Conquering Fear Through Non-Attachment: Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita - (Podcast).
Insights from Lord Krishna's teachings and free solo climber Alain Robert, known as "Spider-Man", on overcoming fear through preparation, present moment focus, and non-attachment.
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Alain Robert - Image by Web
The Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture that is part of the epic Mahabharata, contains timeless wisdom about overcoming fear. In the Gita, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to perform his duties without attachment or regard for success or failure. He tells Arjuna to overcome fear and fight, explaining that the soul is eternal while the body is temporary. Krishna says "He who lets the mind dwell on the objects of sense with attachment, develops an attachment to them; from attachment arises desire; from desire, anger comes forth." He urges Arjuna to act without desire or fear of outcomes.
These teachings resonate with the perspective of Alain Robert, the daring French rock climber known as "Spider-Man" for scaling skyscrapers worldwide with no ropes or safety equipment. While Alain may not be familiar with the Bhagavad Gita or Vedanta philosophy, his approach to climbing aligns with key lessons from the ancient scripture.
Alain has climbed over 100 structures around the world, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Empire State Building in New York. In climbing massive buildings, fear is ever-present. However, Alain has learned not to let fear paralyze him or stop him from acting.
Podcast with the Vedanta teacher Craig Warren and the free solo climber Alain Robert.
Like Arjuna on the battlefield, Alain faces tremendous fears yet acts despite them. For Alain, the lesson is about focusing on the task at hand with determination and awareness, rather than getting distracted by emotions. He emphasizes the importance of intensive preparation so that when fear arises, he can carry on skillfully.
Alain specifically highlighted the importance of being fully present, in the moment, while climbing. He explained that he is intensely focused, not thinking about past climbs or plans. Letting go of attachment and outcomes is incredibly empowering for Alain. When he climbs, he accepts that failure and even death are possible, yet he acts anyway. This attitude aligns with Krishna's message to Arjuna to let go of desires and act without regard for outcomes.
While few can emulate Alain's extreme climbing exploits, we can apply his wisdom about managing fear. Intensive preparation and training build confidence to face anxieties. When fears arise, we can stay focused on the task, rather than becoming paralyzed. Accepting impermanence and letting go of attachment allows us to act boldly. Channeling these insights, we too can achieve more by overcoming fear's restraints.
Alain Robert's approach translates universal messages about overcoming fear into practical principles for climbing. By applying similar insights from the Bhagavad Gita, we too can turn trepidation into determination and act decisively despite inner turmoil. Both the ancient scripture and Alain's modern climbing example show that freeing ourselves from fear enables us to realize our potential.
“Free from desire, fear, and anger, absorbed in Me, taking refuge in Me, many in the past have purified themselves with the knowledge of Me, and thus have attained my divine love.” (4.10)
The Bhagavad Gita
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