I know intense fear quite well. I call it anxiety. Some of the most intense fear I’ve experienced has been surrounding fears that my body (or the body of another) is unwell in some way. That fear has seemingly had the power to cause me to obsess, ruminate, and be all consumed with worry. Bodily fears were a preferred ego hook to get me to buy into fear. The ego knew I’d take the bait. But I’m not playing its games anymore.
The world is completely neutral. Yet under the reign of the ego, the purpose of the world is to utterly convince us that we can be victim of attack, fear, sickness and aging. Repurposed under the Holy Spirit, the world’s divine purpose is to help us remember the Truth that we previously decided to forget.
When I’ve gone through periods of intense fear, here are some key points that have helped me move through it. Remember that fear is just the seemingly separated part of the mind trying to hide from Love.
I practice radical acknowledgment:
- I acknowledge everything that is coming up in me.
- I acknowledge my feelings, even if they are intense and unpleasant and I allow myself to feel them.
- I acknowledge the outcome I want. (e.g. “I want my body to be healthy” or “I want this business deal to come through”)
- I acknowledge that I believe I’ll be okay ONLY if the external picture is okay. In other words, I acknowledge that my peace seems to be dependent on an outcome. I also acknowledge that these are beliefs that need to be undone.
- I acknowledge that I don’t like what I’m feeling, and that I’m open to another way of seeing.
- I acknowledge that I must be misperceiving if I am distressed in any way.
I practice radical self-inquiry*
- I often ask myself, “What does this fear or thought show me about my belief system?”
For example, if I am afraid I am sick, I must believe I’m a body, I must believe that death is real, and I must believe that I have separated from Love. Once I see these beliefs, I am willing to look at all of these beliefs with Spirit.
I practice radical responsibility:
- “I take responsibility that I have created this fear… there is nothing external that is thrusting fear upon me.”
- This fear/issue/sickness/conflict/lack is coming from part of my mind, which is asleep and believes it is separate.
- I don’t have to understand how this experience is coming from part of my mind, but I am willing to be open to the idea that MAYBE IT IS coming from the part of my mind that is asleep. I’m willing to take responsibility for this, and I’m willing to see it differently.
- I do not feel guilt with any of this… Instead I give this all to Spirit and ask for a miracle instead.
I practice radical releasing.
- I give the outcome I want to Spirit
- I give my belief in my body to Spirit
- I give my life to Spirit
- I place my mind under Love’s guidance and ask to be taught how to think like Love/God thinks.
- I give everything that I’m attached to (my relationships, family, house, money, etc.) to Spirit.
I practice radical prayer
- Instead of “please make ME be okay” or “please heal ME” or “please heal THEM” I instead say, “I want to know the Truth.” “Help me to see the Truth.” “I want my perception healed.”
- As the truth dawns upon my mind I will know my perfection and the perfection of others. This awareness heals. This is available to me NOW.
- Truth requires no active effort. It just IS. My job is to simply ALLOW.
I practice radical remembering
- “I am willing to remember the Truth.”
- “I am willing to remember what our Source is.”
- Our Source is Love and ONLY Love. Love is God. Our Source is INCAPABLE of producing pain in any form or state, always and forever, period.
- If we were created in the image of Love/God, I cannot have any pain, suffering or sickness in me. Anything that shows up in my experience that says otherwise is just part of the dream. It is NOT the truth.
- I am willing to see like Love and learn how to look past what I see with the body’s eyes.
- Only the Truth is True.
- I am a perfect, whole, and complete idea in the Mind of Love. I am the Highest Idea in the Mind of Love. I lack for nothing. I am eternal and completely safe. I own that this is who I am.
- (By the way, you can skip every other step and just go straight to this one if you feel it is helpful.)
I practice radical non-judgment
- I remind myself that, “I am willing to not judge.”
- These quotes from A Course in Miracles are always helpful to me:
- “You have often been urged to refrain from judging, not because it is a right to be withheld from you. You cannot judge. You merely can believe the ego’s judgments, all of which are false.” – ACIM
- “In the end it does not matter whether your judgment is right or wrong. Either way you are placing your belief in the unreal.” – ACIM
Finally, I love this paragraph and prayer from A Course in Miracles:
“When anything seems to you to be a source of fear, when any situation strikes you with terror and makes your body tremble and the cold sweat of fear comes over it, remember it is always for one reason; the ego has perceived it as a symbol of fear, a sign of sin and death. Remember, then, that neither sign nor symbol should be confused with source, for they must stand for something other than themselves. Their meaning cannot lie in them, but must be sought in what they represent. And they may thus mean everything or nothing, according to the truth or falsity of the idea which they reflect. Confronted with such seeming uncertainty of meaning, judge it not. Remember the holy presence of the One given to you to be the Source of judgment. Give it to Him to judge for you, and say:
Take this from me and look upon it, judging it for me.
Let me not see it as a sign of sin and death, nor use it for destruction.
Teach me how not to make of it an obstacle to peace, but let You use it for me, to facilitate its coming.
