Fear is something most people complain about. It’s more than a complaint, it’s a fear of fear itself. It’s as if fear is a monster that threatens to destroy us or overwhelm us or create havoc in our lives. But what is this thing called fear?
HOLD THE LINE
CAN YOU BE GENTLE IN THE MIDST OF REACTIVITY?
We are hardwired physiologically to be on alert. This is a necessary protection for the physical vehicle. When we are in a dark alley and we sense someone following us, our nervous system is highly attuned to the possibility of fighting the stalker or running away. Or when we are walking across the road and a car doesn’t slow down, we are primed to react quickly to get out of the way.
But we need to differentiate this functional alertness from psychological reactivity — which is an emotional response that has nothing to do with biological survival.
