Fear of Falling

At it's root, all fear is fear of dying. According to a New York Times survey asking "What is your greatest fear?", number one was speaking in public and number three was dying. Yet exactly the place in you or me that is afraid of speaking in public, the place where I am identified with only my separateness, is the place that is afraid to die. So whenever we consciously work with our fear, be clearly aware of it, have compassion for she or he how is afraid, in that moment we are preparing for our death, preparing to die well.

Here is a link to a video that will allow you to practice being with your fear of falling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmDhRvvs5Xw

http://www.livingdying.org/

Sometimes the desire to be lost again, as long ago, comes over me like a vapor. With growth into adulthood, responsibilities claimed me, so many heavy coats. I didn't choose them. I don't fault them, but it took time to reject them.

Now in the spring I kneel, I put my face into the packets of violets, the dampness, the freshness, the sense of ever-ness.

Something is wrong, I know it, if I don't keep my attention on eternity. May I be the tiniest nail in the house of the universe, tiny but useful.

May I stay forever in the stream. - Mary Oliver

http://www.livingdying.org/