Fear of Death

"When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes, they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.  Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home."  Chief Aupumut, Mohican 1725

In order to rediscover our natural confidence and live a fearless life, we must examine the challenge: we must "recognize fear."

Fear, for the neurophysiologists, is a stimulus to investigate, discern and resolve.  Taking a Buddhist perspective on fear, however, requires that we make a simple, yet somewhat outrageous, observation: fear does not exist.  This is not to say we don't experience fear and its many forms.  Of course, we are afraid of death and pain, afraid that we can't handle life.  We fear new situations and the unknown.  Yet, while we may want to define fear, explore fear, and possibly even resolve it, we first must acknowledge that we cannot actually find such a solid thing as "fear" at all.

Our ability to suddenly discover a powerful seat of fearless abundance may not be all that fantastic.  In fact, rediscovering this fearless abundance is considered more likely than we think and is traditionally often referred to as "discovering the wish-fulfilling gem."  Discovering the gem is said to happen abruptly, like winning a lottery, thus opening up a sudden physical and spiritual energy similar to that of riding a mighty horse.  This frees the mind of impoverishment and revels the natural state of fearless abundance.

Sources:  M.B. Tosi: The Crimson Path of Honor

 Michael Carroll: Fearless at Work: Timeless Teachings for Awakening Confidence, Resilience, and Creativity in the Face of Life's Demands