INTRODUCTION
What would it be like if we had the opportunity to have a conversation with the messenger of fear: our amygdala? As a chaplain of a patient population wherein trauma reigns, this imaginative conversation is important. Written by the Buddhist teacher and author, Pema Chodron, she invites us to consider the possibility of not giving power to fear. The point is not to protest against or run away from fear, but to confront fear face to face, and listen to fear attentively.
What would it be like if we had the opportunity to have a conversation with the messenger of fear: our amygdala? As a chaplain of a patient population wherein trauma reigns, this imaginative conversation is important. Written by the Buddhist teacher and author, Pema Chodron, she invites us to consider the possibility of not giving power to fear. The point is not to protest against or run away from fear, but to confront fear face to face, and listen to fear attentively.
FACING FEAR
Adapted by Chaplain Donnel from: (1) Mordo & the Ancient One from Dr. Strange film, and (2) a story by Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times (Shambhala; Anniversary Edition, 2000) page 46.
Once there was a young warrior. She said to her teacher: “I want the power to defeat my enemies. I want to learn to defeat my demons.”
Her teacher said: “Well then, to do that you need to do battle with Fear.”
She didn’t want to do that. Fear seemed too aggressive; it seemed too big, scary and unfriendly. But the master said that the young warrior had to see fear face to face in order to defeat it.
The master gave the young student instructions for the battle.
And so the day arrived, and the master instructed the young student warrior to stand on one side, right across where Fear stood. The young warrior was feeling very small, and Fear was looking big and wrathful. The young warrior roused herself, gathered all the courage she could muster within herself, and went toward Fear, and then bowed to fear. The warrior then asked Fear, “May I have permission to go into battle with you?”
Fear replied, “Thank you for showing me so much respect, and thank you for asking permission.”
Then the young warrior said, “So How can I defeat you?”
Adapted by Chaplain Donnel from: (1) Mordo & the Ancient One from Dr. Strange film, and (2) a story by Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times (Shambhala; Anniversary Edition, 2000) page 46.
Once there was a young warrior. She said to her teacher: “I want the power to defeat my enemies. I want to learn to defeat my demons.”
Her teacher said: “Well then, to do that you need to do battle with Fear.”
She didn’t want to do that. Fear seemed too aggressive; it seemed too big, scary and unfriendly. But the master said that the young warrior had to see fear face to face in order to defeat it.
The master gave the young student instructions for the battle.
And so the day arrived, and the master instructed the young student warrior to stand on one side, right across where Fear stood. The young warrior was feeling very small, and Fear was looking big and wrathful. The young warrior roused herself, gathered all the courage she could muster within herself, and went toward Fear, and then bowed to fear. The warrior then asked Fear, “May I have permission to go into battle with you?”
Fear replied, “Thank you for showing me so much respect, and thank you for asking permission.”
Then the young warrior said, “So How can I defeat you?”
Fear replied, “My weapons are that I talk fast, and I get very close to your face so I can be loud. Then you get completely unnerved, and you end up doing whatever I say. However, if you don’t do what I tell you, I have no power. You can listen to me, and you can have respect for me. You can even be convinced by me. But if you don’t do what I say, I have no power.”
With this knowledge the student warrior learned how to defeat and disarm Fear. Before she departed, she bowed to Fear once more to show respect.
After that interaction, the student went to her teacher and said: “Thank you for giving me the power to eradicate my enemy Fear. Thank you for showing me how to make Fear disappear.
The master said: “My dear young student, I’m so sorry if I misled you. But I want you to understand that while we might be able to disempower Fear, we cannot make them vanish or disappear. We only learn to live above them.”
With this knowledge the student warrior learned how to defeat and disarm Fear. Before she departed, she bowed to Fear once more to show respect.
After that interaction, the student went to her teacher and said: “Thank you for giving me the power to eradicate my enemy Fear. Thank you for showing me how to make Fear disappear.
The master said: “My dear young student, I’m so sorry if I misled you. But I want you to understand that while we might be able to disempower Fear, we cannot make them vanish or disappear. We only learn to live above them.”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What did you find to be the most important part of the story? What resonated with you?
- What experiences have you had that is close to this story?
- Where do you find yourself in this story? Which part of the story is about you?
Guide for Facilitators of Spiritual Care Groups
