Truth And Fear

The Three Gates offer insight even into current headlines. Interrogating the notion that “Anger is a mask over fear” demands that we ask if it is True, Useful, and Kind. Let’s explore.

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Proposed: Violence stems from anger, anger is fear. And just as I’ve asked you to ask what motivates a violent action, you also need to consider the same thing when you look at the response. Action. Reaction. Action. Reaction. In an endless spiral, until someone breaks the chain by stepping out of the reactive mind.

When we meditate, we step outside that spiral and observe our own thoughts and feelings. When there is conflict, when you lose your temper, ask what you were afraid of. Answering that question of yourself brings you knowledge. Applying what you have learned to others gives you wisdom. Using that wisdom to drive effective action gives you POWER.

ASK “WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF?” Understanding does not mean accepting, except to say “humans do that.” To address the fear is to dispel the anger, and quench the violence. If your only response is ego anger to ego anger, survival fear for survival fear, you are in the conflict spiral, where the only question is: “who has the most efficient and effective force?” That is one half of the Tao, one half of the equation. There is an entirely different approach, just as valid and powerful, but less appealing to the ego, especially when IT is afraid and hiding that fear with anger. To see the fear in others, and address it with both strength AND empathy demands that you first do…