(no subject)
In the past, Zen masters were known to cut off a students finger if would get the point across. The point was that grasping at life is futile, as on a long enough time line no matter how stringently you cling you will ultimately lose it. I've been assaulted, knocked unconscious, been in several car accidents, been unemployed, homeless, carless, stopped by the cops with enough MDMA on me to put me away for life, cut open, bitten by black widows, a ferrel pit bull and on more than one occasion an adult man severely impacted by autism. All harrowing, and at the moment they happened all frightening.
More to the point, most of these experiences happened in close succession to one another. My response was not superstitious behavior but learned resilience. I was more affraid of losing my job and being homeless BEFORE I lost my job or was homeless. Once it happens you realize there's nothing to fear, just a life ripe with possibilities you hadn't considered before. When I was bit by a black widow I didn't go to a hospital, I meditated, payed attention to my body's response and waited it out. A few hours later most of the symptoms were gone and I really wanted sugar and water. Can you guess what I'm not affraid of anymore?
Car accidents happen, most things that can kill you will do so so fast that you won't have time to cognitively process the threat before it's too late. Knowing this, it simply doesn't make sense to spend time fretting about it. You'll dodge what you can, take the hits you can't, and ultimately die regardless.
Through fear comes liberation, one need only have the fortitude to pass through it. It is not a question of control, but one of acceptance. The acceptance of your lack of control.