Fear is the only instinct
with the power to immobilise.
It is no surprise then that the psoas plays an important role in this
reflex;
the psoas is perhaps where the reflex gets its power to literally stop a
person in their tracks.
(Liz Koch)
The reptile brain
Fear occurs when you feel to be in danger.
It is a
natural response to a perceived threat and serves to keep you alive.
The most primitive part of the human brain has been labelled as the 'reptile brain'.
It
is believed to be responsible for the fight-or-flight reflex.
The fight-or-flight reflex causes the muscles to contract in order to
protect the body from harm.
The psoas muscle deep within the body is linked to fear. It seeks to curl
the body into a ball when danger occurs.
Dynamic Balancing Tai Chi aims to lengthen the
psoas and train the student to remain
calm when a crisis occurs.
Fear
in perspective
We respond to certain threats in a healthy manner and this
keeps us alive.
Dark streets at night,
gangs of youths and hostile animals should create a
fight-or-flight response and this is good.
Talking with your boss should not produce fear.
People
imbue everyday situations as being more serious than they are and
their bodies become filled with chemicals intended for
survival.
Approval
The worst fear faced by most people is cultural.
The pressure to
conform is reinforced at many different levels of society.
Being individual is not widely encouraged.
Society is controlled by
business, so the prevailing psychological trends of
culture tend to be financial in origin.
If you are unorthodox, others will fear you because your behaviour does not
meet with their expectations.
Unless people are willing to be
different, there cannot be change.
Change is caused by ending the past.
The great leaps of change that have affected our world have
come about by people who were willing to try something new, knowing that it
would not meet with initial approval, if any.
Being afraid of what others may think is often a hindrance.
Providing you are sensitive to others and avoid harming anyone by your
actions, what is the problem?
People are
slow to change and reluctant to
let go of the familiar, but some things
need to change.
Courage is not about fighting people,
it is about doing what is right.
With pure heart and clear conscience your action should be a demonstration
of your integrity.
Doing what is right is an important part of taoism and
tai chi.
Gaining balance
Taoism
and
tai chi put fear in balance.
Not every situation requires fear.
When fear does occur, it is important to realise why and let it dissipate or
use it (if appropriate).
The key to handling fear is
composure:
the ability to maintain emotional calm despite the proximity of danger.
A quiet
mind is essential.
Living with fear
Consider a frog...
It sits and waits.
A fly comes near and the frog does nothing.
It sits and waits.
Then, without warning - the frog suddenly acts - it's tongue launches out
and snatches the fly.
The frog settles imperceptibly and rests; calm yet alert.
Anticipation and anxiety only hinder
action...
Animals act when they need to, rest when they can.
When threatened, they move because necessity demands it.
Fear is narrowed to a simple question: do I need to do anything?
Before the thought is formed, the answer comes of itself.
Facing your fear
Tai chi
self defence represents a commitment to
face conflict with
humour and good grace.
Standing alone in the face of hostility or adversity requires courage.
Other people may not support you or even understand.
Page created 11 July 2004