Fear Quote by Peter Matthiessen
““My foot slips on a narrow ledge; in that split second, as needles of fear pierce heart and temples, eternity intersects with present time. Thought and action are not different, and stone, air, ice, sun, fear, and self are one. What is exhilarating is to extend this acute awareness into ordinary moments, in the moment-by-moment experiencing of the lammergeier and the wolf, which, finding themselves at the center of things, have no need for any secret of true being. In this very breath that we take now lies the secret that all great teachers try to tell us…the present moment. The purpose of mediation practice is not enlightenment’ it is to pay attention even at unextraordinary times, to be of the present, nothing-but-the-present, to bear this mindfulness of now into each event of ordinary life.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Snow Leopard, 1978
The passage describes a heightened, unified awareness where fear, elements, and self merge, emphasizing mindfulness in ordinary moments as the true purpose of meditation.
In simple terms: Mindfulness merges all experience, not just enlightenment.
Key Takeaway
Practice present‑moment awareness daily.
Themes
mindfulness
spirituality
presence
Mood
calm
contemplative
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- daily chores
- walking
- working
- interacting with others
Key Concepts
non‑dualism
embodied awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you bring this acute awareness into routine tasks?
- What obstacles arise when trying to stay present?
A Different Perspective
May be challenging to sustain without formal practice.
![“You have to really make sure that every moment means something, and that every moment, there's a purpose for it. And then you have to blend it all together without it looking like you're really focusing on it. That, to me, was the magic trick that was most difficult for the film [Buried].” quote by Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d78/ryan-reynolds-1923_buried_you-have-to-really-make-sure-that-every_2806789.jpg)
