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.