Expanding our Understanding of Fear

One of the common themes in the therapy room is our reaction to fear and our preconceptions of what it means. We feel the discomfort and we want to run from it, or we project, i.e. blame, act out, all because we want to hold on to something to feel more secure. I like how Pema Chodron reframes fear in this short video link. She describes fear as the “dot” or starting point of a painting, which can be very expansive. She calls fear the “vanguard of courage, of wisdom.” Instead of running away from it, we could greet it without immersing in it. Greet the feelings and then let them go, like in meditation when we anchor with the breath. I especially like how she suggests that we “suckle, nurse” fear with doubtlessness, and kindness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVRT-y2wTBY