The Inner Journey
Getting Off the Roller Coaster

DEGREES OF FEAR:

The following hypothetical example is loosely, but essentially based upon an experience of mine.

If I were to ask a woman to share a meal with me one evening, she might fear it was a "come on", and politely suggest perhaps another time. Some time later, I would then ask her again, and that she might also like to bring a friend ... she says yes. She feels it would be a nice evening; she feels safe; she does not fear. The degree or intensity of her feelings did not bring her to a cold sweat, but her reaction to the original invitation brought about a response that delivered her from a pain, and the pain was the emotion that made her feel awkward. She may think...

"Oh oh!, what do I do here ?
I hardly know this guy.
Although we get on quite well and a meal sounds good,
I'd better l play it safe.
I'll tell him I'm busy."

The response is normal, good and wise; but it still illustrates a definition of fear and pain. For this purpose, fear and pain would have served her well. This is discriminative reasoning.

Fear based thinking does have its place in our lives, but to lack awareness in our actions and thinking, can limit the options for good and helpful things to be a part of our lives, even the fun things in life. If we were without fear based thinking, mankind would not have survived in the way it has. By crossing the road in a busy city, we employ fear to help us negotiate a safe journey. It would also natural to be fearful of getting involved in heavy drugs. In yet another light, fear also allows us to have a respect for electricity and therefore enjoy the benefits of many wonderful inventions. This fear part of our nature is normal; it is supposed to be this way. It is good.

One way to that the offering put forth by the true self is being smothered by the Ego, is the presence of confusion and difficulty in making a choice.

Since the Ego has this fear base, and plays a big part in the learning process of all people. The potential for lessons learnt based upon fear rather than understanding is enormous; especially in children. Fortunately we have at hand many positive and balancing influences available to help us gain complete and proper understandings, however, there are people whose lives do lack these balances.

Here I shall describe a fear that has been subtly affecting my own life for many years.

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