Things I wonder

[pjthompson]

How do you tell the difference between a deep, instinctual, intuitive knowing and a deep, instinctual, obstructionist fear? That's what I want to know.

Because one thing I do know: the difference is crucial, and acting on them is even crucialer.

Comments

[makoiyi.livejournal.com]

I think you can push through the latter. The only example I can give perhaps is when I am faced with a particularly nutty horse and yet I *know* deep down that his/her reactions are through fear and if I can persuade them that there *is* nothing to fear I can push through my own doubts. Because I know. It's scary as hell because said horse can be a thousand pounds or more but I know I can get past the fear and show them an alternative. Doesn't mean to say I am not shaking in my boots in the beginning. But I know I can do it and when the two come together, my fear, their fear and we understand one another, then the fear goes.

[pjthompson]

That's very true and I understand that, pushing through the fear. But what I can figure is if my "instinct" telling me "Don't do such-and-such" is truly an instinct, or if it's my fear trying to keep me back. Because if I act against my instincts I usually get myself in trouble, but when you can't tell the difference...?

[makoiyi.livejournal.com]

I think you can. I'm using the horse examples because that is what I know and understand. One's instinct for self-preservation - okay, get in the vehicle, it's -30, the roads are slick and you know touching the breaks will send you into a 360, but, your kid just put cement dust in his eyes (this happened) and if you don't get it washed out pdq he could be sight impaired for life. I tell you, you drive like a race car driver. Instinct is, there is black ice, I shouldn't, but the fear of something worse makes you go through it? Your foot vibrates on the damned pedal, but you go *through* when instinct says, don't because there is something more at stake.

Now. I live in Canada, if I was faced with a grizzly every bloody instinct in the book would say run but they tell us, you have to read the circumstances even when you are in panic mode. Do you run, play starfish, talk, or be aggressive? My instinct there would be to play dead (starfish), to send vibes off that, I am not tasty etc. I'd be shitting my pants mind you and that's honest.

How can you tell when you should follow instincts and when not? I don't think you can until you are faced with a certain circumstance and *if* you have prior knowledge. Knowledge IMHO is the key.

[pjthompson]

Thanks.

[wldhrsjen3.livejournal.com]

I wish I knew, because man... I can think of several instances where I got it wrong. And now I've gotten to the point where I let fear dictate too much, I think, because I can't tell when it's just fear and when it's instinctive preservation. :/

Good luck... and when you figure it out, do share the secret. :}

[pjthompson]

Yeah, that's the agonizing part. I suppose if I could sit down and meditate in some format and ask myself, by degrees, "What do you want?" I might be able to layer down to the real answer. I used to do this, but I've gotten out of the habit. I think I need to start again—for many reasons. This may be a good use of my Christmas break.

[helios137.livejournal.com]

For me, the "knowing" transcends time and space and the "fear" is not.

This probably will be useless to help you, but it can't hurt:

"The Bene Gesserit Littainy against Fear."
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

[pjthompson]

Thanks. The Bene Gesserit Litany is helpful when I can identify that it is, indeed, fear that is talking to me. But sometimes intuitive knowing and subtle/sly fear are hard to distinguish. The only thing for it, I suppose, is to wait until I can find some quiet time and go deeper and see what echoes in the hollow space. :-)

[helios137.livejournal.com]

I am confident that you will know what to do.

[pjthompson]

Thanks! I wish I was. :-)

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

knowing is supported by evidence. Fear is supported by communists. Always ask yourself, would a communist support this? If the answer is yes, then you know it's fear.

I'm sorry, I may have gotten a little off track.

[pjthompson]

I'm sorry, I may have gotten a little off track.

Maybe a tetch—but it was entertaining.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I think the only difference is whether or not you let it stop you. If you do, it's fear.

[pjthompson]

If I let it stop me permanently, yes. But stopping isn't always bad. I've just posted something on this.