This world can undoubtedly be a very scary place. With all of its polarities, it’s darkness, it’s wounds, it can make “courage” seem like an unattainable goal. How can one feel safe when nothing is for certain? Where do prayers land while they remain unanswered? Dizzying questions inundate our minds, yet still we strive to be at peace. Still we reach for courage to save us from self-pity and stagnation.

But what exactly is courage? Is it fearlessness? Is it a discipline? Is it learned or innate behavior? It is innate within our species to seek harmony in spite of the lack of guaranteed safety. To be courageous is a primordial human ambition.

Osho says that: “In the beginning there is not much difference between the coward and the courageous person. The only difference is, the coward listens to his fears and follows them, and the courageous person puts them aside and goes ahead. The courageous person goes into the unknown in spite of all the fears.”

Courage does not preclude fear. In fact, it can only exist where fear exists. Courage is the medicine that turns fear into a spiritual elixir; into an alchemizing force meant to liberate you. Courage is what it takes to ground you deep into the earth and make you an intrinsic part of its evolution.

So to be courageous, one must be willing to stay awake. One must be willing to witness fear even as it takes over one’s senses. And once the heart muscles expand and the exhale is slow and steady, then one has passed through the fear and is ready for creation…what will YOU create?