A Litany Against Fear

Whenever I speak or write about fear, someone invariably says, “Fear can be a very healthy response.” True enough. Yet, there is more to this story, and more than a little benefit from exploring it.

As a survival strategy, humans (and most creatures for that matter) learn to assume risk when in the presence of exposure or something unfamiliar. Here are a couple of simple examples to illustrate:

· When we stand on some elevated feature, a cliff or a high-rise, we feel the exposure. For some of us, it’s merely a gentle exhilaration and for others it can rise to the level of phobia and terror. Regardless, we feel the exposure. That feeling does not mean there is risk, so the feeling we often label “fear” can be misleading.

· A similar experience comes to those who step out onto a stage for the first time. That feeling is also exposure, and it really can freak people out. It is not familiar, and once again labeling it “fear” can mislead.

So fear is not necessarily valid. However, that feeling is valuable data. It calls out and captures our attention so we can appraise a situation. Yet the data has to be explored rather than simply producing a reaction.

Perhaps one of the most potent reframes for fear comes from fiction, Frank Herbert’s epic book series, Dune. In the telling, there is a sect known as the Bene Gesserit, a mystical, spiritual group central to the Dune mythology. The members are psycho-spiritual warriors who have been deeply trained over many years to attain the highest-level of development. That tradition produced A Litany Against Fear to be used as mantra, or as practice:

“I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.”

The use of the Litany is high practice, a degree of mindfulness that is not common. That awareness is not blind, nor naïve, but it does allow for discernment. The ability to not respond or react until clarity comes is noteworthy. And unusual in most circumstances. More importantly, this kind of practice makes it more likely when we do act, it will be effective and based in reality not a delusion of fear.