When I was taking my Yoga Teacher Training, I learned this phrase that helps me when anxiety and fear take over: “In this moment, I am fine.” It brings me right back to the present and away from hyper focusing on a future I can’t control. I admit, my anxiety is over the top these days and I’m having a really hard time being mindful of the present. Meditation works as well and I need to do that more often. It’s just easier and more immediate to “eat” my fear with chocolate or “drink” my fear with a cocktail or glass of wine, both of which I know don’t address the underlying issue and actually exacerbate it. That’s why I’m taking this workshop – to hopefully break that unhealthy cycle of coping with fear and anxiety.
I am generally a loner but have no problem being with other people socially. It is almost a ridiculous situation but I understand how fear can stifle someone into avoiding the obvious. Not spending much time with others. I enjoy this four talks as they make me question some of my reactions to myself and how I relate to others.
Ana María González Fernández, Another Field, ESsays
After having studied psychology, attachment styles, and philosophy and having listened to Tara for some time I have come to understand certain things. It is all a big business. Whether it is personal development studies which I am passionate about, or whether it is Tara´s lovely inspiring speeches it is all a big business. They do provide moments of beauty and reflection in our lives but those are things that as Sydney Zarlengo says in her video about capitalism part 3 and disability, it should be things we learn from when we are very young kids as basic care and not have to pay the psychology or self-help industry so much money in order to get these tools, for our well-being. This crazy capitalism is taking so many lives whether it be by suicide or other ways and it has gone from market economy to market society according to Michael J Sandel and I agree with him.
Share my fear with close friend and the nature. The nature make me humbled over over the power in the life force, over time and over fears and problems. I soften.
What helps me with worrying about things not working (like technology especially) is to first admit that I’m nervous about changing something on my computer, for example…and I resist the change until I take time to be with it, and process my feelings, and calm myself; then, I try to gather info or facts about it, ask questions, like ‘If I do this, what will it look like? Will I notice the change? Will it change other
things on my computer and how they look or sound?’…and then if it seems ok, I’ll let my husband do one thing at a time on the computer, show me, and then I need to be with it for a week maybe with no glitches so I feel comfortable. Mostly, I find that asking questions and coming up with a plan over time based on an informed decision works best to calm my anxiety.
Note: this is very hard for my family to accept and deal with…but just telling me not to worry, or that I’m crazy etc. doesn’t help me…
Being reminded of past times where fear has been faced and endured. Learning to use inner and outer resources to meet fear with hope, love, awareness & compassion
Thank you for making it possible for us to join. I plan to use the resources here for my personal growth and for self treating my chronic anxiety condition.
This information is very helpful. It made me look at some of my personal stuff. I know others would benifit greatly from knowing and hearing this info. Fear is such a life energy stealer.
The 3 steps to break the worry addiction are excellent. yes will take time and practice but I could feel my body relax with one practice.
Thank you so much.
I try to face fear by talking about it with my closest friends and getting their reassurance and support. I also ask myself, ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ In most cases this helps me realize my worst fears are unwarranted and that I will be able to move beyond them. Thanks for the very helpful video.
When I remember, this helps me step back from the emotion that is presenting and peel the layers of it to find the root fear . Then can either recognise it has no real basis or act to mitigate it rather than spend time being distracted by what my self defence is emoting.
Regular meditation, mindfulness and practice breathwork all help to support me. Reminding myself and honoring my own achievements.
However, a singular key choice for me that I made in 1996 was to take the time and give the energy to befriend and get to know better my Inner Child. The aim is to give him an empowered voice in my life now. To use Tara’s analogy about the ocean.
My Inner Child is like the moon that influences the tides. It is the my own tides I am sailing on or swimming in and being water logged by. So gaining some acknowledgement, acceptance and understanding of that influence is of huge benefit. Two of the gifts of this friendship have been access to my Inner Childs Imagination and Curiosity.
I Offer an example of a fictional conversation using ideas of Louise Hey between me now
LH: A worry is only a thought and a thought can be changed.
PM But its not a thought its a feeling.
LH Oh that just a thought racing round the body.
