Dune by Frank Herbert is one of my favorite books. I’ve read this book several times and enjoy much of the story, the characters and the philosophical teaching within Frank Herbert’s style of writing.
“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.”
I was drawn to how Frank Herbert displays such human frailty and conviction in his Dune characters. How he shows the true person and how we are in combat with an entity we call fear.
I hold steadfast to this very thought – “fear is what stops us from being who we are because we are afraid to face it.”
As we turn to face the fear we often find ourselves staring back. If you think about it – what is fear? Where does it come from? Why does it hold such power over us?
I think Frank Herbert answers that for us in Dune. The fear is there but once we face it and let it pass, it is only you that remains. The fear is gone but you are constant. Fear fluctuates, you are fixed, fear is devastating but only if we allow it. Fear can only last as long as we allow it. We are the fixed point, not fear. Fear moves with us but only if we run from it. If we face it, the fear has no other direction but to move on without us.
Think of it, fear moves, you move, the two move together, you turn and stand in the wake of fear as it passes you. You remain, the fear is gone. It is truly an understatement to have this revelation in your life. If you truly know this, then what is stopping you?
It is you. If you choose to run from fear it will chase you until the end of your time on earth. It is you who allows it. You have the power to face fear so decide. What is your preference? Stand and face fear or run? What do you have to loose?
Image Credit: Corona of the Sun during a Solar Eclipse by Smithsonian Institution
Copyright ©2014 DW Rigsby All Rights Reserved.