Find out How Not To Be Afraid on the Church Times podcast
We live in a time where we seem more afraid than ever. The rise of populism, polarization and aggression in politics, the media and popular culture, and the climate crisis have coincided with the collapse of previously cherished norms and expectations about economic stability, community life, and even the future of the planet. And all this before the pandemic struck. No wonder we are overwhelmed by anxiety.
Popular speaker, storyteller and activist Gareth Higgins exposes the root causes of fear and shows how we can break its power through life-giving stories, simple spiritual exercises and practical steps to take as individuals and communities.
He contends that it's time to tell ourselves new stories about the world in which we live, stories that will liberate the greater forces of love, courage and joy.
Reflecting on his experience of growing up during the Troubles in Ireland, he shares authentic wisdom that can enable us not only to find calm in the storm, but even to calm the storm itself.
Gareth Higgins, Kathleen Norris
Gareth Higgins worked in reconciliation in Northern Ireland before moving to the US, where he was founding director of the Wild Goose Festival. Formerly a contributing editor of Sojourners magazine, he edits the online magazine, The Porch and leads retreats, festivals, and creative convenings in the US, UK, and Ireland. www.garethhiggins.net
'I'm so happy this beautiful book is here - the blessings at the end alone are worth the price of the whole book. I predict with some confidence that by the time you're ten pages in, you'll think, "Wow. I need this." And when you turn the last page, you'll think, "Wow. Life is good." In between those two wow's, a lot will happen in you, because Gareth Higgins has a certain rare magic as a writer and human being. It's so good that if not even one person read it beyond me, the world would be a better place. Then I think of other people reading it... If you value books by Anne Lamont, Glennon Doyle, Brene Brown, or Richard Rohr, or even if you hardly ever read a book, this book will touch you and help you overcome fear, live with courage and creativity, and find meaning on this frightened planet.' -- Brian D. McLaren, author of Faith After Doubt 'In a world in which everything seems to be imploding around us, I don't find it particularly realistic or helpful to be told by spiritual leaders how I should really be transcending fear. But I totally trust Gareth Higgins when we writes about his own fear and how it's actually possible to transform it into something powerful, something capable of healing us and the world.' -- Nadia Bolz-Weber 'It is easy to say "Do not be afraid" but it is difficult to live it. In this book, Gareth Higgins brings us on a journey from fear to courage, from being afraid to not staying afraid, from defensiveness to an imagination about what justice might look like in private and public. Gareth Higgins is a friend. This book is too.' -- Padraig O Tuama 'Through his brilliance as a storyteller, Gareth Higgins has allowed us simple but deep insights into the possibility to manage the perpetual dis-ease of the debilitating emotion of fear. By bearing his soul-exhausting experience with fear he allows us to take our own hero's journey to find our way through.' -- Dr. James McLeary, former CEO of Inside Circle Foundation and Executive Producer of the award winning documentary The Work 'Gareth spent years feeling trapped in fear, but you wouldn't guess that about him now. He has worked out an escape route from fear, and he was kind enough to write down each turn along the journey. This practical book makes it a lot easier for each of us to find a way to not be afraid.' -- David Wilcox, singer-songwriter