When fear stops you, Bo’Rá K’n has won. He has already won much, Toshar. Don’t give him any more victories.
— The MoonQuest
As we respond to yesterday's news of a foiled terrorist plot in the U.K., it's important to remember that terror is a state of intense fear and that the ultimate aim of all terrorists is to more firmly anchor that fear within us.
A terrorist's most potent weapon is not a gun, bomb or exploded airliner. A terrorist's most potent weapon is fear and what it does to us, how it changes us, how it limits us...how we allow it to disempower us.
It's also important to remember that terrorism takes many forms. Al-Qaeda's brand is clear. That practiced in other forums, including by aspects of our selves, is not always so easy to identify.
A "war on terror" that promotes vigilance, empowerment, inner strength, inner wisdom, self-respect and fearlessness is worthy of engaging. One that promotes fear, control, dependence and an us-vs.-them mindset carries the potential to be as damaging as any overt act of terror.
Fortunately, it's not always about making a choice between fear and fearlessness. Given the way we're currently wired, it's just not possible to be fearless 100 percent of the time.
It's natural, for example, to feel fear when faced with a new opportunity or when we're challenged to move to a new level — professionally, emotionally or in consciousness.
If fearlessness (action tempered by wisdom) is the ultimate goal, courage is a worthy and often necessary intermediate one.
In fact, if you think back to any major step in your life, it probably followed this sequence:
1) Fear (inaction)
2) Courage (fearful action)
3) Fearlessness (automatic action)
When, at age 39, I took a driver education class, I was terrified. Although I had continued to renew my license, I had not driven in more than 20 years — not since causing a minor fender bender (against someone with true terrorist potential!) shortly after getting my license. Stage One: Inaction.
At 39, poised to leave an urban Toronto life of walking, cycling and public transit for a rural life in Nova Scotia, I knew I had to be able to drive and, so, took the class, despite my fear. Stage Two: Fearful Action.
Twelve years (and untold miles) later, driving is an integral, natural and joy-filled part of my life. Stage Three: Automatic Action.
We repeat these three stages all the time. Every day, in fact, each of us is in all three, each stage relating to a particular aspect of our lives.
What terrorists of all brands would have us do is spend all our time locked in Stage One.
The way we win any war on terror is to refuse to be herded back there.
The way we win any war on terror is to keep moving into Stages 2 and 3.
The way we win any war on terror is to remember that although terrorists take many forms and guises, the aim of each and every one is to keep you in fear.
Don't let them do it!
Just as fear has not stopped you from reaching this point in your journey, it will not stop you from continuing, unless you submit to it, Toshar. Don’t submit to it. When you do, Bo’Rá K’n grows stronger.
— The MoonQuest
GenesisI first came upon the rock formation that rises from the 9,666-foot Powder River Pass on US-16 as it crosses Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains, nine years ago, during a time of powerful transition.
I remember being pulled out of the car and part way up the slope as the rocks spoke to me of dragons, my origins and the beginnings of time.
Although the experience stayed with me over the years, its location did not. So when I felt called to take US-16 through the Big Horns a few weeks ago, I had expectations of nothing but the amazing scenery and powerful energy of these mountains.
Yet, as soon as I reached the pass, pulled onto the turnout and looked up, my 1997 experience came rushing back.
Once more, the rocks called me to them as, once more, I find myself in a time of personal transformation, a time of dragons, a time of genesis.
To see this drawing or to order a copy, click here and select #94.
