Monthly Spiritual Themes guide Chalice Circles, small groups that gather monthly to explore meaningful spiritual themes through personal sharing. For more information on Chalice Circles, please email chalicecircles@uuprinceton.org. Our Chalice Circle thoughts and questions around the theme of Fear this month are:

“I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me. I have accepted fear as a part of life, specifically the fear of change, the fear of the unknown, and I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back, turn back, you’ll die if you venture too far.” -Erica Jong

Have you been able to move forward despite the fear of change and the fear of the unknown?

 

“Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

What do you focus on from the past or worry about the future? What would help you stay focused on the present?

 

“Fear can be good when you are walking past an alley at night or when you need to check the locks on your doors before you go to bed, but it’s not good when you have a goal and you are fearful of obstacles. We often get trapped by our fears, but anyone who has had success has failed before.” -Queen Latifah

How has a past failure led to a future success in your life?

 

“What is needed, rather than running away or controlling or suppressing or any other resistance, is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come directly into
contact with it. We are to learn about fear, not how to escape from it.” -Jiddu Krishnamurti

What does fear look like, sound like, feel like to you?