How to Overcome Fear and Discover Your True Worthiness — Part 3 of 3
After journeying together through Parts 1 and 2 of this Overcoming Fear Through Worthiness series, we now approach the summit — discovering the source of our true worthiness and, most importantly, how to live that understanding in our everyday lives.
Let’s begin this final step together...
From Fear to Worthiness – a Shift in Frequency
I remember a time when most cars had a radio similar to the one seen in the image above. Basically, you would turn a dial or push a button to locate a particular station or to switch between the FM and AM bands.
A vintage car radio like this one makes a wonderful metaphor for life.
Let’s begin with the FM band which we will call the “Fear Mindset”.
Many of us go through life on the FM band, moving back and forth across the dial experiencing periods of relative good and not-so-good, fear, worthiness, etc.
Somewhere along the way we hopefully awaken from the no-win circumstances of the FM band and begin to search for a new frequency.
With a little time, awareness, and determination, we discover the AM band – the “Authentic Mindset” where we can begin to make the shift from relative human worthiness to true worthiness.
And there is something else interesting about these two letters: AM
As our journey unfolds, AM will lead us to something much deeper – the I AM Presence, the source of our true worthiness!
Making this shift in frequency is where the final part of our journey begins.
“Our Deepest Fear” – a Lesson from the Movie Coach Carter
In the gritty yet inspiring movie Coach Carter [1], coach Ken Carter takes a group of troubled, inner-city high school boys and turns them into a great basketball team. More importantly, he helps mold them into a group of responsible young men along the way. Throughout the movie, Coach Carter repeatedly asks one of his team leaders and best players, Timo Cruz: What is your deepest fear?
Throughout the movie, Timo is seen as the one sliding back and forth on the Fear Mindset dial. It is not until the latter part of the movie and after many learning experiences that Timo begins to understand his coach’s question. In other words, Timo is beginning to make a shift in frequency!
Watch the moving clip and share in Timo’s discovery:
The words from the movie clip are worth repeating here:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” [2]
What Our Deepest Fear Reveals
Let’s take a look at some of these statements more closely.
“It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” — often attributed to Plato
Why would our light frighten us? I believe it’s because recognizing our own light brings responsibility and accountability. It is often easier to blame others, point to our circumstances, or criticize what is happening around us than to recognize the role we ourselves play.
Once we understand and recognize our true spiritual nature, we can no longer overlook it.
The old saying, “If they knew better, they’d do better,” really applies here. We create our world in so many ways. And when we begin to do better, we start to recognize the responsibility we have in shaping our own experiences.
To know that each of us has a dedicated source of spiritual Light within us is a profound gift. But that gift also carries responsibility - the responsibility to uplift rather than criticize, and to accept that Light as the source of true worthiness in ourselves and in others.
“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.”
I believe most of us had an experience growing up or at some other point in life where we chose to “shrink” so others wouldn’t feel insecure around us. You can read my own, personal experience from high school here or by clicking on the picture above.
“We are all meant to shine as children do.”
Ultimately, life is about the heart—it’s the type of innocence, simplicity, faith, humility, and love we frequently see in a child.
Unless these qualities are present, we can become so focused on knowledge, achievement, or determining who is “greatest” that we can miss the simple yet profound truth we are seeking.
Jesus captured this idea beautifully when he said:
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:4
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
If our presence can liberate ourselves and others, then what exactly is that Presence?
Your I AM Presence – the Source of True Worthiness
The picture above is often referred to as the Chart of Your Divine Self [3]. It reveals in each of us our own unique and profound relationship to God. It's the only real selfie you’ll ever need!
Let’s focus on the upper figure which is a sphere of light called the I AM Presence.
Your I AM Presence is surrounded by seven beautiful concentric spheres of pulsating light. These scintillating spheres comprise your causal body and are filled with the unlimited potential of Spirit.
Each of us has a causal body which is entirely unique because it is composed of the energies we have personally set in motion in all our lifetimes. These spheres of pulsating spiritual energy contain the record of all our good works. They are a spiritual bank account of sorts.
We can make “withdrawals” from our Causal Body by calling upon the Light assets stored there. And we can apply these resources in our daily lives to help sustain ourselves and others.
In addition, we can make “deposits” into our spiritual bank account. For example, every good deed, positive thought, and heartfelt prayer adds to our Causal Body and these deposits are compounded over time. Through these practices, we create a real opportunity to expand our Causal Body to immense proportions and deepen our service to others.
Remember Timo’s words: "It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone."
This divine reality is understood across many spiritual traditions. To Hindus, it is known as Brahma. Buddhists call it the Dharmakaya, while Christians think of it as God the Father. It is indeed the spirit of God individualized for each one of us!
Your I AM Presence is a part of your being right now; it is not separated from you. God is within us – not outside of us. The only separation you experience from your I AM Presence is created by your own sense of limitation and any non-acceptance of its divine reality.
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. – Psalms 82:6
The Light flowing from our I AM Presence is both constant and pure. We have a moment-by-moment choice in how we can direct and express this Light. This is why our thoughts, words, and actions are so important.