As we remember our wholeness, fear falls away. As we release our identification with the small “self” (which is self-made) and remember the capital “S” Self (which is our True Self in the Mind of Love), anxiety must fall away. Awakening is a process of remembering our True Nature. Remember that the Course teaches, “You are not sick and you cannot die.” This is the Truth, and let’s remember it together, now.
If this was helpful, please let me know by leaving a comment below!
*”Radical self-inquiry” is a term that was coined by my friend and teacher, Nouk Sanchez.
This is a tremendously helpful blueprint for how to work with our minds. Thank you so much 🙂
Thank you Cheryl! I’m glad it was helpful.
Great job on delivering the work of spirit in our lives at all times! Prayer & meditation is a must everyday to calm the tornado of the mind. Frankly I need all the companions I can get! To witness the relentless voice of ego & to focus on the constant presence of God, to truly be mindful is one of the most challenging experiences. I know now I’m not alone! Thank you for sharing your work.” Let us not forget our function”. Thank you!
Your words really resonate with me Gina… My mind at times has definitely felt like a tornado and I agree… I need all the Mighty Companions I can get! 🙂
Oh my! I have that same exact quote highlighted and I reference it often! Thankyou for sharing! God Bless!
I love it! One mind. 🙂
Such a great article, Corinne! Did you know that Helen Schucman told Ken Wapnick that whenever she had an eyelash in her eye, Jesus removed it for her — literally. Ken used to tell that story in his classes 🙂
Wow Amy, I didn’t know that… thank you for sharing! 🙂
Great reminders!!! I need them breath by breath sometimes….. it’s definitely a process 🙏🏻✨
You’re so spot on, Patti. This is a moment-to-moment practice. 🙂
I found this post so useful today. I am often obsessive about my health. I have many food sensitivities and allergies. I often feel a lack of energy–feeling out of balance and that something in my environment is causing my distress. I never connected it to my ego and the way I’m thinking, although I do read and study the workbook every day. Thank you for sharing your experience and way of addressing my fear based on the Course. So helpful!
I’m so glad it was helpful, Jeanne. I’ve been there with health obsessions and it is just an ego ploy to keep our attention on it, rather than turning to Love. I’m so grateful to share in the journey with you!
Thank you Corinne, I’m feeling a lot of anxiety right now, always on the same theme, not working because of depression and therefore fear for the lack of money, resulting in death finally.. I’m constantly panicking and my mind gives me worstcasescenarios. I never was able to find a fulfilling job in the past, so now just thinking about this theme makes it unable for me to relax and eben hear Holy Spirit.. I’m really scared
Hi Katrien! We all have the preferred ego “worry patterns” in which the ego knows we’ll buy into the fear surrounding the circumstances and take the bait. See your pattern clearly, and simply be willing to take this pattern to your Inner Teacher. Ask to see it differently. When we retreat into our fear patterns, it is simply because we’ve gotten afraid of Love again. Be willing to tell yourself a new story of Love and Safety… until you learn that this new story is our Reality. I’m joining with you in the Truth! ♡
Thank you Corinne for the loving reminder <3
Corinne, this is just what i needed to read today – thank you so much. I am waiting for a diagnosis that scares me if
it’s confirmed. I forget that I’m not my body. Your beautiful article helps me remember in such a loving way that
isn’t who I am. Yet there are so many layers of fear and belief to let go of!
Carol I’ve been holding steady for you! You have a wonderful opportunity here because if you’d like, you can use the fear of the diagnosis as an opportunity to show you how much you still believe in “Carol.” In other words, the degree of the fear is a barometer for how much we still look to external circumstances for our safety. All you have to do is witness this coming up and be willing to take it to Spirit. Ask to see it differently. That’s your small part that makes room for miracles. You (and we) are ALREADY healed, safe and at home. We simply need to accept that. I’m hanging out with you in Light! ♡
Thank you
Corrine
I have a life long pattern of fear that seems to be generalized at this point and is a HUGE teacher for me . This articl is fabulous ! As is all of your work . I am loving the radio episodes !!! I am so grateful for your work and all of the work that is coming out in bringing ACIM to lives everywhere . It all seems like a MIRACLE 😄!
Connie
Exactly the message I need today – thank you <3
You are so welcome! ♡
Thank you
Corrine- wow. This was so very helpful! I have been praying for guidance as I’m dealing with challenging situation with loved one. I believe I was divinely lead to these words. I have signed up for your Sunday study groups and ordered your book. I am feeling a sense of peace I have not felt in awhile. Somehow I have been able to see that my challenging experience has been leading me to rediscover my connection to God. Sending you blessings!
Hi Monica! I’m so glad this is helpful. Much love to you!
I just followed the steps above in a meditation and I feel much better. Thank you hugely💖
Ps. I’d love to undertake a coaching course under your guidance and teaching. I have a desire to share anxiety to love steps with teenagers and adults 🌟
Hi Cróna! I’m so glad this was helpful. The coaching course will be coming down the road! xoxo