Awareness Cannot Know Fear

Summary

The video script delves into the concept of fear and its relationship with awareness. It suggests that living without fear requires learning to live with it, rather than trying to eliminate it. The dialogue explores how fear can be perpetuated by the 'separate self' and how true awareness is not afraid or resistant. The speaker encourages viewers to examine the raw sensations of fear without the filter of thought, to understand that fear itself is not inherently negative or destructive. The conversation aims to help individuals recognize that their true nature is an ever-present, unlimited awareness that is not threatened by fear.

Takeaways

• 😌 To live without fear, one must first learn to live with it, acknowledging that avoidance only perpetuates fear.
• 🧘‍♂️ The separate self often misappropriates non-dual teachings, using awareness as a means to avoid fear rather than truly understanding it.
• 💡 Awareness itself does not experience fear or resistance; it simply is, and understanding this can help dissolve the grip of fear.
• 🤔 The fear of fear is often rooted in thoughts and stories we attach to the sensations, rather than the sensations themselves.
• 🔍 Exploring the raw sensation of fear without interpretation can reveal that it is not inherently unpleasant or problematic.
• 💬 When thoughts about fear are set aside, the sensation of fear itself does not carry the same weight or emotional charge.
• 🌪️ The sensation of fear is described as a continually changing, neutral vibration that is not inherently negative.
• 🕊️ The process of separating sensation from thought can lead to a realization that the sensation itself is not the problem, but the thoughts attached to it are.
• 🌟 Awareness is ever-present and unlimited, and recognizing this can help one understand that fear cannot truly harm or annihilate it.
• 🌱 As one investigates the nature of fear, the sensation may gradually lose its intensity and dissolve into the space of awareness.
• 💧 The practice of contemplation is not about getting rid of fear but about understanding the truth of our experience, with the dissolution of fear being a natural consequence.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the transcript?

The main theme of the transcript revolves around understanding and living with fear, rather than trying to eliminate it, and exploring the nature of awareness in relation to fear.

Why does the speaker suggest that trying to get rid of fear might actually perpetuate it?

The speaker suggests that attempting to get rid of fear without understanding it can perpetuate it because it treats the symptom rather than the cause, and fear is often a resistance to what is truly happening within us.

What does the speaker mean by 'abiding as awareness'?

'Abiding as awareness' refers to being present and aware in the moment, without judgment or resistance, allowing experiences to be as they are without trying to change or avoid them.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between the separate self and non-dual teachings?

The speaker describes the separate self as potentially misusing non-dual teachings to avoid confronting fear, pretending to be aware in order to resist or get rid of fear, rather than truly embracing the teachings.

What is the speaker's view on the nature of awareness in relation to fear?

The speaker views awareness as something that is inherently fearless and cannot be overwhelmed or annihilated by fear. Awareness simply is, without resistance or judgment towards fear.

What does the speaker suggest is the first step in truly understanding fear?

The first step suggested by the speaker is to turn towards the feeling of fear fully and without resistance, allowing it to be without the slightest trace of resistance, to see what remains of the fear.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of separating sensation from thought?

The speaker emphasizes this because thoughts often add interpretations and labels to sensations, such as labeling a physical sensation as fear or unpleasantness. By separating sensation from thought, one can experience the raw sensation without these mental constructs.

What is the purpose of the speaker's contemplation of the body and its sensations?

The purpose of the contemplation is to discover the truth of our experience, to see what is truly there beyond the labels and interpretations of the mind, and to allow for a deeper understanding of the nature of fear and awareness.

How does the speaker address the idea of fear being overwhelming or annihilating?

The speaker addresses this by questioning who or what is actually being overwhelmed or annihilated, suggesting that these are thoughts and interpretations rather than the reality of the experience, and that awareness itself cannot be destroyed or harmed.

What does the speaker mean when they refer to the sensation of fear as 'morphing' or changing?

The speaker means that the physical sensation associated with fear is not static; it changes in intensity and quality over time, much like a cloud or vibration, and this changeability is part of the nature of the sensation itself.

How does the speaker view the process of dealing with fear and other intense emotions?

The speaker views the process as one of loving contemplation and exploration, where each layer of feeling is allowed to come into the light and be examined without resistance, leading to a gradual dissolution of the intensity of the emotion as it is separated from its mental constructs.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Embracing Fear as a Path to Fearlessness

The first paragraph explores the concept that living without fear requires first learning to live with it. It emphasizes that attempts to eliminate fear often unintentionally perpetuate it. The speaker encourages recognizing the tendency to avoid fear and instead suggests facing it directly. There's a discussion about the misuse of non-dual teachings to avoid fear, rather than truly understanding it. The paragraph concludes with the idea that awareness itself does not fear annihilation and that our attempts to manage fear are often misguided and stem from a misunderstanding of our true nature.

