Talk about facing my fears of impermanence and death! I finally got the ball rolling on my passport application so I can go to Scotland this summer for my little sister's wedding. I know I've been putting it off / out of my mind cause deep down I'm scared shitless of flying over there this summer. Don't get me wrong, I want to be there at my sister's wedding, but it's the flying that really has me worked up. Even before 9/11 I wasn't too keen on flying. Now with war imminent with Iraq and all the possible ramifications that could bring to Americans traveling abroad, my fears have increased a bit.

I can read tons of teaching on fear of death and impermanence till I'm blue in the face, but before I experience them first hand through my everyday practice, I'm going to have trouble believing in the words of the great masters that have come before me.

But what can I do? I gotta live my life right? It should be quite a good opportunity to practice right in the middle of my fear.

Gassho