2007-06-29 16:37:21 · 6 answers · asked by Valerie C 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Many have answered and continue to answer this very good question by praying and then "hoping" for a good outcome..
I as a Buddhist prefer a much more direct approach to fears and hopes and dreams...
/Shrugs/
When I consider a plan of action, I release "self". I approach a "problem" head on, perceiving reality from a perspective of "what I am seeing" is the reality I must deal with, this reality is then the perception from which I base my choices.
Perceiving reality from this perspective ...this Right View ...to Buddhists is very important. It negates any false impressions and false perceptions which may creep into the equation from the "self", negating any selfish "wishes" as it were from the decisions which are necessary.
I never hope for an outcome, I calculate it from my available choices allowing for a margin of error from any unforseen circumstance or event, this way allows me to fall short of perfection and gives me some comfort knowing that the end will eventually arrive given present errors in judgement and lack of full facts.
To take full advantage of these skills, it is necessary to release the "self" for this releases any perceptions which are in the consciousness. I caution though that this release of the "self" is never easy, the choice to do so often conflicts with common thought and ideas. It is often easier to "go with the flow" because "it has always been done that way", this is often why we "need to hope for" rather than make purposeful effort to achieve an outcome free from fear of failure or fear from ridicule.
My own father has often ridiculed me for the choices I have made, he now sees his error. His ridicule was based on his perceptions that my calculated choices were of a short term nature, rather than the over 20 year span of my calculated plans. I am where I am because of those choices made so long ago, yet he still wonders how it was done. He wonders because he does not understand my Buddhist View, I do not wonder. I calculate, I perceive, I then do...why hope..?
Anyone can also do...all it takes is choice, but I caution...it takes wise choice and the release of "self".
To complete the story...I planned these things, not for myself, but for my family. I now live and work in Saudi Arabia, yet they are finally living in the country where they belong, their own country, Thailand. They are very happy, this was my intent when I planned. I am away from them and will eventually live there with them.../shrugs again/.....the plan was never perfect....but their happiness makes it very worth the effort...
Am I afraid...? My family are happy, my fears are irrelevent...
Peace from a Buddhist..in an Islamic State....Hey... I never said the plan was perfect..../smiles/....besides, there is good opportunity to Practise here....
Be at Peace, Actions have Consequences, learn of them and calculate your Actions based on that knowledge.
A Buddhists perspective on fear...
2007-06-29 23:20:46 · answer #1 · answered by Gaz 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have nothing to fear as God controls my life and will see me through any situation. That doesn't mean that I will never face a bad situation...but only that the knowledge of God's being in control takes away my fear of it.
2007-06-29 23:41:43 · answer #2 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I face my fears head on and pray for a good outcome.
2007-06-30 00:13:17 · answer #3 · answered by fatbabyceesay 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am trying. As I grow in faith I come to realize more and more that I should not fear because perfect love casts out fear. God's love is perfect love and his perfect love abides in me.
1John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
One day when I get to heaven, and meet Jesus face to face, I will finally be completely fearless, for I will have been perfected in God's love.
2007-06-29 23:44:29 · answer #4 · answered by Micah T 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Calm, and a re-evaluation of values.
Don't get 'overly' excited by (any-) thing(s).
Dwell 'beneath' the surface, of appearances & convention.
Don't think in terms of 'me' & 'my'.
Be unattached to such perceptions.
2007-06-30 07:09:50 · answer #5 · answered by goodfella 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am afraid of nothing but God.
2007-06-29 23:40:43 · answer #6 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