In his book Dune, Frank Herbert writes of something called “The Litany Against Fear,” a pseudo-religious text from a society called the “Bene Gesserit.” The main character recites this litany in his head when confronted with intense pain. This concept came to mind as I encountered pain while receiving tattoos and this song flowed out soon after.
“Drag your claws across my skin
Help me forget again
The tracks you leave are black with memory
And all that I see is fear passing through me
I will follow
And I will find
All that remains
Is ‘I’”
“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.”
- Frank Herbert, Dune