Rediscovering the Litany Against Fear

The last couple of years have defied normalcy, with 2022 being anything but ordinary. It's been a rollercoaster of deep introspection, confronting pivotal decisions about moving, scaling my ventures, career transitions, the dynamics of relationships, and the ever-ponderous "what's next?" These junctures are the essence of life's adventure—thrilling, uncertain, and a bit scary.

One striking incident in February, a car accident while I was cycling home, brought these feelings to a peak. That accident not only marked the end of my beloved bike, Frank, but also a moment of acute vulnerability and fear. It was during this time that I found solace in the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear, a mantra from Frank Herbert's "Dune," which I had revisited in April 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This Litany is a powerful reminder to not succumb to fear, as it only serves to paralyze and destroy. It encourages facing fears directly, allowing them to pass, and then examining their remnants with clarity.

The Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

To those unfamiliar, the Litany Against Fear is a cornerstone for those in "Dune" facing danger(Dune’s got plenty more than giant sandworms on a drugged-up desert planet). The Litany was meant to serve as a mantra and focus individuals' minds in times of peril. It's a mental anchor, defining fear as a transient emotion that, once faced, loses its grip, leaving behind only the strength of the individual. My own ordeal, lying in the aftermath of the accident, became a testament to the Litany's power. Reciting it brought a moment of tranquility amidst turmoil.

This experience reinforced my belief in a multi-faceted approach to dealing with life's stressors—be it through Stoic reflections, meditation and mindfulness exercises (such as Fear Setting), therapy (we can all benefit from this), or even responsible use of substances like cannabis and psychedelics. The Litany Against Fear stands out in this arsenal, a mental knife to cut through the fog of fear, revealing the resilience within us.

As a knife is useful in physical reality, the Litany Against Fear is useful in psychological reality and its ability to teach us that when we face our fears mindfully and logically: only we will remain.

Fast forward to a reflective moment on June 21st, sitting on the steps of the National Portrait Gallery in D.C. during the year's longest sunset. It was a time to take stock of the tumultuous first half of 2022, acknowledging both the chapters closing and the new beginnings unfolding. In looking ahead to the second half of 2022, I find myself once again at the crossroads of life - sensing excitement, uncertainty, and lingering fear, but this time I am comforted in knowing when faced with the mind-killer, the Litany Against Fear will continue to provide me the courage to trust that I will remain.

My hope is that sharing this Litany and my experiences will help others navigate their own fears and uncertainties. Just as it has provided me with courage and resilience, may the Litany Against Fear offer you the same strength to face whatever comes your way.