Posted January 12th, 2010 by Daniel Doen Silberberg
Thoughts on fear:
The more conscious you are, the less fear you have.
Exercise. We don’t feel fear consciously. No one says “I’ll get up in the morning, have a cup of coffee, then be scared to death.” The minute we are aware of fear it starts to fade since it wasn’t conscious to begin with.
Stop and remember yourself. Focus on breathing. Concentrate on “I Am” on your out breath. Banish fear.
A study of obese people showed that observing themselves naked in front of a mirror for 10 minutes each day was the most effective way to lose weight. Do this with your fear. Observe yourself. Just see fear for what it is. You won’t want to live with it.
Daniel talked recently about actively “not knowing” what you are going to experience before you experience it. Don’t imagine you know what a Mormon temple looks like inside. Don’t imagine you know what a forsythia branch looks like in bloom. Go and take it in as if you’ve never seen one before.
This reminded me of a poem I have recited to myself every spring for the 20 years I’ve lived down a wooded lane. After months of snow, I’m so eager for the blossoms to emerge on the redbud tree. But what happens instead is a snowstorm, which threatens to dampen my spirits. After I remember this poem though, I go down the lane to see what surprises nature may have brought overnight. I’m glad I’ve been doing this for 20 years because, at 56 years old, I may have only thirty springs remaining to see the redbud tree in bloom.
Doen Sensei discussed the convergence of the study of excellence and the study of consciousness. The book “Talent Is Overrated” is mentioned with studies on high-performing individuals like Tiger Woods.