Enter my inner child
PM (Inner Child) Really does it go really fast, What color is it has it got legs or is it like a wiggly worm.
I would not have consciously thought that 10 years ago.
This is not written to minimize or trivialize anyone’s fears which are unique to them as is the empowerment needed to manage them.
It is simply to acknowledge that my Inner Child can me laugh in the now and that is fun, healing and empowering and helps me face my fears better.
This is so true. Fear is the root cause of everything. I think positive self image and unconditional positive regard for ourselves can help us face our fears.
acknowledging fear, recognising where it sits in the body, describing the sensations of fear, watching fear dissipate as the acceptance of its presence in my system/client’s system allows it’s power to fade. Identifying painful experiences and tensions loosens their physiological and psychological grip on body and mind. Being afraid of fear exacerbates fear. Kindly allowing feelings considered ‘bad’ or scarey calms the system and releases tension
Someone told me some time ago, that this time I couldn’t run away from what’s happening and that has helped me to face up to matters inside myself, that I’d otherwise seek to solve by covering them up and explaining with excuses. Through my life I’ve many times experienced to be drenched of positive energy, when hoping that it could erase negative energy. By acknowledging and accepting that often the negative energy seems to take over, I have found that I have to put my trust in my eternal source of love, walk in the light of love and be me. It doesn’t mean that I’m not still being sometimes overwhelmed by negative emotions from others, but the big difference now is that I no longer accept to be drawn into those emotions and be told by others what I must or should do according to their beliefs, but remember my own positive approach and all the love, that has always been inside me. It’s been really hard for me to acknowledge and accept, not that love and light leads the way, but that you can’t always expect that others can see their own light, and that I have to walk in my own light to find my way.
Thank you so much for sharing these talks and the opportunity to translate inner feelings to words 🙏🏻
I love the processing of fear in the body and asking that question ‘What is needed most?’ The questions asked of the body’s emotions seems so important to make verbal what is going on in the nervous system. Fear creates shame in so many with anxiety. As an Emotionally Focused Therapist, this primary fear brought into the present moment gives us the opportunity to examine it rather than run from it.
This is so great! Thanks so much
One way(s) I face fear is:
By regularly exercising, as best I can, each day (reducing/balancing physical load of modern life).
Also practice allowing the feeling of fear, anxiety, dread in my body – being with it.
Also, watch and manage the content of what’s going on my head.
Also, practice detachment from (is it the fear of losing) things I am attached to.
Anticipating the worst-case scenario and thinking through potential responses helps prepare for the fearful situation, and then it’s usually not as nerve-wracking as expected.
I find thanking my fear for being there to try to protect me (as well as the many times it has protected me), helps me engage with what the fear is really about.
Hi! I face fear by focusing on “now” and becoming aware that I have no control of what may happen, and trusting that no matter what the inner me will be OK. I breath and hug myself, to remind me that I am here and I am ok. Thanks.
I find my Buddhist practice in meditating helps a lot. I meditate about a feeling, find it in my body, and work to accept it as okay to be there. Admittedly, it doesn’t work with one or two meditation sessions. It may take several and there are still many difficulties I continue to work on. It’s the practice that works for me.
Taghrid Alghadban, Another Field, Eugene, OR, USAsays
Hello, my name is Taghrid Alghadban, Iam originally from Syria, came to US 2014, I suffer from Bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, I take mood stabilizer and doing therapy for many years ago, and lately I am struggling with sever anxiety and panic attacks and depression, but Spending plenty of time sitting at the river bank close to where I live, watching how the waves flow freely, lightly with no fear or worries, doing that while listening to the running water sounds, listening to the birds, in short, being outdoors in nature, is helping me a lot, so my systems are slowly getting more tolerable. Also Breathing deeply while listening to Quran, and mindful walking while repeating the same sentences that I memorize from Quran, and listening to soft classical music.
I am sure this work shop will benefit me very much, and I promised my tired heart to practice every step I learn here.
Thanks so much Tara
Since many years whenever I visited States and DC region I would attend Tara’s Dharma talks. Since the lock down I didn’t travel and I missed listening to her so those short videos brought back good stuff I so appreciate.
