In order to have psychological fear, psychological time is a fundamental necessity. (Thinking and psychological time are not two separate things.) Without some protrusion of thought about some distant event in the future, there would be no psychological fear. That distance (that the mind fabricates about the future) necessarily involves space (and sequential duration)… which are projected by (and “as”) the mind. “In the future, something terrible might happen.” “In the future, I might not have enough friends.” There may be innumerable fears, such as the two aforementioned ones, that can plague a human’s mind. Then one may say that one would like to get rid of the many fears that one has. Somewhat ironically, the very desire to get rid of these fears is (in a real way) an extension of fear; it (itself) is, in a big way, an extension of (or precursor to) more fear.
Who is dealing (internally) with the fears? If one is looking at the fears with a feeling of control or manipulation, then one is assuming that the fears exist at some distance (to somehow “manipulate”). However, (psychologically, whether we like it or not) the manipulator is not separate from the manipulated; the two are both part of the thought/thinking process… and (in a big way) are not two separate things. Trying to “get rid” of the fear causes the mind to fabricate the controller, the “I” or the “me” who is allegedly separate from the fear.
Many types of sequential thinking (i.e., many forms of sequential thinking) — in most people — trigger thoughts that project (often needless) fear about what may happen in the future (along with thoughts of an “I” or a “me” that will be dealing with things). (Sequential thinking that reflects order is very good; sequential thinking — especially the muddled, psychological kind learned from miseducation — that reflects disorder is bad.) A keen perception that observes this whole process (and that goes beyond fabricating a separate “me” apart from the fear) has gone beyond friction and then has tremendous energy, wholeness, and insight. Insight is timeless energy; most people, unfortunately, waste energy. Timeless energy is beyond the chaos that manifests as mere psychological time. (In true silence there is great energy/insight; however, there is no “I” or “me” who can take one to that silence through the process of sequential time.)
Drops from Above … Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2019
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Intriguing post – though not easy, my approach to fear of future unknowns is to embrace possibilities as constructive challenges that I will grow through, or possibly be released from life’s struggle through (ultimate growth). Beneath my “fear management” are a basic curiosity and the premise of “I don’t know” – both applicable to past, now, and future … and to your post!
Gorgeous photo.
Thanks, Jazz! 🙂 Tweetie (our parrot), when you ask her how she’s doing replies either with, “pretty good,” “better,” or “I don’t know.” The “I don’t know,” to her, i suspect, refers to a state beyond thinking. 🙂
when monkey start feeling fear monkey just say czy mogę dostać coś jedzenia.
🙂 Dig into your foodless fears!
Powerful message–powerful photo.
Much appreciated, Miss P.! 🙂
Your photo’s wonderful. It’s the very essence of green. I smiled at your thoughts, too. My mother was what I always called a “what-iffer.” Her ability to “but what if” any situation in life was remarkable, to say the least.
Thanks about the photo, Linda! 🙂
Ah, those “but what if”ers; i wonder what nightmarish dreams they must have!
Most interesting article Tom and wonderful accompanying photograph.
Thank you, Belinda! 🙂 Cold and rainy today!
Gorgeous capture, Tom! ❤
Thank you, Donna! 🙂 Keep snappin’!
Important reading, and something I took to heart many years ago, it has altered the way I see myself and function in the world.