Comments on: Fearlessness Leads to Criminal Activity

By: @32000days

@32000days — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:06:19 +0000

The title of this article is a bit sensational and not exactly in line with the otherwise good content.

As you pointed out, when you want a particular outcome, but an irrational (or "mostly irrational") fear stands in the way, then you have essentially two options
(1) to "feel the fear and do it anyway", in the words of Susan Jeffers
(2) to use techniques to make the fear / phobia actually go away (e.g. psychological tools, NLP, hypnosis, meditation, etc).

In either of these cases, it doesn't sound like you're "ignoring or denying" the fear.

On the contrary,
(1) recognizing that a specific fear is present,
(2) deciding that you'd prefer not to experience that fear, and
(3) using specific techniques to mitigate or eliminate the fear,
specifically requires that you observe and acknowledge the presence of the undesirable fear in the first place.

It sure doesn't seem like you're saying that someone using such techniques repeatedly, to neutralize several different fears (i.e. grow more "fearless"), would start behaving psychopathically or antisocially. So the content about psychopathy and disorders seems a bit out of place except to justify the "scary" title
My recent post Creative destruction

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:45:56 +0000

Thanks for this Duff — I get concerned as well when I see people saying things like “overcome your fear” or “kill your fear” — as if the fear is unacceptable and should be ignored or repressed. As I think you’re saying here, developing the ability to choose what to do when the fear is coming up — as opposed to automatically fighting it or fleeing from it — is a more difficult, but ultimately a healthier and more compassionate, way to relate to it.

By: Edward

Edward — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:15:47 +0000

I think only when we acknowledge the reality that the fear is grounded in, can we let go of the fear. We need to address that reality. Then we can move on. My recent post Mindfulness Approach To Pain

By: Gina

Gina — Thu, 20 May 2010 06:03:51 +0000

Great post Duff!
Another reason to teach parents about good nutrition (real nutrition, not the food pyramid) starting with breastfeeding.
Good to have you back writing
Aloha!

By: Duff McDuffee

Duff McDuffee — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:41:38 +0000

"They may make bankers in later life." –> that explains a lot!

By: @stephenlark

@stephenlark — Tue, 18 May 2010 23:49:27 +0000

Also apparently lying children will grow up to be successful citizens - at least according to a copied-and-pasted press release from a university...

By: Duff McDuffee

Duff McDuffee — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:13:11 +0000

A good point Mark. When choosing a deeper path, working with the fear becomes "worth it."

By: Duff McDuffee

Duff McDuffee — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:12:36 +0000

Yes, well put Chris. Developing choice instead of habitual automatic fight or flight reaction.

By: Chris Edgar

Chris Edgar — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:06:14 +0000

Thanks for this Duff — I get concerned as well when I see people saying things like "overcome your fear" or "kill your fear" — as if the fear is unacceptable and should be ignored or repressed. As I think you're saying here, developing the ability to choose what to do when the fear is coming up — as opposed to automatically fighting it or fleeing from it — is a more difficult, but ultimately a healthier and more compassionate, way to relate to it.

By: DesireEngine

DesireEngine — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:03:55 +0000

Hi Duff,

Enjoyable post. I'm going to attempt an uncharacteristically brief (for me) response and suggest that where those of us who CURRENTLY EXPERIENCE fear may want to go is not "fearlessness," but instead a focus in a direction which is so emotionally engaging, and so filled with desire, that it helps one listen and work with any existing fear, hear it, and then choose a direction which will hold hopes of more expansion, freedom, and even bliss.

Personally, when I talk about fearless, I don't mean that I don't feel fear; I mean that my being and concentration are focused in a direction that is powerful and Self-connecting, and therefore is relinquishing fear to what I consider it's positive role: filtering out true desire from fantasy; honing intention from mere wishes; sending me important information that I may consider and use; but not gripping my frontal lobes in a vice that hobbles reason and higher brain-function.

A tricky subject, for sure, and I completely agree that our treatment of fear both as a topic and as an emotional response benefits from careful consideration.

As an aside, but perhaps worth mentioning here: rather interesting how are handling of fear, and our perception of it, is influenced by a transformational experience.

Best to you…

Mark