Lion in the Tapestry

Letting Go of Perceived Fears

Roger: There is a line from a song by a wise American singer, Lou Reed, which reminds me of Sufi wisdom: ‘You can’t depend on the worst always happening.’

Murshid: Yet another lesson on our need to let go of outcomes.

Roger: It also brings us back to perception.

Murshid: Indeed.

A child-prince was always terrified to go into his father-king’s great meeting room. Everyone tried to find out why even the thought of entering through the grand doors caused him to run back to his room and hide under the bed. When he got older, he finally faced his fears, which lived in his imagination. It turned out there was a giant carpet on the wall with the picture of a ferocious lion embroidered in the center.

Pin the tale: Where is your mind exaggerating a possible negative outcome?