Fear and Spirituality
Category: Unitarian Universalism - General
I’ve written recently about silence as a way to greater peace. But this morning I read the post “Silent and Still” (at Fidelia’s Sisters) which recasts silence as fear — fear of being alone and of facing an unknown future. “Silent and Still” is a fictional piece about a young clergywoman who has recently moved to a small town and is grappling with this other kind of silence.
The narrator explains:
When I moved to this small town far from the city, the silence surprised me. I need silence desperately. I need the respite from the insistence of so many demands – but this is silence is not familiar. This is the silence that creeps in after the church doors are locked. This is the silence that frightens me beyond belief. This is the silence that I want to end.
Although fear can be difficult to discuss, it has a powerful impact on our spiritual development. One of the common searches that brings people to Looking for Faith is “prayers for when you are scared.” It’s a fact that often we are driven into spiritual seeking when we are most afraid.
“Silent and still” reminds readers that no one, even a minister, is immune to a bout of fear. The question that matters for our spiritual lives is how we respond when this kind of silence is upon us. What stories, hopes, people or words help get us through? How is our faith strengthened or changed by the experience?
November 11th, 2007 23:38
You know, I’ve never really thought of fear as being a component of spirituality. Being that I suffer from an anxiety disorder, fear is a very regular part of my life. Has fear affected my spiritual development? I don’t know… I’ll have to think about it.
If you wouldn’t mind, I may even write an entry on my own blog about it…
- John
http://www.thepagelessbook.com
November 12th, 2007 19:12
Hi John,
Of course you are welcome to post about this. Others could benefit from what you have learned. However, I did notice on your blog that you are interested in a career in ministry, so my advice would be to consider how much personal detail you really want to share online (actually, this is my advice to any blogger), and how you can share your insights in a way that is ministering to others. That is unsolicited advice, but I hope it is helpful.
November 15th, 2007 22:32
I’ve actually posted my take on this subject here:
http://www.thepagelessbook.com/2007/11/13/faith-fear/
I’ve sent you an e-mail in regards to your other comments.
Namaste.
November 17th, 2007 15:03
[…] A few days ago, Shelby published an article on her blog that implied some measure of spiritual growth comes naturally from overcoming fear. The article itself is brief, allowing instead the story to which it linked make her argument. I highly recommend reading it; the story isn’t long at all. While the short story demonstrated effectively how overcoming fear could lead to spiritual growth, I felt that there was more to be said about the subject. I would like to present you with my own experiences. […]
November 23rd, 2007 20:32
I’ve seen a close connection between fear and spirituality.
Before I was even aware of UU, it seemed to me that some religions were for sissies. After all, if you could simply blame things on a higher power and get absolved, it would you let you off the hook and free from taking responsibility.
I thought maybe others were facing fear in a macho way, to feel their spirit and aliveness, although maybe that was really just an adrenline rush.
Now I’ve had the pleasure (?) of facing and going through several fears of my own and also talking with people of many spiritual traditions about how fear ties into their spirit, I’ve developed some different perspectices.
Even better, I’ve incorporated fear into my daily practice. It’s amazing how liberating and enlivening it can be - on the other side.
November 24th, 2007 12:10
Hi Dan,
Thanks for sharing your experience of overcoming fears through spiritual exploration. I am so intrigued about how your have “incorporated fear into daily practice.”