|
|
|
Quotations on:
Fear, Anxiety
The Buddha |
From what is dear, grief
is born,
from what is dear, fear is born.
For someone freed from what is dear
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From what is loved, grief is born,
from what is loved, fear is born.
For someone freed from what is loved,
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From delight, grief is born,
from delight, fear is born.
For someone freed from delight
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From sensuality, grief is born,
from sensuality, fear is born.
For someone freed from sensuality
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From craving, grief is born,
from craving, fear is born.
For someone freed from craving
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
Dhammapada 212-216
Those who are afraid when there should be no fear, and are not afraid when there should be fear, such men, due to their wrong views go to woeful states.
Dhammapada 317
The thought would occur to me: ‘Is this that fear & terror coming?’ Then the thought occurred to me: ‘Why do I just keep waiting for fear? What if I were to subdue fear & terror in whatever state they come?’ So when fear & terror came while I was walking back & forth, I would not stand or sit or lie down. I would keep walking back & forth until I had subdued that fear & terror. When fear & terror came while I was standing, I would not walk or sit or lie down. I would keep standing until I had subdued that fear & terror. When fear & terror came while I was sitting, I would not lie down or stand up or walk. I would keep sitting until I had subdued that fear & terror. When fear & terror came while I was lying down, I would not sit up or stand or walk. I would keep lying down until I had subdued that fear & terror.
Bhaya-bherava Sutta
|
The Buddha discovered how to conquer absolutely
what man fears: he discovered a practical method, now called Buddhism,
for eliminating suffering.
Ven. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
His Holiness the Dalai Lama |
Question: How can one work with deep fears most effectively?
His Holiness : There are quite a number of methods. The first is to think about actions
and their effects. Usually when something bad happens, we say, "Oh, very
unlucky," and when something good happens, we say, "Oh, very lucky."
Actually, these two words, lucky and unlucky, are insufficient. There must be
some reason. Because of a reason, a certain time became lucky or unlucky, but
usually we do not go beyond lucky or unlucky. The reason, according to the Buddhist
explanation, is our past karma, our actions.
One way to work with deep fears is to think that the fear comes as a result
of your own actions in the past. Further, if you have fear of some pain or suffering,
you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can,
there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is
also no need to worry.
Another technique is to investigate who is becoming afraid. Examine the nature
of your self. Where is this I? Who is I? What is the nature of I? Is there an
I besides my physical body and my consciousness? This may help.
Also, someone who is engaging in the Bodhisattva practices seeks to take others'
suffering onto himself or herself. When you have fear, you can think, "Others
have fear similar to this; may I take to myself all of their fears." Even
though you are opening yourself to greater suffering, taking greater suffering
to yourself, your fear lessens.
A Policy of Kindness: An Anthology of Writings By and
About the Dalai Lama
|
Fearlessness is the most prominent characteristic
of all bodhisattvas and all who tread the bodhisattva path. For
them, life has lost its terrors and suffering its sting. Instead
of scorning earthly existence, or condemning its 'imperfection',
they fill it with a new meaning.
Lama Anagorika Govinda in 'A Living Buddhism for the
West'
The fear of death and infernal rebirths
due to my evil actions has led me to practice
in solitude in the snowcapped mountains.
On the uncertainty of life's duration
and the moment of death I have deeply meditated
Thus have I reached the deathless, unshakable citadel
of realization of the absolute essence.
My fear and doubts have vanished like mist
into the distance, never to disturb me again.
I will die content and free from regrets.
This is the fruit of Dharma practice.
Milarepa, from 'Fruit of Dharma Practice'
The Buddhist therapy of treating exaggerated
fears is probably not essentially different from the Western ways
of treatment. Treatment is based on trying to see that fear is
a form of suffering that we wish to get rid of, and using habituation
and the control of our mind to dissolve irrational fears. It is
only that Buddhism tries to take the solution of mental problems
to their very end, to stop our very potential for suffering and
problems by achieving liberation and enlightenment.
From: Dealing
with Fear - Tonglen Practice by Ringu Tulku
The presence of fear means only that
fear is present, and nothing more.
Suzanne Segal
Just before departure and during the
flight, it is very good to recite the names of the ten directions’
Buddhas. If you keep on reciting the names, in whichever direction
you are flying, if you recite that Buddha’s names and pay
one-pointed attention to this, not only will you be free from
danger, but your wishes will be fulfilled. So not only is this
for safe travel, but for the successful fulfillment of whatever
goals you had for going in that direction.
It is very good to pray not just for your own safety, but on behalf
of all the people in the airplane—all 300 passengers and
crew, or however many people there are—for them all to have
a safe journey. Not only that, but you can pray that whoever this
airplane carries may always be safe. It’s very good to pray
like that.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche - in answer to a question on fear of flying.
Last
updated:
December 11, 2016
|
