Facing fear with mindfulness is a skillful way of dealing with fear. One of the things that keeps us from living mindfully and well is fear. Sometimes it’s more comfortable to sit still in uncertainty. Perhaps we have fear related to our health and wellbeing, fear of dying, fear of flying, fear of feeling, fear of the unknown.
Perhaps we may even experience fear of success. If we have been unwell, perhaps we fear being well again, because this brings it’s own kind of uncertainty and expectations. Fear arises that may include fear of responsibility, fear of the unknown, fear of not being able to live up to our own or others’ expectations.
How can we practice facing fear with mindfulness? Assuming the fear is not signaling that we are in real danger, we approach the fear with awareness, and we practice meeting it with kindness and curiosity. We take small steps toward what we want, as we breathe into the fear. We keep breathing, and we walk through the fear. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
If we take steps toward living mindfully and well, and we actually increase our sense of well-being, then we lose our excuse for not taking action toward living our full potential. Try to remember that change is a gradual process, and well-being is an ever evolving state of being. Take it one step at a time. Trust that as you deepen your mindfulness practice, you will grow your capacity to continue to take action in your life as you more skillfully relate with fear. Practice believing in your capacity to change and succeed. What small step can you take today in the interest of your own well-being?
Jen Johnson is a mindfulness teacher, coach and counselor teaching meditation for healing, creativity, and resilience.