Retaining courage during mediation Everyone in this little community is awesome, and the people contributing have helped me in the path tremendously. Thank you.

My question is this, how can a person remain calm and courageous during sessions? When meditating, I've been reaching very intense states that become hard to handle. I've been getting the sensation that I am melting into this state of pure love. I get scared because it's just so unbelievably intense, and feel that the fear that arises is a hindrance. Have any of you experienced this? If so, what did you change that allowed you to handle it?
The fear is instinctual (due to the ego fading/dissolving/melting somewhat). This instinctual fear can only be endured with composure &amp; with the full acknowledgment it will pass. After the mind has experienced the impermanence of the fear a few times and is fully confident the fear will pass, the fear will no longer be a hindrance because it will be easily passed through.  

If the mind thinks about/rationalizes the fear too much, the concentration will be lost. You have answered your own question, since the only real method is composure &amp; courage. 

From the Pali suttas: 


  What if I, in whatever state I'm in when fear &amp; terror come to me, were to subdue that fear &amp; terror in that very state?' So when fear &amp;
  terror came to me while I was walking back &amp; forth, I would not stand
  or sit or lie down. I would keep walking back &amp; forth until I had
  subdued that fear &amp; terror. When fear &amp; terror came to me while I was
  standing, I would not walk or sit or lie down. I would keep standing
  until I had subdued that fear &amp; terror. When fear &amp; terror came to me
  while I was sitting, I would not lie down or stand up or walk. I would
  keep sitting until I had subdued that fear &amp; terror. When fear &amp;
  terror came to me while I was lying down, I would not sit up or stand
  or walk. I would keep lying down until I had subdued that fear &amp;
  terror.
  
  Bhaya-bherava Sutta: Fear &amp; Terror