Thank you Tara
I face fear with getting involved in what I am afraid of, like participating in Alzheimer research. Since I know it could be a possible outcome in my life I try to deal with it by being practical. Setting up a last will etc. I want to have control of the last years in my life. Preferringly to end my life at the time of my choice. So, I want to be transparent in my wishes towards my small family (I live alone). But of course I don’t want tube premature, how to know when the time is now? When you might get more and more forgetful about life in general?
What helps me face fear is knowing that a) it’s temporary (“no feeling is final” as Rilke said), and b) I’ve successfully faced fears before, and know I can do it, and even doing it poorly won’t end me.
presenting my own basic authentic self…upon a platform of sheer loving kindness and grace.
allowing each person the immediate space to unfold their own basic authentic self…at whatever place that begins from at that very moment
I really enjoyed the 3 episodes you shared. I love Tara Brach and am an avid follower of hers. Fear based thinking is a deeply engrained mental pattern and one that is very difficult to break out of. Thanks for sharing and leading the way
Sharing my fears with another person or in a group helps me to work out what lies underneath the fear. Listening to Tara Brach helps too ! Thank you foryour insight and wisdom.
When I was taking my Yoga Teacher Training, I learned this phrase that helps me when anxiety and fear take over: “In this moment, I am fine.” It brings me right back to the present and away from hyper focusing on a future I can’t control. I admit, my anxiety is over the top these days and I’m having a really hard time being mindful of the present. Meditation works as well and I need to do that more often. It’s just easier and more immediate to “eat” my fear with chocolate or “drink” my fear with a cocktail or glass of wine, both of which I know don’t address the underlying issue and actually exacerbate it. That’s why I’m taking this workshop – to hopefully break that unhealthy cycle of coping with fear and anxiety.
I am generally a loner but have no problem being with other people socially. It is almost a ridiculous situation but I understand how fear can stifle someone into avoiding the obvious. Not spending much time with others. I enjoy this four talks as they make me question some of my reactions to myself and how I relate to others.
After having studied psychology, attachment styles, and philosophy and having listened to Tara for some time I have come to understand certain things. It is all a big business. Whether it is personal development studies which I am passionate about, or whether it is Tara´s lovely inspiring speeches it is all a big business. They do provide moments of beauty and reflection in our lives but those are things that as Sydney Zarlengo says in her video about capitalism part 3 and disability, it should be things we learn from when we are very young kids as basic care and not have to pay the psychology or self-help industry so much money in order to get these tools, for our well-being. This crazy capitalism is taking so many lives whether it be by suicide or other ways and it has gone from market economy to market society according to Michael J Sandel and I agree with him.
Mindful walking, reminding myself to stay in the present moment and repeating kind words
Share my fear with close friend and the nature. The nature make me humbled over over the power in the life force, over time and over fears and problems. I soften.
What helps me with worrying about things not working (like technology especially) is to first admit that I’m nervous about changing something on my computer, for example…and I resist the change until I take time to be with it, and process my feelings, and calm myself; then, I try to gather info or facts about it, ask questions, like ‘If I do this, what will it look like? Will I notice the change? Will it change other
things on my computer and how they look or sound?’…and then if it seems ok, I’ll let my husband do one thing at a time on the computer, show me, and then I need to be with it for a week maybe with no glitches so I feel comfortable. Mostly, I find that asking questions and coming up with a plan over time based on an informed decision works best to calm my anxiety.
Note: this is very hard for my family to accept and deal with…but just telling me not to worry, or that I’m crazy etc. doesn’t help me…
Self compassion
Being reminded of past times where fear has been faced and endured. Learning to use inner and outer resources to meet fear with hope, love, awareness & compassion
Thank you for making it possible for us to join. I plan to use the resources here for my personal growth and for self treating my chronic anxiety condition.
This information is very helpful. It made me look at some of my personal stuff. I know others would benifit greatly from knowing and hearing this info. Fear is such a life energy stealer.
