Fear. You can run from it all you want, but — if you do — it will always be there (in one form or another).
There are intelligent forms of fear and other forms of fear that are largely unintelligent. If you are walking through the woods and see a cluster of poison ivy (and have gotten severe rashes from it before) you naturally avoid it with (and “as”) a fear that is sensible and intelligent. If you are going along with others in an activity that you don’t really deem wise or wholesome, but are doing it just to “fit in” and not be rejected (as so many do with drugs, for example)… that may stem from a form of fear that is rather unintelligent and lopsided.
So many of us were taught that we are separate from our fears. When fear takes place, is it truly something that is separate from what you are? Instead of running from fears, or merely trying to manipulate them, it may be prudent to be in relationship with them… to carefully understand them and examine them (without manufactured distance and learned concepts, without fleeing). Fear often involves time; fear feeds on (and is) time. So many have fears about what the future may be (or may not be). Interestingly — though fear feeds on, involves, (and is) time — fleeing from fear involves time.
Separation from fears may go along with separation from other aspects in life… such as hopes, aspirations, dreams, speculations, and the images of others (that one deems separate from oneself). Hate often springs from unintelligent fear, for both are intrinsically bound in modes heavily involved with separation. Mental separation breeds both hate and indifference. When there is a wall of circumference around a (supposedly) separate self apart from fear, images, aspirations, and others… friction and turmoil often ensue. We can grow and wisely flower beyond the fragmentation and needless friction — internally and externally — if we perceive beyond mere separative and primitive processes.
Instead of merely just running from boredom, or fear, or loneliness, it may be prudent to remain with them (effortlessly observing) and learn from them intimately; then (out of the intimacy) if relationship with them truly changes naturally, they may flower into what transcends mediocrity, tradition, and fragmentation; then boredom and fear are no longer what they were (as part of broken, fragmentary isolation and separation).
Fire and ice. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
I’m always happy about your philosophical explanations of the world, Thomas. Thanks for telling it to us, have a nice day, regards Mitza
Thanks so much, Mitza! To me, it is much more important than the pictures. So many of us remain in the superficial, psychologically; so many rave about two dimensional pictures, yet our minds remain superficial, without a lot of depth. Hoping your week is superb! 🙂
I agree with you. The world doesn’t want to involve in problems, they tend to be very superficial, which I dislike a lot. It makes life a bit boring for me. I like depth in everything I say and do. I rather stay alone than having superficial talks. Thanks for your wishes. We had a very stormy night with heavy rain. 🙂
Alone with depth trumps superficial thoughts every time! 🙂
I am going to try this advice of “sitting with fear” and being curious about it. Thanks for sharing.
Good! Don’t merely look at it as if it is something separate (as you were taught); it isn’t something separate. The ironic thing is that most people are too afraid to do this! 🙂
Nice post Tom! I just to flee from fear due to unintelligence, but as i realized that this was only lengthening and strengthening the fear, i now try to just sit with fear and see it as an old friend who has news for me. Not always easy when the waves hit, but works much better than running away 🙂
just = used
Yes…that’s an interesting way of putting it. It’s an old friend (that is part of what you are). You can look at your left hand (from a distance)… and, in a way, it is your friend (who helps you do things); but it, also, is not separate from what you are. Looking with a field of separation — at fear — is far different from looking at it with integrity and a lack of conflict.
Stay perceptive and caring! 🙂
The last paragraph is insightful. Thank you, Tom!
🙂
Beautiful photo..!!! Good work..!!!