For many of us engaged in spiritual practices, or any form of healing work, there is an element of fear in our motivation. That’s usually not the whole story, and sometimes not a very large part of the story, but there may still be an element of fear there.
As usual, it’s normal, very understandable, and there is nothing inherently wrong with it. The downside is that it can be stressful, and it can
It’s good to notice and be honest about any fears so we can relate to them more intentionally.
One way to explore the fear is to ask ourselves: What do I fear if I don’t do these spiritual practices? If I don’t heal? If I don’t awaken? What’s the worst that can happen?
Meet the fear with some kindness and love. With gentle curiosity. And inquire into those fears and whatever identities are threatened. How does the mind creates its own experience of the fears? What’s associated with them? How does the mind relate to it? (Living Inquiries.) What are the beliefs? And what do I find when I examine them? (The Work.)
Unless we are mainly driven by fear, this type of examination won’t remove our motivation for engaging in these practices or healing work. We’ll still do it. We’ll just experience a bit more ease in how we relate to it.
Equally important, we may be more aware of the deeper, kinder, and more genuine motivations behind it.
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- the fear behind spiritual practices
- sometimes an element of fear behind spiritual practices, self-improvement etc.
- as usual, very understandable, normal, and nothing wrong with it
- but good to notice and relate to more intentionally
- what do I fear if I don’t do these spiritual practices, if I fail, if I fall off the wagon, what’s the worst that can happen
- meet with kindness, love + inquire into
- find more freedom around it
- will probably still do the practices, but from another place
- …..