Litany Against Fear.

From Frank Herbert’s Dune, a favourite novel of mine that I haven’t read in a long time. (I love the film too 😀 ) It’s overdue another read soon, just need to finish a couple other books first. 🙂

The Litany is spoken by someone as a way to over come their fear, a mantra if you will, to give strength in times of danger and peril. It’s said by Paul Atreides in the book, to help focus his mind and is as follows:

I love the use of words, how the fear is permitted to pass over and leave. Then to see it gone, leaving them free of it. I know it’s fiction, but the idea of facing your fears and putting them behind you is as real as anything in this world. Something we all strive to do, with varying effect.

But also how it describes what fear is. Fear is the mind-killer, it can paralyse you and stop you from living your life. As such it is the little death, fear stops you from doing even the little things if you let it.

Don’t let it take over, face your fear whatever it may be. You don’t have to do so alone, friends will help if you ask. There’s always someone willing to help, even if sometimes we don’t believe it. Once you’ve faced your fears, you’ll be free to live your life and be happy. It only takes a moment of courage, it may seem daunting at times but fear seems worse than it is. It’s like a large shadow that’s cast by a small object, you only see the shadow at first. But when you turn to face it, you see just how small it is and it has no power over you.

Until next time, have courage friends. 🙂

Stew