We began talking about fear yesterday, and I think it's good to note
that the word "fear" doesn't always have to have a negative connotation.
The way it's used in Tibetan ... remember yesterday I was saying
it's the word "jigpa". It can often have a positive connotation.
For example, when we talk about the possibility of being
born in the lower realms, and that being a reason for taking refuge,
then they use the word "jigpa", which you could translate as
the fear of being born in the lower realms.
Of course, we associate the word fear with being panicked, with being freaked out,
and so then if we hear "being afraid of being born in the lower realms"
we go back to being six years old in Sunday school and
being threatened with going to hell if we steal an M&M.
That's not the meaning in Buddhism, okay?
And I bring this up because so often we take
Christian words or Christian concepts and bring them onto Buddhism
when Buddhism is speaking about something similar, but not exactly the same.
This is one of those cases. Because in Buddhism, when you are aware
of the danger of being born in the lower realms, that makes you much more cautious
about your behavior, much more mindful, much more attentive.
And it results in the mind becoming more focused and tranquil.
Because it wants to do something virtuous, okay?
So, whereas the word "fear", if it's taken to mean "panic",
like "Ahhhhhh, I'm going to be born as a cat!" and
"I'm freaked out about that and I don't want that to happen
so I'm going to squeeze and pressure myself to practice the Dharma".
And that doesn't work and that's not what the Buddha is trying to get us to do.
So, we have to be very clear about that.
Let's use another example:
if you are merging on the freeway, do you have a sense of
the danger that is there if you aren't paying attention?
I hope so! Otherwise, I don't want to ride in the car with you!
If you have no awareness that merging onto the freeway has some danger,
excuse me, I'm not going to ride with you.
So, that kind of awareness of danger is something good, isn't it?
Now ... if we use the English meaning of the word "fear",
are you afraid of merging on the freeway? No.
Some people may be ... when you are sixteen and you have your parent's car ...
Well, then either you are afraid or you don't see any danger at all.
The two extremes.
But most people, as mature adults, you wouldn't be freaked out
with fear merging onto the highway, but
you would be aware that there is some danger.
In the same way, the word "fear" in Buddhism,
if it's translated literally, maybe should be translated as
"awareness of danger", instead of as "fear".
So, it doesn't bring the English connotation.
But, that is the meaning that
we are aware of the potential to experience suffering.
And being aware of that potential
then we want to avoid the causes,
creating the causes for it
and we want to purify any causes we've already created.
And that kind of awareness of danger, or if you want to call it "fear" you can,
is something useful and beneficial.
But it's completely different than
the freaked out, panicky, uncomfortable fear.
Which is of absolutely no benefit on the path.
So, I say this that we maybe can open our mind
a little bit about what fear means in different contexts,
If we choose to use that word.
Or about possible other translations of it
like "awareness of danger".
And then we'll continue on tomorrow with some of the freaked out ways of fear.