This month's Touchstone Theme is "courage." The Buddhist teacher, Pema Chodron writes about courage as the capacity to "smile at fear" saying,

 

 

 

 

There have been many times in my life when my first response to someone who is angry with me, or in the face of something that frighten me that I am aware of my own reflexive desire to flee the situation.  It has taken practice and awareness of that which I fear most to engage the discipline of facing that which I fear and in many cases, learning to take a step closer to those involved in such situations.  Fear, is an important human response to that which appears to be dangerous.  And fearful moments can have deep meaning as opportunities for awareness and learning, challenging each us to move beyond our own self-imposed physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual limitations.

 

Pema Chodron's admonition that we "smile at fear" is an invitation to embody courage at the very moment when we feel least courageous.  To smile in the face of fear is to embody an ethic of curiosity instead of confrontation (which is often fear-based).  It is to embody a spiritual power deeper than the powerlessness which so often accompanies the desire to escape such moments.

 

A few years ago while watching one of my son's baseball games standing behind the fence between the field and the dugout an foul ball spun off hitting the fence in front of my face.  The player at first base was amazed.  "You didn't even blink." I remember thinking in the moment before the ball flew my way, "What a pitch!" I was more amazed at the action then frightened by the ball. I was, after all behind a fence.  Now I think in moments when life's balls come curving my way, "What a pitch!" and "I am safe."  This openness allows me to question and ponder; to appreciate other's experiences instead of constantly feeling like I need to protect myself.  I'm still very much a work in progress, and this practice is often a challenge.  The rewards of deepening relationships, understanding and appreciation are worth the all the practice.   

Blessings,