Fear, Uncertainty, Hearing Voices, and Taking Out the Garbage
TweetYesterday, a new member of The Open Heart Project emailed to ask a very poignant question:
“How can you let go of fear of uncertainty?”
Of course we all fear uncertainty–and these days there is much to be uncertain about, whether our concerns are financial, romantic, health-related, planetary, and on and on. Of course I’m no exception.
I wish I had some magic Buddhist secret for how to stop feeling afraid and uncertain. if I did, you would be the first to know it.
Well, come to think of it, i DO know a magic Buddhist secret, sort of.
The story* in the video above will illustrate one option for working with fear and uncertainty. Hint: it doesn’t involve positive thought. It involves reconnecting with the reality that exists beyond negative and positive thought. This reality is far more spacious and relaxed than trying to crank up a reality where we always feel or think certain things and do not feel and think certain other things. That is a nerve wracking state of affairs.
Of course your meditation practice is the gateway to this unconditional state.
For today’s 10-minute guided meditation, please sign up for The Open Heart Project.
*I told this story in my book, the wisdom of a broken heart, so if you’ve heard it once, i hope you will enjoy it twice.
6 comments
Hi Susan!
Thank you for your story and your words of wisdom. I often have a difficult time putting into words how meditation is not the same as thinking positive thoughts but rather, as you said, connecting with that space behind the thoughts. That space or the sky as you called it feels like the very definition of grace.
So glad this piece resonated with you, April.
Susan,
I had not heard your story before and I was sure you were going to say your liberation lasted 11 days, and how quickly I went into the “oh, poor little me mode, I’ll never experience this liberation!” When you said 11 seconds I laughed out loud and a since of liberation came over me, of course it only lasted for 12 seconds
Practice, practice, practice
Thank you!!!!
Ha! Good to share a laugh!
Very helpful words. Thank you so much. “Nothing is happening right now.” I will hold onto that, when I am ruminating over my thoughts.
Yes. Me too, Camilla.