again, and again, and again….

Spiritual practitioners have been using some variation of this technique for centuries to grow a peaceful, more expansive, mind and heart.

We need no special training to begin.  Or time.  Or place.  Here, now is good enough.  

And if moving your bones and smiling will help, check out the YouTube video of Roy Orbison, backed by a dozen rock legends, singing “Pretty Woman” from the “Black and White Night” concert in 1987.  It’s only had 41 million views.  

https://youtu.be/_PLq0_7k1jk

Why is a grown-up relationship with fear number one on my meaningful list?

Three reasons:

• • Fear is the factor that most impacts every choice we make today, like never before for many of us.  And who would bet against the future touching us more deeply?     
  • Unmanaged fear always harms.  Anger, blame, resentment, screaming at one other –– all are the consequence of fear unattended.  
  • It works for me.  One time, when someone asked what I did (meaning my profession), thought flew out the window and my mouth announced, “I manage fear and pain.”  I didn’t mean to say it but it was the truth.  The quality of every choice I make is shaped by how well, how actively, I honor and free these great teachers.  Breath by breath.  Mercy.