Transcending Fear

[BrianSGermain 1]

The following is an excerpt from the upcoming book by Brian Germain: "Transcending Fear"


Fear is Inversely Proportional to Intelligence:

In Other Words:
“Fear makes us Stupid”

An interesting fact is brought to the surface when one compares the brain scans of someone who is relaxed and someone who is afraid. People who are in a state of fear have a diminished functionality of the Neo Cortex, or the “new” part of the brain. This is the part of the brain that controls higher cognitive functioning. It is what separates us from the monkeys. In short, when we become afraid, we are reversing evolution and reverting back to the mental capacity of a caveman.

When we become afraid, the old brain seizes control, and does the things that have saved our species in the distant past. This ancient response will cause one of the three simple behaviors previously described: resisting, running away, or locking up. If one of these three turns out to be the correct response, we are in business. We will then increase the likelihood that we will select this coping mechanism again in the future. Most of the time however, acting on impulse just makes things worse. Correct action is what is necessary. As in chess, every move may be our last. We must consider our steps wisely. Momentum without consideration is how we get ourselves into trouble.

The ironic thing is, most people believe that a certain amount of fear is good for them. I will agree that this is true when our emotional response causes us to avoid doing something ridiculously dangerous; beyond what our skill and knowledge can save us from. If we choose not to go for the summit of a mountain because of a bad feeling about the weather, the choice may save our lives. Our physiological reaction is what causes us to reconsider the safety of the situation. This function of fear is essential for survival. We must learn how to listen to our bodies so that we may avoid getting in over our heads.

Once we are in the situation and things are moving, there is no room for fear. Extraneous thought that is focused on worrying about things that are not here and now only serve to take our attention away from the actual current state of affairs. Survival happens in the now. We must remain focused on the unfolding events, and make our best decisions using our full attention and our complete intelligence. Staying cool in a crisis is the only way to increase the likelihood that we will act in an appropriate manner. The only way to make important decisions is to be act with a clear head that is thinking forward toward solutions, rather than simply avoiding problems. Once life is flowing, fear is the enemy.

For more information about Transcending Fear, go to: www.TransFear.com
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Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com
Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com
Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

[airtwardo 7]

And training conditions the response?

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[SwampThing 0]

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And training conditions the response?

***

Different types of repetitive training may, you can / should train for the right response to a given known situation. And you train yourself NOT to react to a fear situation by 'locking up'.

The Pessimist says: "It can't possibly get any worse!"
The Optimist says: "Sure it can!"

[BrianSGermain 1]

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And training conditions the response?

Yes. Training works on our "learned instincts". It cultivates our contextual responses, so we are able to perform specific coping machanisms rather than the old "fight, flight or freeze" behaviors. When you cutaway and pull your reserve, you are acting on these learned instincts, behaviors that have been pounded into your consciousness through repetition.

We need training in the specific responses. More that just that, however, we need to develop the emotional intelligence to keep our bodies from betraying us. When we go into a state of panic, we are reduced to only our instincts. We have no other choices. Survival is about thinking our way through a situation, and the only way to do that is to remain cool.
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Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com
Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com
Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

[MarkM 0]

One of the things I appreciated about your other book and from a seminar you did once at SOBE is that you focus on the mental state of the jumper and not just the physical reactions that lead to success. It's hard to do the right thing, when your mind's primal survival instincts can be your worst enemy.

Looking forward to your new book.

[DrewGPM 0]

Hi Brian,

You forgot the fourth response that we learned about the SDC Spring Expo. That teacher told that funny story at dinner friday night. It's "fight, flight, freeze or pee". I'd hate to be in that kids shoes!

I see you went with a tag line. "The Path to Freedom"...i like it. I still like "Moving in the General Direction of Up". That just sounds cool! Glad to see you put in the dedication.

Either way, i'm buying a copy. Now I just hope I remember how to read! It's been a while since i read a book.

[murps2000 86]

Fear is Inversely Proportional to Intelligence:

In Other Words:
“Fear makes us Stupid”***


I know you watched the movies; you even quote Anthony Hopkins from "The Edge" in your last book. Remember Frank Herbert's "DUNE"?

"Fear is the mind killer" -- Paul Atreides

[DrewGPM 0]

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I know you watched the movies; you even quote Anthony Hopkins from "The Edge" in your last book. Remember Frank Herbert's "DUNE"?

"Fear is the mind killer" -- Paul Atreides

Did you check out the sample of the book? Specifically, page 10. http://www.bigairsportz.com/pdf/sample-trans_fear.pdf

[Griff69 0]

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Did you check out the sample of the book? Specifically, page 10. http://www.bigairsportz.com/pdf/sample-trans_fear.pdf

"And when it has gone I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where fear has gone, only I will remain"

Chris

"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is two wolves attempting to have a sheep for dinner and finding a well-informed, well-armed sheep."

[SkydivingNurse 0]

Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.
Greatest book ever written.

[Tonto 1]

I'm with you 100% on this.

I see the same thing in Martial arts with those who beleive that fear or anger can enhance one's performance. That's rubbish.

When I was in the military I was taught "The more scared you get, the smaller your brain gets."

What I don't like about the way some people are taught is the "drill" response. I feel this simply replaces one set move with another set move. It's this that makes malfunctions like horseshoes and PC's in tow, or wraps and entanglements so difficult to teach. The variables in these conditions are too great to "just do it" and require us to asses the situation and respond with a well thought out, rational response.

Of course, when you're teaching a group and have a few hours to get the info across - there are few alternatives.

Personally, I think that too many people pass the 1st jump course.
Not everyone gets a drivers licence 1st time. Not everyone graduates from University. Why do 99% of students pass the 1st jump course?
Is it because many Instructors think "It'll probably be OK." because it usually is?

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[EricaH 0]

Love it! I completely believe this as well.

One simple (though silly) illustration that caused my mind to switch on is this:

some TV show had a group of relatively taim people hanging out on a water tower. an outsider came up & was a crazy woman - always taking risks. Well, she held onto the arms of the ladder atop the tower & was swinging back & forth (sorry I can't draw the picture better). Anyway, in reality they were on a sound stage & the actress was prob at most 3 ft off the floor. However if her brain didn't become afraid & cause her to do stupid stuff; the action could have been pulled off just a smoothly on a real water tower perhaps 100s of ft in the air. A big acress would prob not take the real risk; but is willing to portray it close to the ground.
It was at that moment I decided fear really does me no good. If anything; it can kill you. But then from my crazy driving habits I've always said "hesitate & die".

There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear.

PMS #227 (just like the TV show)

[Orange1 0]

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Personally, I think that too many people pass the 1st jump course.
Not everyone gets a drivers licence 1st time. Not everyone graduates from University. Why do 99% of students pass the 1st jump course?

This perhaps should be a different thread, but this is also something I've wondered about. Then again, you can't always judge from the course itself - wasn't it you who posted that case where you had an AFF student who seemed to be completely on top of things and your other AFFI had to pull for him?

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.