Fear is the mind-killer

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

Dune, 12.

Much has been written about fear. All of it more eloquent than I can be. I wonder though how little happens—in each of our lives, in the world at large—because of fear.

Am I afraid of what she’ll say if I tell her I like her?

Am I afraid of what he’ll say if I express concern about his drinking?

Am I afraid of losing something that isn’t actually mine?

Am I afraid of an outcome that isn’t certain?

Am I afraid of doing the work for the outcome I desire?

Am I afraid doing the work won’t result in the outcome I desire?

Am I afraid of pain?

Am I afraid of the natural consequence of the act?

I wrote an essay as a ninth grader entitled “Fear is irrational.” I argued horribly and has many bad logical jumps, but I don’t disagree with the premise or the conclusion.

Fear is irrational. And often we are afraid (for the few of us who are rational beings) when irrational things enter our heads. They are so foreign we don’t know how to deal with them.

Perhaps hokey, (which may cause the rational you to never consider it further) but the Litany against Fear from Dune provides a solid rational explanation how to deal with fear. It clearly explains what fear is, what it does, and how to conquer it.

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.

Strong words. But true.

Set your mindset: know fear for what it is. A sniveling, but ultimately nuclearly destructive force on your mind. It builds slowly, until you ultimately implode with its impact. “Total obliteration” is no joke, nor is it hyperbole. In another context, had fear been prioritized the result would be “utter waste.”

I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see it’s path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.