Conquering fear is connected with the analogy of a saddle. In the Buddhist teachings we talk about developing such a good sense of mental balance that, if you become mindless, your awareness automatically brings you back, just as in the process of skidding on the ice and losing your balance, your body automatically rebalances itself to keep from falling. In the saddle, as long as you have good posture and a good seat, you can overcome any startling or unexpected moves your horse makes. So the idea of the saddle is having a good seat in your life.

From “Unconditional Fearlessness,” in Smile at Fear: Awakening the True Heart of Bravery, p 72.

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