05:06

🧘‍♂️ Awareness and the Nature of Fear

This paragraph delves into the relationship between awareness and fear. It posits that awareness, by its nature, does not experience fear or resistance. The speaker uses the analogy of an empty room to illustrate that awareness, like the room, does not judge or fear. The paragraph encourages fully turning towards fear without resistance to see what remains. It suggests that the true nature of awareness is never overwhelmed or annihilated by any feeling, and that fear is a construct of thought rather than a sensation in itself.

10:13

🌪️ The Sensation of Fear Unveiled

The third paragraph examines the physical sensation of fear, distinct from the thoughts and stories attached to it. The speaker invites the listener to explore the sensation of fear as a constantly changing, neutral vibration. The discussion highlights that the sensation itself is not inherently unpleasant or fearful, but our thoughts add these qualities. The paragraph concludes with the realization that without thoughts, the sensation of fear is just another neutral aspect of our experience.

15:21

💡 Separating Sensation from Thought

Here, the speaker discusses the importance of separating the raw sensation of fear from the thoughts that label and interpret it. The paragraph focuses on the idea that our interpretations of sensations are not inherent to the sensations themselves. It suggests that by focusing on the pure sensation without thought, we can see that it is not the sensation that is problematic, but our thoughts about it. The speaker also touches on the physical manifestation of these thoughts in the body and how contemplation can lead to a release of tension.

20:23

🕊️ Dissolving Fear Through Contemplation

In the final paragraph, the speaker talks about the process of contemplation as a means to dissolve fear. It suggests that as we lovingly contemplate our experiences, we begin to see the truth of our sensations without the overlay of thought. The paragraph emphasizes that the dissolution of fear is not the goal, but a natural consequence of understanding the true nature of our experience. It concludes with the idea that as we release our attachment to the labels of fear, we can experience the raw sensation as it is, leading to a deeper understanding and acceptance of our emotional landscape.

Keywords

💡Fear

Fear in the context of the video refers to an unpleasant emotion caused by perceived threats or dangers. It is a central theme as the speaker discusses the idea of living with fear rather than trying to eliminate it. The script mentions, 'if we want to live without fear we first have to learn to live with it,' illustrating the notion that acknowledging and understanding fear is the first step towards overcoming it.

💡Awareness

Awareness is presented as a state of conscious perception and understanding. The video emphasizes the importance of being aware of one's fear without judgment or resistance. For example, the script states, 'be knowingly the presence of awareness,' suggesting that true awareness does not react to fear but simply observes its presence.

💡Resistance

Resistance is the act of opposing or fighting against something, in this case, fear. The video suggests that resistance to fear can actually perpetuate it. The speaker says, 'awareness cannot know fear it cannot no resistance,' indicating that true awareness does not resist but accepts all experiences, including fear.

💡Non-dual Teaching

Non-dual teaching refers to spiritual or philosophical concepts that emphasize the oneness of existence, as opposed to the dualistic view of self and other. The script mentions the misuse of non-dual teachings to avoid fear, 'the separate self...uses abiding as awareness as a means of avoiding fear,' highlighting the potential for misinterpretation of such teachings.

💡Perpetuating

Perpetuating means to cause something to continue or keep it going. In the video, it is used to describe how attempts to get rid of fear can actually make it last longer. The script says, 'we are without realizing it simply perpetuating it,' referring to the unintentional prolonging of fear through avoidance strategies.

💡Annihilation

Annihilation is the concept of being completely destroyed or wiped out. The video discusses the fear of annihilation as a deep-seated concern. The speaker asks, 'what are you afraid that the fear will do to you,' and mentions the fear of being 'overwhelmed or annihilated,' indicating a profound existential fear.

💡Separate Self

The term 'separate self' refers to the individual ego or identity that perceives itself as distinct from others and the world. The video talks about how this sense of self can misuse teachings to avoid fear, 'the separate self...is just pretending to be awareness,' showing the video's exploration of the illusory nature of the ego.

💡Sensation

Sensation is the physical feeling or perception experienced in the body. The video encourages exploring the sensations associated with fear without labeling them. The script says, 'go deeply into that vibration,' urging the audience to examine the physical manifestations of fear without the interference of thought.

