The Greatest Fear

[Zephonith Serpent Woman]

“We cannot see who we truly are; we cannot see that we are not free. That is why humans resist Life. To be alive is the greatest fear humans have.
Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive – the risk to be alive and express who we really are”

– Don Miguel Ruiz

The Mexican Day of the Dead festival, is an ancient American tradition that honours the dead. This day is set aside to revel and really celebrate!

The passing of the soul, to where it is supposed to go, is seen by many peoples as the greatest adventure, a doorway to new possibilities and something to prepare for well ! 

It is a fiesta of note, and intended to evoke the joy of knowing and dispel any doubt, that the cycles of Life and Death are completely natural – and that there is one irrevokable fact of life; which is, everything is born , flourishes and then ultimately dies in it’s turn. There is a beginning and an ending to all things, and this spirals out again in an infinite progression.

The essential message of this colourful festival, where people dance with wild abandon, and whose dancing partners are skeletons, is that only by truly embracing – loving and accepting Death, can we embrace Life to the fullest extent.

If we fear Death, we fear Life - by surrendering to Death, we liberate ourselves to enjoy and celebrate life – our own life, as in who we are and what we are supposed to be doing . Most people are simply too afraid to just be themselves, for fear that society will judge them.
Unconditional, uncompromising love for oneself leaves no breathing space for fear. How many times have you told yourSelf lately, “I love you”?

After all, is it not true, that if you smile at the mirror , it will smile right back at you?

We were not created to live in fear, for Love is Immortal, while fear is an illusion which inhibits us and prevents people from really living life to the fullest. If we really don’t fear Death, then what other fear do we have left?
As Don Miguel Ruiz says, we must take that risk – do you dare to be yourself?

Go on, I DARE YOU !

A book I can recommend : Ruiz, Miguel Angel M.D.(1997) “The Four Agreements – A practical guide to personal freedom” San Rafael, California. Amber-Allen publishing,Inc. ISBN1-878424-31-9