Fear and the Illusion of Separateness

     “Fear is the primary mechanism sustaining the concept of the ‘other’ and reinforcing . . . loneliness and distance in our lives. [Through fear] we identify with a fragment of reality rather than with the whole. Metta [loving-kindness] overcomes the illusion of separateness... (and thereby) ... overcomes all of the states that accompany this fundamental error of separateness — [including] fear, alienation, loneliness, and despair . . . ”            Sharon Salzberg

         Phelan JP.  Practicing with Fear. Mindfulness - published online 06 September 2012.