Elimination of Fear Is the Beginning of Attention ( 13 june 2006)

How is the state of attention to be brought about? It cannot be cultivated throughpersuasion, comparison, reward, or punishment, all of which are forms of coercion.The elimination of fear is the beginning of attention. Fear must exist as long asthere is an urge to be or to become, which is the pursuit of success, with all itsfrustrations and tortuous contradictions. You can teach concentration, but attentioncannot be taught, just as you cannot possibly teach freedom from fear, and inunderstanding these causes there is the elimination of fear. So attention arisesspontaneously when around the student there is an atmosphere of well-being, when hehas the feeling of being secure, of being at ease, and is aware of the disinterestedaction that comes with love. Love does not compare, and so the envy and torture of"becoming" cease.

The Book of Life - June 13_______________________________________________