Fear
In learning how to become a better human being, one of the major things we must learn to face, if we are to grow, is our fears.
Some say it is important to face your fear. I think it is better to first assess the nature of the fear, to know its source. The goal is to determine the best way to overcome it. For example, some fears come from actual traumas: damage to the mind, the body, the heart. Different traumas require different procedures. Also, how long the fear has been around will direct us to how long it will take to heal, and the sequence of events necessary to deal effectively with it.
Folktales from around the world, all have a character known in various forms as the demon. This demon enslaves and controls those who have bound themselves to it. A demon becomes tethered to an individual by through calling on it (purposely or by accident), making a pact with it, or being cursed by an outside agent. But by learning the name of the demon (Rumpelstiltskin is a good example) the bondage is broken and the individual can escape.
By naming the demon we name the fear. You can’t take the next step until you can articulate specifically the name of the fear. It does not help to say, “I’m claustrophobic” because that’s just an easy label. To admit that you are afraid of enclosed spaces that are painted green is clearer and precise. By narrowing down and clarifying the parameters of the fear, we can begin to uncover its origin. The better we know the source, the more efficient we can be.
Naming the fear unlocks the cell. This does not mean we are free, yet. We still have to get out of the dungeon, past the guards, over the moat, and into the woods without being recaptured. Or shot. The escape requires intelligent strategy.
If the trauma was to the body, then pin-pointing the specific area of damage is the first step. The body often remembers better than our overworked brain. The various modalities should be considered that would best deal with either bypassing the pain, removing the pain, or finding a new way to deal with it. A professional counsellor or therapist has these tools available, and should be consulted. Massage might be the first order of business to help relieve or relive the original event.
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