💡Thought

Thought is the process of thinking or the content of cognition. The video discusses the role of thought in creating and perpetuating fear. It is mentioned that 'it's my thoughts,' when referring to the source of the problem with fear, indicating that thoughts can amplify and distort the experience of fear.

💡Contemplation

Contemplation is the act of thinking deeply about something. The video promotes a form of contemplation that is loving and non-judgmental. The speaker says, 'this loving contemplation of the body,' referring to a mindful exploration of physical sensations that can lead to a deeper understanding and release of tension.

💡Dissociation

Dissociation in this context refers to the separation of feelings from thoughts. The video suggests that by dissociating the sensation of fear from the thoughts associated with it, one can see it more clearly. The script mentions, 'separate the feeling and the thought,' indicating a process of deconstructing the experience of fear to its raw components.

Highlights

Living without fear requires learning to live with it, acknowledging its presence rather than trying to avoid or eliminate it.

Our attempts to get rid of fear may unintentionally perpetuate it, as we dance around it without truly confronting it.

The separate self may misuse non-dual teachings to avoid fear, pretending to be awareness to resist fear instead of genuinely abiding in it.

Awareness itself does not know fear or resistance; it simply is, without judgment or reaction to fear.

Turning towards fear without resistance can reveal the true nature of fear and potentially diminish its power.

The sensation of fear in the body is described as a continually changing, neutral vibration that is not inherently unpleasant.

The unpleasantness of fear is often a construct of thought, not an inherent quality of the sensation itself.

Awareness is ever-present and unlimited, incapable of being overwhelmed or annihilated by any sensation, including fear.

The process of contemplation and exploration of fear can lead to a separation of sensation from thought, revealing the pure experience.

The body's tension and constriction are released through deep, loving contemplation, as part of the natural unwinding process.

The dissolution of fear's labels and the experience of raw sensation can lead to relaxation and expansion into open awareness.

As fear loses its intensity and labels, it may dissipate, revealing the space of awareness into which it melts.

The exploration of fear should not be a practice to eliminate unpleasant feelings but a loving contemplation to discover the truth of our experience.

The gradual dissolution of fear is a side effect of genuine contemplation, not its intended purpose.

The emergence of sadness as another layer of feeling suggests that hidden emotions can dictate our lives from the shadows.

Allowing sadness to surface and be fully explored without the impulse to get rid of it can lead to deeper understanding and release.

Awareness is described as pure openness and sensitivity, inherently capable of allowing any feeling without being harmed.

The realization that feelings are ultimately made of awareness can lead to a transformative understanding of their nature and impact.

Transcripts

if we want to live without fear we  have to first learn to live with it

with fear with it yeah  there's no way around that No

so really consider that yeah if we want  

to live without fear we first  have to learn to live with it

in other words if we are doing  anything to get rid of our fear  

because it is so unpleasant we are without  realizing it simply perpetuating it yeah

that's that that's the first thing to understand

and it takes some courage just to  understand that we've been dancing  

around our fear or our life managing  it suppressing it's fulfilling aids

even using this awareness - sorry said we're  nice to go away from you see I think it's some  

I'm tweaking myself because then I think I can go  into what I really am to understand what I mean  

and then in a way I jumping over to understand  what I say yes even the separate self even manages  

to appropriate the non-dual teaching and uses  abiding as awareness as a means of avoiding fear  

yeah that's not truly abiding as awareness in that  case the separate self has just is just pretending  

to be awareness in order to do what it really  wants to do which is get rid of or resist fear

but it's good that you see that you see  then tendency of the separate self to  

appropriate the non-dual teaching in order  to perpetuate the fear that is at its origin

what are you afraid that the fear will do to you

is destroying extremes in the way  because I have been nothing I have  

had experience I've been no thing and  he's wonderful but very specifically  

what are you afraid that the fear will do  to you why are you so afraid of the fear

but it must be two boys later my very useless  and any destroy and annihilate me yeah but in  

a way so what I really want so it's strange I  think but it's something mental going in here

what does awareness have to say about the matter

if you ask awareness what it thinks or feels  about the fear does awareness reply no I'm  

afraid of being overwhelmed or annihilated by  others awareness say but but awareness just is  

there's no problem there he  doesn't say anything about it

it was there just how to be there where they do  it's not even that you just have to be there with  

it you awareness are already there with it hmm to  have to be that with it would be turning this into  

a subtle practice and therefore it would be an  activity of the mind I must try to be with my fear  

willow to be honest I don't really want to but I  must try even harder to yeah to try and be with my  

fear I welcome it because I really want to get rid  of it that's that's nothing to do with what we're  

speaking of you know that would be an activity of  the mine and as we all know well no the the trying  

