E-Paper
Overcome fear, shed attachments
We all honour men and women of courage. What prevents people from showing courage in their lives? Purely and simply ? their attachments.
We all honour men and women of courage. What prevents people from showing courage in their own lives? Purely and simply, it is their attachments. They fear losing what they have, defined by them in their hearts as their security.
Nothing in the world is secure. Life itself will be stripped from you someday - perhaps at a moment's notice, or even with no notice at all. You will find it helpful to keep in mind that security lies in yourself, not in anything outside.
Try visualising the worst thing that could happen to you. Perhaps it is failure, or poverty or serious illness or mockery and contempt from others. Perhaps it is death itself. Face such possibilities, mentally.
People usually try to brush these thoughts under the carpet. You will find it helpful, instead, to visualise a bonfire every night before you go to sleep. Cast joyfully into its flames every attachment, every fear of possible loss.
When you are left with nothing, you will still have yourself. That, you can never lose. Your own self.
I wrote a song many years ago that expresses this sentiment.
Go On Alone!
Walk like a man, even though you walk alone!
Why court approval, once the road is known?
Let come who will, but if they all stay home,
The goal still awaits you: Go on alone!
Follow your dream, though it leads to worlds unknown!
Life's but a shadow, once your dreams have flown.
What if men cry, "Your dream is not our own!"
Your soul knows the answer: Go on alone!
Give life your heart.
Bless everything that's grown.
Fear not the loving: All this world's your own.
Make rich the soil, but once the seed is sown
Seek freedom, don't linger: Go on Alone!
