A Buddhist and a Christian Perspective
Recently I received an interesting gift from an old friend Johanna Berrigan, “FEAR” by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist. At the time I received this gift I was also reading James Martin SJ’s book “Jesus, A Pilgrimage.” I have great respect for both these men and would like to share a few of their perspectives on Fear.
Thich Nhat Hanh is a gifted Buddhist writer, who many years past wrote “The Raft Is Not the Shore” in conversation with Dan Berrigan SJ. I think “FEAR” is a treasure in understanding a plague that has afflicted all of us in many stages of our lives. The early experience and teaching of Christianity we received with a focus on the God of Love or the danger of sin can be lasting impressions, perhaps some fear.
To offer wise insights on Fear I will quote Thich Nhat Hanh verbatim, rather than offer a book review. I think it offers clarity on Buddhist thought re FEAR which I absorbed with joy and appreciation.
“The teaching of the Buddha relieves us of suffering. The basis of suffering is ignorance about the true nature of self and of the world around you. When you don’t understand, you are afraid, and your fear brings much suffering. That is why the offering of nonfear is the best kind of gift you can give, to yourself and to anyone else. P.68
… This important practice, the practice of nonfear, involves looking deeply to relieve the deep fear that is always there. If you have nonfear, your life will be happier and more beautiful, and you will be able to help many other people … The energy of nonfear is the key and the best basis for social action, for actions of compassion that protect people, protect the earth, and satisfy your needs to love and to serve. P.69
… Breathing in and Breathing out … When you practice being aware of your breathing, you generate the energy of mindfulness ... That energy of mindfulness is the Buddha, because a Buddha is made of mindfulness ... If you come from a Christian background, you may compare it to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can be described as the energy of God. With the practice of mindful walking and mindful breathing, you generate this powerful energy. You take refuge in that energy of mindfulness. It is a kind of light that shines forth and shows you clearly where you are and what is the next step you want to take ….
There may be tension in your body, and there may be strong emotions in you, like fear and despair. The energy of mindfulness is embracing, calming, and releasing the tension and suffering. P.72
… Mindfulness is a kind of energy that can help bring our minds back to our bodies so that we can be established well in the here and now, so that we can get deeply in touch with life and its many wonders and truly live our lives. Mindfulness allows us to be aware of what is going on in the present moment – in our bodies, in our feelings, in our perceptions in the world.
We know that morning is beautiful – the hills, the mist, the sunrise. We want to get in touch with that beauty and allow it into our hearts. We know this is very nourishing. But sometimes an emotion or feeling comes up that prevents us from enjoying what’s happening in the here and now. P.74
… Mindfulness carries within it the energy of concentration, so the seed of concentration is also in you. There are practices of concentration that can liberate us from fear, anger, and despair. Generating the energies of mindfulness and concentration in your daily life, you learn to transform your fear and anger and let go of suffering. And then along with mindfulness and concentration comes insight. Insight is wisdom, understanding. The seed of wisdom, of perfect understanding is in each of us. Awareness is mindfulness, concentration, and insight.
When I see you walking in mindfulness, with solidity, with happiness, I see the holiness in you.” P.78
The following insights are from James Martin SJ’s book “Jesus, A Pilgrimage.” Martin’s first reference to fear is the experience of the disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee in the midst of a horrendous storm with Jesus sleeping in the back of the boat. Jesus “rebukes the wind and says to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still.’ … At once there is a ‘great’ calm. … Jesus says to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still have no faith?’ Their terror is not surprising ... Fear of the storm has morphed into fear of God, the awe accompanying a display of divine power … ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ … the disciples sitting in stupefied silence … Aboard the ship the disciples express the human tendency to fear.” P.231- 2
Martin goes on to express fear in the spiritual life “When it comes to God’s activity, fear is, paradoxically, dangerous, because it turns us away from God. Rather than focusing on what God can do, we are tempted to focus on what it seems God cannot do. …” Jesus warns against fear in the spiritual life. “At the beginning of his earthly life, the angel announcing his conception says to his mother, ‘Do not be afraid.’ … The angel announcing his resurrection to the women at the tomb says, ‘Do not be afraid.’ … Appearing to all the disciples after the Resurrection, Jesus’ first words, ‘Peace be to you!’
… God’s presence should not prompt fear, for God always comes in love. Second, don’t fear the new. God’s entrance into your life may mean something will change, but unanticipated doesn’t necessarily mean frightening … You may not understand fully what God is asking, but this is no cause to be frightened. …P.233
Easy to say but fear can counteract a strong virtue of trust in God, bedrock of our lives.
Joe is a member of CPF
Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm, Thich Nhat Hanh, November 13, 2012, Harper Collins
Jesus: A Pilgrimage, James Martin SJ, March 14 2014, HarperOne
Buddhism and Christianity brings Dom Roberti to mind Deo Gratias for his life – he was/is a blessing!
