One of the most powerful experiences I’ve had in transforming fear into Love happened in both the dream world and waking life.
It began a few years ago while I was sleeping beside my partner.
I woke to the sound of him thrashing in the sheets, his breath rapid and panicked.
“Uh! Uh!” he gasped, flailing in the air.
“What’s happening?” I asked gently, placing a hand on him.
“There’s someone here,” he whispered, still shaken. “They’re dark. I think I made him go away.”
I could feel his heart pounding as I pulled him close and cradled him in my arms.
“It’s okay,” I said softly. “It’s over now. Let’s go back to sleep.”
We settled in again, and as soon as I drifted off, I entered a vivid dream.
It was nighttime. I was at a gas station when I noticed a large, dark figure approaching me.
In an instant, he had pinned me to the ground.
His face hovered inches from mine, radiating a threatening energy.
I could feel his intention to do me harm.
But something inside me rose up—not fear, but Love.
I looked straight into his eyes and began repeating, “I love you. I love you. I love you…”
I must have been speaking out loud, because my partner stirred beside me and asked, “What’s happening?”
Still dreaming, I continued to speak to the man with absolute clarity and compassion. “I love you,” I repeated.
And then, I saw a tear slip from the corner of his eye.
“I love you,” I said once more, with unwavering presence.
And just like that—he transformed.
In a flash, the dark man dissolved, revealing a spectacular Being of pure light.
His eyes shone like beacons.
His hair sparkled.
His garments shimmered with an iridescent glow.
He radiated Divine presence.
Stunned, I exclaimed, “Dang! I just transmuted my fear into Love!”
On another occasion, I experienced a strikingly similar moment—this time in waking life.
I was standing on the corner of 7th and Congress in downtown Austin, holding a “Free Hugs” sign with my tall friend Ed.
It was midday, and the streets were bustling.
I was smiling wide, ready to offer hugs to strangers, when I saw a homeless man—clearly under the influence—crossing the street, heading straight toward me.
I didn’t look away. I met his gaze with open-hearted compassion, no fear.
He dropped his bag and started yelling, “WHERE IS GOD?!”
I gently held my arms open.
“WHERE IS GOD?!” he shouted again, louder.
Still, I stood calm and centered.
He stepped closer, until we were toe-to-toe, forehead-to-forehead, eyes locked.
He lifted a strand of my hair and hissed, “If you’re God, how many strands of hair is this? What is the composition of this hair?”
Looking into his soul, I answered quietly but clearly, “You are loved.”
“You are loved,” I repeated with deep sincerity.
A huge crocodile tear welled in his eye and slid down his cheek.
He stepped back. I stepped forward and gently placed my hand on his heart.
“It’s okay. You are loved,” I said again, tears now streaming from my own eyes.
He stepped back once more, walked around me, picked up his pack, and wandered away.
Ed, who had witnessed the entire encounter from my side, turned to me with concern. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I AM,” I said, meeting his eyes. “That man just needed a little Love. And he knew exactly where to go to find it.”