Where Fear Thrives

"Having eyes, but not seeing beauty;

having ears, but not hearing music;

having minds, but not perceiving truth ...

These are the things to fear ..."

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

When the subway speeds us through darkness or the airplane jets  through the sky, our minds are still pointed towards preparation for what lays ahead.  We rehearse our presentation, tighten up our speech, and examine our reports unaware of the beauty surrounding us.

Notice the beautiful colors in a woman's coat or wonder about the coin turning in the wrinkled hand of the old man. Speculate about the child who is so endearing to his mother.   Can you glimpse a reflection of the self in the person whose body language screams, "Stay the hell away!"   Those around us reflect how we view our world.  

If our eyes  fall upon isolated souls, we have turned our heart from the sacred beauty dwelling within.  At some point we have lost our sense of appreciation and can no longer view the enchanted parts of life.  It is in this undecorated space where fear thrives without beauty in the heart.