This is a short story from “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chodron, as narrated by by Chris Goto Jones in the course De-Mystifying Mindfulness.
“Once, there was a young warrior. Her teacher told her that she had to do battle with fear. She didn’t want to do that. Fear seemed too aggressive. It was scary. It seemed unfriendly. But the teacher said she had to do it and gave her the instructions for the battle. The day arrived. The student warrior stood on one side and fear stood on the other. The warrior was feeling very small and fear was looking big and wrathful. They both had their weapons ready. The young warrior aroused herself and went toward fear and she asked, “May I have permission to go into battle with you?” Fear said, “Thank you for showing me so much respect that you ask permission.” Then the young warrior said, “How can I defeat you?” Fear replied, “My weapons are, I talk very fast and I get very close to your face. If you don’t do what I tell you, I have no power. You can listen to me. You can have respect for me. You can even be convinced by me. But if you do not do what I say, then I have no power.” In that way, the student warrior learned how to defeat fear.”