I am learning to accept fear as a guidepost that some part of me needs more attention, more healing.
Helpful
Awesome I recently dealt with Fear driven Anxiety Which I have never had before!!! Thank U So Much ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Is it possible to get a transcript of these videos? They are transforming.
You can do it yourself.
Download the audio/video by clicking the downward pointing arrow icon in the bottom right menu.
Then seach Google for “free audio to text transcription tool” and follow instructions on the one you choose.
Community
Knowing that everyone experiences fear— recognizing that I’m not alone.
excellent and powerful
Shining a light on it and allowing it to be there.
Thank you for this beautiful and mindful repose🌺
The 3 steps to break the worry addiction are excellent. yes will take time and practice but I could feel my body relax with one practice.
Thank you so much.
I try to face fear by talking about it with my closest friends and getting their reassurance and support. I also ask myself, ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ In most cases this helps me realize my worst fears are unwarranted and that I will be able to move beyond them. Thanks for the very helpful video.
I try and remember
You are not the emotions circumstances evoke.
When I remember, this helps me step back from the emotion that is presenting and peel the layers of it to find the root fear . Then can either recognise it has no real basis or act to mitigate it rather than spend time being distracted by what my self defence is emoting.
Regular meditation, mindfulness and practice breathwork all help to support me. Reminding myself and honoring my own achievements.
However, a singular key choice for me that I made in 1996 was to take the time and give the energy to befriend and get to know better my Inner Child. The aim is to give him an empowered voice in my life now. To use Tara’s analogy about the ocean.
My Inner Child is like the moon that influences the tides. It is the my own tides I am sailing on or swimming in and being water logged by. So gaining some acknowledgement, acceptance and understanding of that influence is of huge benefit. Two of the gifts of this friendship have been access to my Inner Childs Imagination and Curiosity.
I Offer an example of a fictional conversation using ideas of Louise Hey between me now
LH: A worry is only a thought and a thought can be changed.
PM But its not a thought its a feeling.
LH Oh that just a thought racing round the body.
Enter my inner child
PM (Inner Child) Really does it go really fast, What color is it has it got legs or is it like a wiggly worm.
I would not have consciously thought that 10 years ago.
This is not written to minimize or trivialize anyone’s fears which are unique to them as is the empowerment needed to manage them.
It is simply to acknowledge that my Inner Child can me laugh in the now and that is fun, healing and empowering and helps me face my fears better.
Beautiful! Humor and lightness can be so freeing.
This is so true. Fear is the root cause of everything. I think positive self image and unconditional positive regard for ourselves can help us face our fears.
acknowledging fear, recognising where it sits in the body, describing the sensations of fear, watching fear dissipate as the acceptance of its presence in my system/client’s system allows it’s power to fade. Identifying painful experiences and tensions loosens their physiological and psychological grip on body and mind. Being afraid of fear exacerbates fear. Kindly allowing feelings considered ‘bad’ or scarey calms the system and releases tension
What has sometimes helped me is the question: “Is it happening now?”
Breathing and looking around and not loosing connection.Also realising this is only momentary and will pass.
Someone told me some time ago, that this time I couldn’t run away from what’s happening and that has helped me to face up to matters inside myself, that I’d otherwise seek to solve by covering them up and explaining with excuses. Through my life I’ve many times experienced to be drenched of positive energy, when hoping that it could erase negative energy. By acknowledging and accepting that often the negative energy seems to take over, I have found that I have to put my trust in my eternal source of love, walk in the light of love and be me. It doesn’t mean that I’m not still being sometimes overwhelmed by negative emotions from others, but the big difference now is that I no longer accept to be drawn into those emotions and be told by others what I must or should do according to their beliefs, but remember my own positive approach and all the love, that has always been inside me. It’s been really hard for me to acknowledge and accept, not that love and light leads the way, but that you can’t always expect that others can see their own light, and that I have to walk in my own light to find my way.
Thank you so much for sharing these talks and the opportunity to translate inner feelings to words 🙏🏻
Enjoy listening to learning to learn how to embrace your fear.
