Rising Above Fear

I used to be terrified of spiders. One day a Wolf Spider appeared in my bathroom. Because it was so big, I could see it lift its leg as I came near, see that it was afraid (as big as it was). I could see its life, that it meant me no harm. It just wanted to live.

Wolf Spider

I found a way with a glass and a paper to take it to the door. At that moment, it got free and I screamed and the spider screamed (I heard it with my spiritual hearing) — anyway, it ran outside, and I ran into another room.

The fear was still in my body, but I recognized it as being only a physical reaction, which I did not have to identify with. My body was shaking and it took a while for the fear feelings to pass, but those feelings were not my true self.

To live an entire life with hatred towards anything, with fear of a spider, with the idea that their lives are mine to take because of hatred or fear — is to live a life unexamined. 

Life takes on new meaning when we begin to rise above our fears and hatreds. 

I still don't like to see spiders, but do my best to set them free outside. 

"The unexamined life is not worth living" —Socrates