to be with it is just a subtle way of perpetuating  it just we try to be with it because what we  

really want to do is get rid of it yeah it's  not about it's not about trying to do anything  

it's it's nothing to do with an activity of the  mind or the cessation of an activity in the mind

go back to the feeling of fear

be knowingly the presence of awareness  when I say knowingly I mean you are  

that already you don't have to become  that just recognize that you are that

as a halfway stage we could say  that awareness allows the fear to  

be actually that's not even true  awareness doesn't even know fear  

in order to no fear we have to no resistance  yes fear is resistance I don't like  

awareness cannot no resistance how could the  empty space of this room say to somebody that  

walks through the door I don't like him I'm afraid  of you you might harm me you might annihilate me  

empty space can't say that it empty space doesn't  know the meaning of the word resistance or fear

awareness doesn't know fear it cannot no fear  

we may say the teaching may say as an as a  concession to the feeling of fear the the  

teaching may stay at say as an intermediary  step awareness welcomes the fear or allows  

the fear that's a legitimate concession  to make but actually it's not quite true

awareness cannot know fear  because it cannot know resistance

- if you

and that the way to discover this  for yourself is to turn towards  

this feeling of fear so fully so completely  to allow it into you without the slightest  

trace of resistance and then to turn  around and see what remains of the fear

can you do that can you can you allow this  fear so completely even the possibility  

that it might annihilate you  can you allow that so fully

or rather can you see but what you  essentially are already allows that  

so fully without the slightest resistance to it

it's like it's very violent my body are so what

is that a problem for awareness so when you say  it's violent in your body that there's some some  

agitation in the body some intensity of sensation  but I don't mean so what disrespectfully I mean  

so what fit for whom is that a problem for  me personally for what are you referring to  

all right what I are a my Farrington it's a  problem for thought one little thought that  

says I don't liked it just this is five second  long thought it's a problem for that thought  

yeah it's and then when that thought disappears  as it does in two or three seconds where does the  

problem in it's coming again and in between  the two thoughts where is the problem it's  

just empty so you it's just just in this little  thought in the absence of that thought where is  

the resistance where is the problem in the fear  in the violence in the body that the agitation  

in the body who is saying I can't bear this I  can't stand this this is going to overwhelm me  

has aware has ever been overwhelmed in your  experience has any feeling ever failed awareness  

from as any feeling as any feeling ever veiled or  hidden the light of awareness in your experience  

no could any feeling ever hide or obscure  awareness no so what is it that is going to be  

overwhelmed or annihilated by fear by this fear  but the feeling is in the mind it's my thoughts

but it's like which is how power is evolving  in its like it's it's just sitting it yes so  

that there's the thought of fear with  all the stories that are attached yeah  

to it and then there's the deeper root of  fear which is a sensation in the body is

divested of the story that is attached to that  sensation what is the sensation itself explore  

the sensation in the same way that we did in our  meditation indeed we'll try to go with this place  

where he did in there yes here wait city tastehh  can you use the mic yeah it also changed to okay  

so that this fear in the body it's changing it's  like a sensation that is continually changing  

it moves around it becomes more intense  it becomes less intense it's like like a  

cloud or a vibration that's always changing  its shape but go deeply into that vibration

and go through a similar exploration that we did  earlier this afternoon how old is that vibration

but it feels it it has always been here  

when you say it has always been here you're  referring to time yes that means you're  

referring to your thoughts that's right refer to  the sensation how long has this current vibration  

this a more first moving vibration that you  had that thought and touches the label fear  

how long has it been present to help us just now  yeah does it have a history no it can't have it

if you had to describe this sensation  to us how would you describe it

well now put it into labels because it's like  seeking okay that's fine so it's morphing it's  

changing its shaking its shaking but but the  shaking is itself a vibration yeah it's just  

a neutral vibration is it painful no not special  it is oh is it a problem it's unpleasant I think  

it's unpleasant No okay so go there go to the  feeling of am present is it really unpleasant  

the actual sensation itself is it unpleasant or is  unpleasantness added by thought remember you're a  

newborn baby you're made of pure sensitivity  you know nothing but the current experience

is it really unpleasant I can feel  the thoughts this don't just leave  

your thoughts in the background just turn  the volume down leave them running in the  

background and refer directly to the  sensation no it's just sensations just  

sensation is it a problem though  or not was that if I don't think

if you don't think about it do you know I  don't know if that I'm nervous no I don't  

think about exactly well that's what I was  going to ask if you don't think about it  