I love the processing of fear in the body and asking that question ‘What is needed most?’ The questions asked of the body’s emotions seems so important to make verbal what is going on in the nervous system. Fear creates shame in so many with anxiety. As an Emotionally Focused Therapist, this primary fear brought into the present moment gives us the opportunity to examine it rather than run from it.
This is great, being okay with ok. Acknowledgment of the presence of fear without entertaining its impact, has been helpful.
Thanks 👍🏾
This is so great! Thanks so much
One way(s) I face fear is:
By regularly exercising, as best I can, each day (reducing/balancing physical load of modern life).
Also practice allowing the feeling of fear, anxiety, dread in my body – being with it.
Also, watch and manage the content of what’s going on my head.
Also, practice detachment from (is it the fear of losing) things I am attached to.
Anticipating the worst-case scenario and thinking through potential responses helps prepare for the fearful situation, and then it’s usually not as nerve-wracking as expected.
So helpful, so powerful – I listen to this often and cherish having it as a tool in my pocket.
I find thanking my fear for being there to try to protect me (as well as the many times it has protected me), helps me engage with what the fear is really about.
Hi! I face fear by focusing on “now” and becoming aware that I have no control of what may happen, and trusting that no matter what the inner me will be OK. I breath and hug myself, to remind me that I am here and I am ok. Thanks.
I find my Buddhist practice in meditating helps a lot. I meditate about a feeling, find it in my body, and work to accept it as okay to be there. Admittedly, it doesn’t work with one or two meditation sessions. It may take several and there are still many difficulties I continue to work on. It’s the practice that works for me.
I face fear with reminders that I have successfully managed this before. Stay focused, slow down and be in the present.
Looking forward to the next talk for suggestions from Tara.
Hello, my name is Taghrid Alghadban, Iam originally from Syria, came to US 2014, I suffer from Bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, I take mood stabilizer and doing therapy for many years ago, and lately I am struggling with sever anxiety and panic attacks and depression, but Spending plenty of time sitting at the river bank close to where I live, watching how the waves flow freely, lightly with no fear or worries, doing that while listening to the running water sounds, listening to the birds, in short, being outdoors in nature, is helping me a lot, so my systems are slowly getting more tolerable. Also Breathing deeply while listening to Quran, and mindful walking while repeating the same sentences that I memorize from Quran, and listening to soft classical music.
I am sure this work shop will benefit me very much, and I promised my tired heart to practice every step I learn here.
Thanks so much Tara
By re-assuring my inner child and becoming grounded
Since many years whenever I visited States and DC region I would attend Tara’s Dharma talks. Since the lock down I didn’t travel and I missed listening to her so those short videos brought back good stuff I so appreciate.
Thank you Tara
I face fear with getting involved in what I am afraid of, like participating in Alzheimer research. Since I know it could be a possible outcome in my life I try to deal with it by being practical. Setting up a last will etc. I want to have control of the last years in my life. Preferringly to end my life at the time of my choice. So, I want to be transparent in my wishes towards my small family (I live alone). But of course I don’t want tube premature, how to know when the time is now? When you might get more and more forgetful about life in general?
bro you good? This is legit a weird thought dump and why?
A gutsy breath and a compassionate mantra to help step forward towards my truth…no matter what. Not easy!! ” I am enough”
What helps me face fear is knowing that a) it’s temporary (“no feeling is final” as Rilke said), and b) I’ve successfully faced fears before, and know I can do it, and even doing it poorly won’t end me.
Thank you Tara from Diane Lutz in Massachusetts
presenting my own basic authentic self…upon a platform of sheer loving kindness and grace.
allowing each person the immediate space to unfold their own basic authentic self…at whatever place that begins from at that very moment
This process depicted in Ep 2 of “Lucky Hank!”
I really enjoyed the 3 episodes you shared. I love Tara Brach and am an avid follower of hers. Fear based thinking is a deeply engrained mental pattern and one that is very difficult to break out of. Thanks for sharing and leading the way
Sharing my fears with another person or in a group helps me to work out what lies underneath the fear. Listening to Tara Brach helps too ! Thank you foryour insight and wisdom.