Fear, love and what our brains do...a thought by Boulet

Michael Lagocki (aka Michael-the-Art-Love-Magic-Guy) introduced me to an artist named, Joshua Boulet.  I read his book Draw Occupy Wall Street which was a really interesting capture of the experience that wasn't shown on the news.  Joshua lives minimally--traveling around the country (and perhaps internationally) drawing his experiences.

I often write to help sort out a big idea. Some thought I want to not only communicate but to better understand in myself. Josh draws.

Michael sent me a drawing by Josh where he was thinking on paper...

Josh grapples with the juxtaposition of fear and love. Honestly, I never realized they were connected until I read the scripture by the Apostle John that says: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

Michael sent me this image a couple of months ago.  I didn't realize how important it would be in the thoughts I've been having lately about the links between judgment, fear and punishment until he reminded me of it when he was in my office the other day. 

As Josh illustrates, it takes "mastery".  We have to work to get our brains to love.  Which means we have to choose what stays and what goes.  That's the thing right? We choose what we think.  We select our thoughts. It may feel automatic, but that is what concentration is for. To let the stream of random thoughts flow and direct our consciousness only toward what we want to develop. 

"When everything you retain is lovable, there is no reason for fear to remain." 

I believe Josh is right.