Brother Richard

in the surrendering of past experiences that caused fear or stress.

Learning from them, but letting the power of their fear dissolve in response to the phrase, be not afraid.

Be not afraid.

Be not afraid.

Gently then allowing the word itself to settle into silence and stillness.

Resting in the breath.

Resting in the peace of the present moment.

And with the breath, allowing oneself to come into the fullness of peace that exists at the very heart of the cycle of breath.

And drawing even into that place of stillness

The invitation.

Be not afraid.

Be not afraid.

Be not afraid.

Allowing the words to fade again.

beginning to hold the intention to walk without fear, to recognize that fundamentally at the very center of your being, through the essence of your nature, there is nothing to be afraid of.

And even though fear is necessary as part of our survival process, is necessary as a condition to be able to protect ourselves, we can see it as a useful tool rather than a force of domination.

We can receive it in its usefulness

And we can let it go when it is not useful any longer.

And we can hear the divine invitation beneath all things, all changing circumstances, to be not afraid.

Gently then beginning to move our fingers and our toes,