Transforming Fearlessness into Right Action in Burma

Dear Friends,

As I witness the events this past few weeks in Burma, I am reminded that courage comes from a deep connection to our spiritual core--the true Self. Thousands of Buddhist monks have risked their lives and many have died, in service of the Truth.

With an increasingly harsh and repressive military dictatorship, the monks defied the threats of violence and retaliation and in droves have taken to the streets in non-violent protests. They have gradually been joined by thousands of fearless citizens who were inspired by the monk's courage.

In my new book, that is released in two days, FEARPROOF YOUR LIFE, How to Thrive in a World Addicted to Fear, I talk about "Right Action". Some think that becoming fearless and peaceful means becoming passive, but as the monks and people of Burma have demonstrated by their courage, this is not the case. This is a quote from chapter 9, "Transforming Fearlessness into Right Action" that points to what they are demonstrating:

As we look at the larger issues of the world the same choice is before each of us: the path of fear or the path of courage to change. Will we transform our world from one of fear to one of empowerment, peace and courage? Will we let the forces of the ego cripple us in the face of the challenges we face today or will we be our fullest true Selves and transform the imbalances, injustices, and dangers that confront us into opportunities to express ourselves fully, honestly and totally and thus improve our world?

One of my favorite quotes about this is by Nelson Mandela (who is actually quoting Marianne Williamson).
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Nelson Mandela’s life is certainly a poignant example of his own quote. As he sat in a South African prison he had a vision to stop Apartheid in his country, not by violence, but by taking back their power and forgiving his oppressors. Through his conviction, vision and courage he transformed an entrenched system of oppression by just being true to his Self and inspiring a whole nation and eventually the world to support his efforts.


Throughout history, when enough people choose the path of truth and love over fear, nations and communities change. This occurred in the collapse of the Berlin Wall when thousands of Germans took to the streets, moved by inspiration to change. In our own countries' revolutionary war, ordinary men and women stood up to the tyrannical rule of the British and against all odds overthrew the world's largest empire and gained our freedom that we still cherish to this day.

As we discover the peace and calm of living as our true Selves in the world, our compassion, inspiration and courage are quickened by the witnessing of injustice and the forces of ego. Being our Selves makes doing courageous actions "right".

Live Fearless, Life from Love,

Joe

Fearless Fly Fishing

Dear Readers,

This past week I spent fly fishing on the Williamson River in Oregon with my colleague and friend Dr. George Patterson and our Fly Fishing for the Mind group. George and I did a retreat combining fly fishing, the beauty of nature and discovering how to live a fearless life. The setting was the Klamath Basin, home to some of the largest rainbow trout in the world and in the high desert of the Oregon near Crater Lake National Park.

The crisp fall air welcomed us each day as we woke up to Qi Gong exercises, a hearty breakfast and a morning seminar on living fearlessly. We then ventured out to the river with our trusty guides to float the river, take in the fall beauty and perhaps catch a trophy rainbow trout. After a day of fishing we sat around the fire or watched the sun set over the river and shared our reflections and discoveries about ourselves from the day.

This retreat focused on the topic of my new book, Fearproof Your Life. Many transformations occured with the participants as we looked within to discover the secrets of living fearlessly. One participant reminded me of the power of willingness and an open mind to transform our lives. She came to the retreat with more fear than the others--of flying in a small plane, of leaving her sick cat, of meeting strangers far from home to do something she wasn't that accomplished at. But her fear didn't prevent her from coming, because her desire to be free of fear outweighed her habits that have kept her trapped in a world of fear.

Willingness opens the door to our hearts and minds, to discover the beauty of life that is revealed when we drop the veil of fearful thoughts that obstruct our view of a majestic world and the love of others. She became present to the moment when her fears subsided and she experienced her true Self. The first step in moving from a life of fear to one of peace is willingness. It only takes a small amount to make that first step, but the rewards for doing so are immeasurable.

Perhaps you will join us on our next fly fishing for the mind adventure to Patagonia, Chile next February.

Live Fearlessly,

Joe

Avoiding the Fall Frenzy

Dear Readers,

This past week was a very intense time for me, as it is for so many of us at this time of the year--getting kids back to school, adjusting to new schedules, and cramming in the last fling of summer activities before we begin our jobs in earnest. It seems like we're all busier than usual at this time of the year.

As I shifted gears this week from summer to fall mode, I found myself back in the frenzied lane feeling, at times, overwhelmed, out of balance and worried if I could "get it all done." For a while I lost consciousness of who I am--my true Self; that place in each of that knows no time, has no fear, and is filled with purpose, energy and creative thoughts and actions. I forgot for a while and then I remembered--to look within, to reflect and quiet my mind. In that stillness I remembered who I am and I was at peace again.

Suddenly I had clear, focused energy to do all the details, activities and jobs to be done. I became productive without being frenetic. I felt grateful for my life and all the people in it. As I approached my publicity tour for my new book I felt up to the task and excited about it, rather than overwhelmed.

Then Thursday "it" arrived. My new book, "Fearproof Your Life," was waiting on the doorstep when I ran home between meetings to pick something up I had forgotten in my rushed state of mind. As I opened the package, I felt like a three year old on Christmas morning opening their first present. Four years of reflecting, writing, editing, re-editing, scores of people helping in the process of publishing a book and now it is here.

I am grateful and proud of my new book. I am grateful to know what I know and to be able to return home to my Self as I did this week when I got overwhelmed. I am also so happy to be able to share this with all of you.

I am the luckiest man in the world!

May your Fall be a productive and peace-filled time in your life.

Joe Bailey