Insights: From Fear to Certainty
How often in your life have you decided not to take action because things ‘just didn’t feel right’’? This feeling is one way we justify our decisions. But, how certain are you the decision was made with confidence and clarity? Chances are the feeling and decision were made out of fear and uncertainty. Our saboteur mind will justify it was the ‘right’ decision, because we had that feeling. Learning to understand that feeling takes discipline and practice, because when we stop and observe ourselves, it is fear we are feeling and fear stops us from growing. The mind and emotions try to control how we make decisions and this is experienced when we have made a decision and still feel uncertainty or doubt, wondering if we made the wrong decision. It can be an exhausting journey living in the mind, rather than observing the mind as spirit first.
As an example, my meditation students have shared they experience uncertainty and doubt, particularly before and after signing up for the level V series which requires a one year commitment. Despite the agenda and reassurances provided, this is a natural response to uncertainty and fear, and an important part of the conscious journey. Some students feel doubt and uncertainty when registering for level I, a seven week series, an example of the same feelings. Through this we see the common denominator is fear, and with every step we take towards confronting fear we transcend it to experience enthusiasm, joy and our potentiality. If we were to describe ourselves as a rose, we would see ourselves beginning to blossom, perhaps wavering with uncertainty in our vulnerability, supported by a strong stem of truth.
When we decide to take action that involves change, it is not uncommon to feel doubt or uncertainty. This is a natural response to the known. Yes, the known, because fear is based on past experiences and our mind convinces us we ‘know’ what to expect. While this is helpful in certain circumstances such as not touching something hot because we know it will burn, the same fear settles into other areas of our life. When we step outside our comfort box we experience uncertainty, anxiety, fear and a torrent of justifying thoughts, as well as enthusiasm and excitement. We repeatedly create opportunities to transcend and heal these dynamics.
Fear stops us from trying something new, from expanding and growing if we choose to stay still. If we confront and push through the fear we experience the heaviness lifting, but we may then experience doubt and uncertainty. This is the time to observe our emotions and mind, without letting ourselves be owned by them. Fear, doubt and uncertainty are learned from past experiences. Our mind retains the memories, and if we cannot experience ourselves as a peaceful spirit having a human experience, then we have lost ourselves, or a part of ourselves,to the ego experience (mind, emotions, body).
The actions we take today create our future. Our mind and emotions may appear to be what generates our decisions, but spirit is the driving force behind these, constantly nurturing peace. Karma is action, cause and effect. Whatever we do or don’t do, and that includes thinking and feeling, creates an effect. When we pay attention to these energies and make changes, we become consciously aware of the cause and effect of our choices. We are engaged in the changes that happen within ourselves and how they affect those around us. They are not right or wrong changes. They are changes that provide us with an opportunity to experience our mind, emotions, and body as spirit first, to learn and heal.
We need to feel, think, decide and act, trusting there is always space in our life for change.
We need to trust ourselves to act clearly and respectfully, while accepting ease and change in life.
Regina Kaiser
