The Faithful Companion of the Constructed Self
Fear is a faithful companion of the constructed self. While the monkey mind clings to imagined futures, perceived threats, and the fragile sense of self we spend so much energy protecting. And when fear is left unchecked—when it loops through our inner dialogue, unresolved and unnamed—it quietly germinates into anxiety.
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But Buddhism, as many of you know, doesn’t offer us a feel-good bypass. It doesn’t pat the self-constructed I on the back and reassure it that everything will be fine. Instead, it turns the gaze inward and asks: What is this experience made of? What is its cause? And what happens if we meet it without resistance?
From this perspective, fear is not an enemy to be conquered. It is a phenomenon to be studied with tenderness and interest.
Every Emotion Has a Root
Every emotion, including fear, arises due to a preceding thought. That thought, in turn, comes from a perception—an impression received by the senses and filtered through our habitual patterns. And those patterns? They are deeply rooted in ignorance: the fundamental misunderstanding of who and what we are.
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Anxiety isn’t mysterious from this view. It is the ripple effect of unexamined fear—a wave that keeps returning because we never noticed the stone dropped into the water. And still, we are not asked to fight our emotions. Rather, we are invited to see clearly.
The Gesture of Courage
To trace the arising of fear, to recognize it in real-time, and to allow it space to unfold without pushing it away or identifying with it, is a profound act of love. It is a gesture of courage. Because facing fear without trying to fix it or feed it requires a deep trust in the nature of mind itself.
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We are not our fears. Nor are we the thoughts that give rise to them. But the more lovingly we can stay with these movements—without needing to dress them up or send them away—the more naturally they lose their grip.
The Medicine of Clarity
This is not spiritual sedation. This is not comfort for the created self. It’s the medicine of clarity.
In the warmth of awareness, even fear softens.
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Disclaimer
The information shared here is intended to support personal growth and insight. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care, psychiatric treatment, or medical advice. If you are experiencing psychological distress, mental illness, or crisis, please seek support from a qualified healthcare provider.
With kindness,
Lama Chimey
Lama Chimey 