Elias speaks in Session 1861 about appreciation and how to get rid of fear. If you want to get rid of fear, you have to practice appreciation and that means first: Appreciate Yourself! And remember: Love is appreciation and knowledge!
Guest: In fighting fear we perpetuate it, so what other beneficial habit is next to fear that will alleviate fear?
ELIAS: Appreciation. Appreciation neutralizes fear, but genuine appreciation not artificial.
But as we discussed earlier, appreciation is an unfamiliar action to many of you. Therefore, it is advisable that you begin in increments. For the point is not to overwhelm yourselves, and also not to snare yourselves or trap yourselves in a manner in which you are attempting to generate an appreciation and in a moment, if you are unsuccessful, that you immediately discount yourself and perpetuate this devaluing of yourself.
Fear is an expression of powerlessness. Therefore, the point would not to be reinforcing that but to be interrupting it with something that can become familiar to you, although it is unfamiliar initially. This is the reason that it is significant to practice with acknowledgment and appreciation to acknowledge what you have accomplished, acknowledge what you ARE doing.
Credit yourselves not other individuals.
If we were standing in your physical shoes, that would be our dominant quest: Entertaining Yourself, pleasing Yourself, connecting with Yourself, being Yourself, enjoying Yourself, loving Yourself. Some say, “Well, Abraham you teach selfishness.” And we say, yes we do, yes we do, yes we do, because unless you are selfish enough to reach for that connection, you don’t have anything to give anyone, anyway. And when you are selfish enough to make that connection—you have an enormous gift that you give everywhere you are.
Appreciation vs. Gratitude
Enbrightenment! This rhetorical expression hearkens to a once promising time on earth when it looked as if science and reason would offer a key to the future. During the period many call the Age of Enlightenment, it was possible to envision a world wherein humankind itself might acquire understanding of nature, gain insight into humanity, make meaning of life, and work for a better and brighter future for all.
