ICRAVE Quality Over Fear

We know from short experiences how it is to have a free, unobstructed loving feeling about something/someone.

However…

• When we feel angry, jealous, lonely, alienated or resentful – then we feel cut off from this free flowing feeling
• World gets very small and inward (only focuses on ourselves)
• We may get lost in thought on how miserable we are feeling

Fear is a fundamental emotion

• We are afraid of something and then it starts to blossom
• Fear obscures this free and open quality of life

This can be true if you remain ignorant of what is happening to you and turn your attention to fear and common negative emotions. (shame, prejudice, etc)

It’s fine if we need to zone out after a hard day’s work but not good as a 24hour lifestyle

Quality of life

• Feelings of Love and Compassion are natural doorways of an open, clear, unobstructed quality of life
• Negative qualities can also become doorways to this quality of life

Re-source: Recondition

condition again

When energy arises that is uncomfortable, it triggers our conditioning, and we forget about any rational approach (we go nuts!).

• Phobias (strong fears)
  • Heights, flying, elevators, etc.
  • When the phobia enters we shut down
    • The last thing that occurs to us is to go into the fear

The approach – feeling of the fear that arises

•  “Confess your hidden faults”
• Approach what you find repulsive
• Help those you think you cannot help (those you do not want to help)
• Give away (let go of)anything that you are attached to
• Go to the places that scare you

None of us are hopeless.  We do not have to be embarrassed of who we are. Our lives, hearts and minds are workable.  There are methods to support us to the awakening of the fullness of life.

• In the process of doing this, we feel much more connected (to communicate and share)

2 techniques to Use

Meditation

• Allow for a lot of space for whatever arises
• When emotional stress arises, that is included in your meditation (not an obstacle, mistake, reason to repress)

 Tonglen

• heart practice to breath in what is unwanted and send out relief in some kind of form
• Way of connecting with other people’s suffering
• Working with your strong emotions
• Learn what it is to stand(walk) in the shoes of other people

craving and resource from “The Fearless Heart” – The practice of living with courage and compassion – by Pema Chodran