There's a song getting a lot of play these days on the alternative radio station in town: "Kill Your Heroes" by AWOLNATION. A frequently recurring line in the song runs "Never let your fear decide your fate."
I like that line. I think it's right. I also think it's hard to follow.
I've read that what makes a bodhisattva a bodhisattva is precisely the quality of fearlessness he or she possesses. Bodhisattvas are fearless because they have realized the emptiness of anything fear would seek to protect. For what do we have fear for, if not for ego-preservation? And what is realization if not waking up to the essential nullity of the ego?
Which may explain why I'm not much of a bodhisattva most days!
I like that line. I think it's right. I also think it's hard to follow.
I've read that what makes a bodhisattva a bodhisattva is precisely the quality of fearlessness he or she possesses. Bodhisattvas are fearless because they have realized the emptiness of anything fear would seek to protect. For what do we have fear for, if not for ego-preservation? And what is realization if not waking up to the essential nullity of the ego?
Which may explain why I'm not much of a bodhisattva most days!
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