Don’t confine your I AM Presence to the borders of a picture either. Your Presence is teeming with Light, spherical, and capable of extending far beyond anything we can physically see or imagine. Each time we send love to others, perform good works or offer service, we add to the spiritual treasury we are building and increase our capacity to serve others.
If you are new to some of these spiritual concepts, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Either way, this is an excellent time to relax and enjoy the imagery and music in the following video, The Rainbow Connection. [4]
How Do We Access Our I AM Presence?
Awareness
Our external reflection is not the complete picture. The person we see in the mirror is only a part of who we are. Our appearance, accomplishments, failures, possessions, and even the opinions of others do not define our true worthiness.
We access our I AM Presence, in part, by putting our attention upon it – by focusing on it, asking for its guidance, offering it our love and gratitude, and surrendering our fears so we may receive greater faith. Through these actions, our Presence begins to become a more powerful force for Good in our lives.
Give I AM Mantras and Affirmations
Following is a series of I AM affirmations all compiled into one very beautiful and meaningful mantra that can be contemplated, spoken or sung.
I AM Light [5]
I AM Light, glowing Light,
Radiating Light, intensified Light.
God consumes my darkness,
Transmuting it into Light.
This day I AM a focus of the Central Sun.
Flowing through me is a crystal river,
A living fountain of Light
That can never be qualified
By human thought and feeling.
I AM an outpost of the Divine.
Such darkness as has used me is swallowed up
By the mighty river of Light which I AM.
I AM, I AM, I AM Light;
I live, I live, I live in Light.
I AM Light’s fullest dimension;
I AM Light’s purest intention.
I AM Light, Light, Light
Flooding the world everywhere I move,
Blessing, strengthening, and conveying
The purpose of the kingdom of heaven.
When the Past Echoes Through Generations
There are six and possibly seven generations of my family who once lived in the area where I now reside.
I believe some of my personal challenges with worthiness began in this very area well before I was born.
My great-grandfather was an accomplished musician and violinist – not a concert artist but one who played in a band for the hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people who lived in the community and surrounding area.
But this all changed one day.
My great-grandfather was walking in a field and mistakenly picked up a live electrical wire. Fortunately, it wasn’t life threatening but it left his hands gnarled and damaged to the point where he could not play the violin anymore.
I do not know all of the specifics of his life’s journey but I do know this incident changed him. Perhaps he felt angry, unworthy, incomplete or that he was somehow being punished by God. But after the accident, he began to pass on many of these negative thoughts and feelings on to his own children.
These challenges with worthiness began, in part, with an unfortunate accident long ago and rippled out into succeeding generations.
Fortunately, there is great hope and opportunity for positive change because…
You Can Change Your Heredity!
We may inherit traits and patterns from our parents and ancestors, but our inheritance does not have to define who we become.
Hereditary traits are governed by the interaction of consciousness, environment, and our soul’s own special purpose.
As lifetime follows lifetime, the spiritual gift and graces that a soul earns, though they may be dormant for a season, cannot be lost unless the soul relinquishes them by freewill. We inherit traits from our parents but we also bring our own heredity with us and remold ourselves after our soul’s divine image.
What has been passed down to us can become an opportunity for transformation!
The Violet Flame – a Practice for Transformation
We know that DNA can be affected by environmental agents such as chemicals, radiation, and viruses. Spiritual transformation can reach beyond these physical influences. The Light from our I AM Presence, together with the violet flame, offers a spiritual means of purification, transmutation, and renewal.
The violet flame is an action of the Spirit and works in accordance with divine law. Violet-flame transmutation of our DNA is where our understanding of science and the mysteries of God converge. [6]
Try It – A Violet Flame Meditation on Worthiness
Here is a simple meditation you can do. As you meditate on the DNA molecule, visualize the violet flame purifying and infusing the molecule with your desired virtues. Having a visual image helps you influence it more powerfully. There is no limit to what positive qualities you can impress upon it – including worthiness!
It is a grace that the violet flame can travel so-to-speak through our family history and DNA to help transmute, change and heal our past – not only this life but other lifetimes and the lives of others to whom we are genetically and karmically tied!
Changing the Frequency – One Person at a Time
Imagine what will happen as you begin to shift your frequency – from fear to true worthiness.
This is where real transformation on a global scale will begin – not by changing everyone else, but by changing ourselves!
One person. One choice. One action.
The next step is now yours to take. Why not begin today?
Until next time…
Footnotes and other info
[1] Coach Carter - written by Mark Schwahn and John Gatins
[2] adapted from Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love; spoken by Timeo Cruz in Coach Carter (2005).
[3] image source: The Summit Lighthouse, [Chart of Your Divine Presence]
[4] The Rainbow Connection. Music and lyrics written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher. Performed by Richard and Karen Carpenter
[5] source: The Summit Lighthouse, “[I AM Light]
[6] adapted from the book Violet Flame Alchemy for Personal Change by SU Press
