Critical Thinking: Do Our Fears Always Reflect Reality?

If someone was to walk down a dark alley way and heard people running towards them, it could be said that it would be normal for them to experience fear. For one thing, they won’t know why these people are running towards them, with this being the reason why their body is getting them ready to fight, to run away, or even to freeze.

A Big Factor

But while this can be seen as a normal way to behave, what would have played a part here was the conclusion that their mind came to. They would have heard something and their mind would have done the rest.

If they were to hear the same thing during the day, they might act in a completely different manner. The reason for this is that they would be able to see who was running towards them, and if they were to do this, they might see that it is just a load of school children, for instance, and realise that they have nothing to worry about.

The Sensible Approach

It would then be easy to say that it would be far better for someone to stay calm if they hear something like this at night, as it could just their mind playing tricks. Even so, there will be way for them to know for certain, so it will be better for them to be prepared.

Not only this, but there is probably a greater chance that something bad will happen at this time of the day. Ultimately, experiencing fear during a time like this is not going to be something for them to worry about; it’s unlikely to be a sign that they have a problem with their mind.

A Way of Life

Now, if someone was to always be in a state of fear, it would show that something isn’t right. They are either going to be in an environment that is extremely dangerous, or they will be on edge for no apparent reason.

When it relates to the former, it is going to be vital for them to do everything they can to change their environment. This could be a sign that one is in an abusive relationship or they could live in a country that is not safe.

The Reality

If one has an abusive partner, they might have been hit on a number of occasions. It is then going to be a challenge for them to relax and to be in their body; they will feel the need to be alert at all times.

On the other hand, if one lives in a war zone, they might have seen plenty of people being killed. It could be far worse though, as they might have had friends and family who were attacked and even killed.

Out of Touch

When it relates to the latter, they will need to look into what is taking place within them and to find out why they are so full of fear. Once they have found out about what is going on, they will be able to look into what they can do to change their life.

This is not to say that this is something that will happen overnight, though, as it could take a little while. One could find out that they are carrying trauma as well as faulty beliefs, which is why they spend so much time being in fear mode.

In The Middle

Yet, it is not always going to be this black and white, as someone can experience fear from time to time as a result of what they believe. What they project onto the external world will be the reason why they experience fear, as opposed to what is actually taking place externally.

This is naturally going to be what happens when one is carrying trauma and faulty beliefs, but here one is not going to have a body that is full of trauma. Looking into what they believe and changing these beliefs is going to be the key.

Another Experience

However, although someone can become aware of what is taking place if they have the tendency to be on edge or feel this way from time to time due to having faulty beliefs, they could also continue to experience life in the same way. Therefore, if one has the tendency to be on edge, it might not matter how safe their environment is as they won’t be able to feel at peace.

On the inside, they will be in a bad way, and this is going to stop them from being able to be in the present moment. One can then live in an area that is relatively peaceful, but it can be as though they live in a warzone.

The Reason

What this could show is that one has experienced trauma in their adult life and/or it could go back to what happened when they were younger. Perhaps they were physically abused as a child, for instance.

During this time, they would have felt as though they had no control over their life, and this is going to be how they experience life as an adult. The years will have passed but what is taking place within them will be the same.

Conditioning

When one has faulty beliefs, and these beliefs will cause them to experience fear at certain times in their life, it could be the result of what they have been told as an adult and what happened when they were younger. Again, one won’t be able to be in the present moment; they will be caught up in what it taking place within them.

If they are with a friend when this happens and their friend doesn’t have the same belief/s as they do, they will both have a very different experience. One will feel uncomfortable, yet their friend will feel at ease.
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Awareness

This shows how much of an effect one’s inner world has on how they experience the outer world. External support may be needed when it comes to dealing with trauma and/or faulty beliefs, and this support can be provided by a therapist or a healer.