Living without fear

Living without fear

This talk was given at the Kreta Ayer People’s Theater in Singapore in November 2002.

Fear and worry

  • The disturbing emotions of fear and worry and how to deal with them
  • Stories we create that fuel panic and have no basis in reality
  • Staying in the present as an antidote to worry
  • Examine the likelihood of worst-case scenarios

Fear and Worry 01 (download)

Antidotes to fear and worry

  • Compassion short-circuits the stories and gives perspective
  • Consider long-term worldview
  • Kindness as a stress-buster

Fear and Worry 02 (download)

Applying the antidotes and questions and answers

  • Contemplating the main points of countering fear
  • Handling small instances, and then working your way up to greater and greater ability
  • Controlling anger
  • Helping children of dying parents
  • Observing the mind
  • Fear of making wrong decisions
  • Chanting to relieve worry
  • Animal testing
  • What happens after we die

Fear and Worry 03 (download)

Questions and answers continued

  • Developing a broader perspective
  • Compassion for those who lack it
  • Respect for those of other religions
  • Living in the present and making plans for the future
  • Use of anti-anxiety drugs

Fear and Worry 04 (download)

Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.