do you know that this sensation is something  called fear know is there any inherent fear in  

the sensation itself no it can't be well  is it made out of exactly the same stuff  

go to the sensation of the soles of your  feet yeah yeah would you call that label  

would you label that sensation fear no or  is it just a neutral amorphous tingling  

vibration now compare these two sensations  the sensation at the toes of your feet which  

is just neutral sensation and the sensation  in your chest what's the difference between

it's only that I put leave don't refer to your  labels refer just to the sensation without the  

labels what's the difference between them it's a  little more intense okay little bit more intense

but apart from that any difference

no not from this perspective is it as  an intense as a headache no could you  

live with this feeling in your  chest for the rest of your life

but I haven't really I know right but it's  so unpleasant yes but it's a good you've  

just said that it's not unpleasant if you  don't refer to your thoughts go back to the  

sensation just the sensation could you live  with that sensation for the rest of your life

yeah I hoped so but I know it's I know  it's my mind okay but that's very good  

that's very good because you're you're seeing  how anything or interpretation gets mixed up  

with the senses every time you say I can't  live with this you're actually referring to  

your thoughts not to your experience  of the body not to your sensation

so I have just separated

separate the feeling and the thought

in this running away being exercise for me to  do yes [ __ ] chessy what you want to do is to

just to experience the raw sensation without  interpretation without thoughts without the  

labels that thought adds to it this is fear  this is unpleasant this has been with me for  

all my life this is going to annihilate me etc  etc none of those thoughts actually belong to  

the sensation if you put those thoughts on  one side you don't even have to get rid of  

them just if you put them on one side if you don't  refer to them just refer to the sensation itself

without referring to thought you wouldn't  even know that this sensation was something  

called fear you don't even know it's  something called a body that it has  

an age or agenda or it's just raw tingling  vibrating sensation just made out of knowing

there's no resistance in the sensation

even in the priceless is heavy I like  some I can't really breathe it's going  

also into a breath okay that that's  that's perfect so you see how this

this feeling of being a separate  self unlimited self as you rightly  

say he goes into the body he goes into the  breath it's a kind of constriction yeah and  

this very deep loving contemplation  of the body that we do effortlessly  

releases this constriction it's not it's not  the purpose of this contemplation the purpose  

of this contemplation is just to see what is  true but the release of this constriction is  

just a side effect an inevitable consequence  of this loving contemplation of the body

but you're right the body is wound up the body  and the breath is wound up into a state of tension

on behalf of that belief that what I am  is a separate temporary limited awareness

when we discovered that what we truly are is  this ever-present unlimited awareness the body  

gradually unwinds in this awareness it gradually  relaxes and expands into this open empty awareness

I can feel it is changing so it doesn't mean  some worse if it's a oh it's not yeah exactly  

exactly to begin with the sensation of fear  loses its labels gradually each label as it  

is seen to be untrue is dropped and then in  time there is a relaxation and then for a  

while you just feel the raw sensation without  the labels and then in a time because then the  

sensation is there only to mimic the presence  of a separate self that is it's only function  

it's just there to mimic the presence  of a non-existent self it's quite funny  

in a way it's funny but as as the sensation is  relieved of all its labels for a while you just  

experience the raw sensation which is neither  pleasant-nor-painful energy and it gradually  

loses its tension it it dissipates it relaxes  it opens up it melts into the space of awareness

then as I said as one sensation dissolves  you may find that another layer of feeling  

begins to bubble up to the surface again  you just go through the same exploration

being very careful not to turn this into a  practice that you undertake in order to get  

rid of unpleasant feelings it's the opposite  it's just a loving contemplation to discover  

the truth of our experience the gradual  eventual dissolution of these feelings is  

it is a side effect an inevitable consequence  of this loving contemplation not its purpose

I can feel the dog so I was like  an effete of the lover now yes

when disablers

yes that that's very good the sadness  is another layer another layer that  

has been kept successfully at bay all  this time hidden in the body dictating  

our thoughts feelings activities and  relationships from behind the scenes

that's now that sadness is coming  up into the light of a when's

be very sensitive to the impulse to get  rid of that sadness let it come fully

and explore it in the same way I understood  awareness in in this way as I do now before

I think think of awareness just as pure  openness pure sensitivity for allowing

it doesn't have to be made like that it  is ready and always like that that is you

it cannot be destroyed or harmed or hurt  by any feeling it cannot be overwhelmed

but this is also me this so

it's true that these feelings are

ultimately made out of awareness that  is very true and it's changing yeah

and then the resistance is coming and result

their assistants and they are coming  resistance but none is it what is