Today’s lesson is from “The Fear Book” by Cheri Huber

Some things we may not think of as fear
– anger, sadness, irritation, urgency, depression, control issues –
are pointing to an underlying fear.  Resistance to doing something is one of the processes that masks fear.

Every time we choose “safety” we reinforce fear.   We close down.  We close off.  And our lives shrink.

Facing Fear with Compassion:  Recording and Listening Practice

The practice of recording and listening is one of the most powerful, transformative ways of directly accessing the wisdom, love, and compassion that is our authentic nature.  It is the most effective way we’ve found to learn to direct the attention.

It is based on the radical idea that we can live in our conversation about what is true, what is real, and what is arising in life in the moment instead of with the voices of egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate.

We are conditioned to believe many things are real that are nothing more than a combination of unexamined beliefs and assumptions.   We believe there is thing that is “fear,” but when we break it down we realize that without a label and a story the sensations could be anything and that sensations themselves have no inherent meaning.

Recording and Listening Exercise:   What fear do you want to work with?

  1. Turn on the recorder and record what the sensations in your body are, what story you hear inside your head, and what you are told it means to “Be afraid.”
  2. Sit quietly, breathe, and relax.  When you are ready, listen to the recording you made.   Move from being the one who is afraid to the sympathetic observer who can assist the one who is afraid.
  3. Imagine facing the situation you have identified as frightening.  Picture it as clearly as you can and feel the situation in your body.  Where do you feel them?  How would you describe them?  Is there anything inherently scare about the sensations you should be afraid?  Do they mean you are in danger?Record any insights or realizations you have seen in this exercise.
  4. What is the story implying will happen to you if you proceed?  Record it this way: “The story implies that I will…….”
  5. Listen to your recording of the person who is caught in fear.   Then swift on the recorder and offer that person the support and encouragements they need.
  6. To get a taste of directing the attention, record what you are grateful for in your life right now.  Be specific, descriptive, and effusive.   Record not just a list, but what you love, what is beautiful, what you care about, what makes you smile in your life that brings you gratitude.