Fear Of Letting Go and Letting Go of Fear
We are approaching the second quarter of the 21st Century. Shit, that went quick.
The evidence is certainly in that we need to ‘Let go’, whatever that means. Hanging on is the opposite of letting go, and we have been urged by all the experts that we need to trim down, minimise, and shed. Big business has been doing it, and Governments are certainly doing it.
In AA, I was told to ‘Let go and let God!’. This has been my saving grace, if any, as far as a god of my own understanding goes. When the chips were down, Buddhism saved my butt from an inglorious kicking. Yet, I am still fearful.
What if I only had good fear?
It’s good to be scared of snakes, isn’t it? I’ll be full of healthy fears from now on. Wish me luck.
In this week’s newsletter, there is a great film from the late Thich Nhat Hanh about letting go of fear. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
If you are looking for something new in audio, I recommend Waking Up for all its growing bits and pieces.
And my article this time around is about the constant issue about self-cherishing ignorance, and its particular effect on the struggling alcoholic.
Sam Harris and Waking Up
There is a new series that I like on Sam Harris’ Waking Up app. It’s called ‘Zen and The Art of Living’, by Robert Waldinger.
“Waking Up opens the door to a deeper understanding of yourself—and helps you live a more examined, fulfilling life”. Here’s how you can check it out.
“In 1963, after the military overthrow of the minority Catholic regime of President Ngo Dinh Diem, Nhất Hạnh returned to South Vietnam on 16 December 1963, at the request of Thich Tri Quang, the monk most prominent in protesting the religious discrimination of Diem, to help restructure the administration of Vietnamese Buddhism”. Wikipedia
“It Is I: Be Not Afraid.”
by Anonymous
How shall I know Thee, Master, when the night
Falls black about the way,
When earth is void, and heaven has no light,
And wild winds hunt their prey?
How shall I know 'tis Thee, or fiends of hell
In forms that image Thee?
They throng with mockeries, and can I tell
When Thou art come to me?
Yes, by the proof of peace! Oh, Saviour dear,
However sore dismayed,
When once Thy least low whispering I hear,
I shall not be afraid!