The Litany Against Fear

Tomorrow I am going to the dentist, and in all probability will need a root canal. One thing that has been helpful to me in the past in facing the medium-sized fear appropriate to the dentist’s chair is the Bene Gesserit litany against fear, from Frank Herbert’s Science Fiction blockbuster Dune. Here it is:

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.