What do people fear the most?  The Book of Lists reports the top ten human fears as

1. Speaking before a group
2. Heights
3. Insects and bugs
4. Financial problems
5. Deep water
6. Sickness
7. Death
8. Flying
9. Loneliness
10. Dogs

Shakespeare’s Hamlet wondered why people keep living and suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.  He concluded that the prospect of what happens after death terrifies people to such an extent that they put up with the troubles of life.

Step 51 of Steps to Knowledge, “Let me recognize my fears so that I see the truth beyond them,” is the first step where the word fear is contained in the step itself.  The word “fear” is mentioned in passing in earlier steps, and I plan to describe those passing mentions in another post.

There are many ideas in our culture regarding fear, what it is (or isn’t), where it comes from, how it works, and what to do about it.  Let’s just say that some of these ideas are more helpful than others.  Just as Step 26, “My errors give birth to my Knowledge,” addressed a number of ideas in our culture regarding error, Step 51 addresses a number of ideas in our culture regarding fear.  I’m feeling an inclination to unpack this in a series of posts.

Welcome to Mystery of Ascension! We are students and advocates of the the New Message from God. We are members of a worldwide community. We seek to assist the world in successfully navigating difficult times ahead. We seek to assist the world in successfully emerging into a greater community of intelligent life. You will also find some poetry. Find out more about us here. Contact us here.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. (Ephesians 2:1-3, New International Version)

What happens when people spend too much time and energy scratching the itches of the animal soul, the itches for survival, pleasure, power, and avoidance of responsibility?  Among other things, we become less magnanimous, we become less aware and expressive of our total inclusion in life.

Step 11 of Steps to Knowledge, “I am not apart from life,” is an affirmation rather than a description of a current condition, as the step says…

“What is mysterious is your mind. It seems to be a distinct point of understanding, but it is as much a part of life as your physical fabric.You are an individual unaware of your Source and your total inclusion in life.Your individuality is a burden now, but it will be a great happiness to you when it can express life itself.”

At this point, I recall the words of the apostle Paul, where he says he makes his body his slave, so that he might be of service to others.  I recall the words of Paul when he talks about taking every thought captive.  I recall the chapter in A Course in Miracles about how the body is a means of communication.

Welcome to Mystery of Ascension! We are students and advocates of the the New Message from God. We are members of a worldwide community. We seek to assist the world in successfully navigating difficult times ahead. We seek to assist the world in successfully emerging into a greater community of intelligent life. You will also find some poetry. Find out more about us here. Contact us here.