Fear! The Most Misunderstood Feeling Part 2

By Vedam Clementi

Fear is the most misunderstood feeling you will experience in your lifetime. It is also the most debilitating emotion that will ever pass through your body. It can stop you in your tracks, it can confuse you, it can make you act like a fool, and it can even paralyze you.

In Part One, I discussed fear being one of the five feelings a person experiences within their lifetime. Fear, like every feeling tells you about yourself, and the relationship you are having with any given moment or situation. Fear does not need to be feared but rather understood, and then responded to with Awareness. (If you missed part one, you can find it at Fear! The Most Misunderstood Feeling Part 1).

Fear: the Psyche/Somatic Dance

Fear is part of a psyche/somatic dance that take place between the mind and the body. Fear begins as a thought, and that thought creates a feeling felt in the body. It is quite normal and natural; however, some people begin to become involved with the sensations moving through their bodies, and become more focused on the sensations rather than paying attention to the message behind the fear. As the message arises, the body begins to produce hormones like adrenaline to support you through the situation. Adrenaline is produced to help you go ‘above and beyond’ your normal capabilities. This hormone can upset the stomach. Many times, people believe the stomach is upset because of the fear, and become engaged with that, further losing sight of the message behind the fear. This is another reason to do your best to remain in your Awareness during the fear, so you can move through the fear with as much grace and ease as possible, and understand its true purpose. It is worth noting here that the production of this hormone is normal and natural; however, it is not natural or healthy for the body to live in a persistent state of producing or processing adrenaline for long periods of time. It is much like too much current running through something that is not designed to process that much current. It will burn it out or blow it up. It does the same things to you physically when you are predominantly living in a state of fear.

Living in a predominant state of fear is not as uncommon as you may think. It may not be called fear, but it is. It may be called worry, panic, agitation, distress, unease, angst, apprehension, protectiveness, caution, nervousness, or anxiety; however, it is still fear. It may show up as an attempt to control situations or things, or it may show up as one of the millions of neuroses advertised in the world of psychoanalysis. Transient moments of fear are normal and natural; however, living in a predominate state of fear is harmful to you emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. You were not born to live this way, but many of us were taught to live this way. Ultimately, it is a choice to live predominately afraid.

What, if anything, does fear have to do with the Now?

Well, not much! Remember, fear is about the future. It may be a far away future, or it may be a future that is right around the corner, but future none the less. When you realize you are feeling fear, get in your Awareness. There will be insights in your Awareness; insights that will support you to remove yourself from the situation if you are truly in danger, or the insight that being present to your current moment of Now is all the remedy you need.

So, what does “get in your Awareness” mean? What is “Awareness?” Awareness is the ‘Universal Knower’ that interprets, deciphers and analyzes the situation WITHOUT judgement. Everything born in nature has Awareness as a guidance system that supports them as they move through life and through life experiences. Awareness is beyond the mind, beyond thought forms, and since fear is mind based, it helps to move beyond the mind when responding to fear. Getting into your Awareness means to pause, and be in the pause long enough to respond to the situation, rather than reacting to the situation. While you are in the pause, breath deep and full breaths; get centered. This may not take you completely out of the fear; however, it is a better place to start responding to the situation. We always have choices, but sometimes we forget that. That is also compounded because of our past. The mind, or more specifically, the patterns of behavior have been established in the mind because of your past, but that past does not predetermine your present actions. You get to choose. You do not have to react the same way you have in the past. While you are in the pause, you may want to ask yourself, “What part of me would I like to have show up relating to this situation?” This will help you know how to respond to the situation. For example: do you want to see the ‘victim’ you again, or do you want to see the ‘strong’ you this time?

Practicing Solutions

Fear is not the bad guy. Fear is nothing to be afraid of, run from, attempt to avoid, and fear is never of the unknown. Now, you have some awareness about fear, and you combine that with Awareness, and you will know how to respond to fear. Fear is only one part, one aspect of our human existence, and like all things born naturally, it makes our human experience that much richer. Rather than attempting to avoid fear, or not being fearful, begin to remember what fear actually is. Begin to have Awareness around fear. Begin to be grateful for fear and its messages, and let go of the fears that keep your stuck. Begin to be grateful to the Universe for giving us such an amazing guidance system. Begin to practice being more Aware, and I bet you will see most of your fears fade into the nothingness from whence they came.

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About the Author

Vedam Clementi is a Spiritual Teacher, Life Coach, Meditation Coach, Author, and Lecturer. A full recovery from paralysis using spiritual concepts, meditation, and natural healthcare led to Vedam’s spiritual awakening and desire to share what he has learned. Vedam has taught fellow souls for over a decade to leave the past behind, plant seeds for their desired tomorrow, and to be present in each moment as they move through life. Vedam has a unique way of uniting psychological and spiritual tools that support the individual to relate to themselves, others, and life in a new way: openly, lovingly, and authentically. Learn more about Vedam by visiting www.vedamclementi.com, www.loveliveandlaugh.com and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/vedam.clementi.