AUTHOR: Motivational, inspirational, and spiritual; self-help instructor C. Om specializes in teaching real people how to eliminate stress and suffering from their lives. To get instant access to his powerful and yet simple solutions for a great and rewarding life right now, regardless of your life situation, visit: the daily blog What Is Really Good?
Fear, pain, and stress are almost synonymous. They are all resistance to what reality is right now. They are all ways for us to interpret the experience we are having in that moment as something that should not be. They are all defensive modes of being that are actually there to protect us. Think about it yourself. Don't take my word for it.
Think about you own experience of fear. What is it really? What does it come from? What is the relationship with pain? What is the relationship to stress?
Here is an excerpt from my book, "What Is Really Good?" on the topic:
The root of all stress is fear. Of course fear is a survival instinct. It is imprinted on the design of your ego (your sense of 'I') to motivate you to take protective action.
This is true for both physical and mental stress. Physical stress is
physical pain; subtle or blatant. It is a signal that something is wrong and to remove yourself from the situation. Mental stress is mental pain; subtle or blatant. It is a signal that the situation does not meet the ego's definition of well being. In both cases fear is the motivating factor that brings the signal of stress/pain.
Physical fear is always short lived and only comes from a direct physical threat. Mental fear is the real issue. It is at times mistaken for physical fear and it is actually over 99% of the fear you experience. The fear produced by your mind attempting to keep the ego and its many identifications in a state of well being is produced at disproportionate and dysfunctional levels.
Fear is supposed to keep us safe. Problem is, it has gone way past doing for us what it does for the animals. A wild animal gets scared; they fight or take flight. Then it is complete. A person fears about the future and stresses about the past. A person holds on to fear like a ball and chain.
Ironically, the fact that the animal doesn't hold on to the fear after the cause of it, is the same reason that we are so much more advanced. Their minds can not hold the ideas and concepts that ours can. As a result, their egos can not identify with ideas as ours can. Their only sense of identity is their physical selves and maybe offspring. Our egoic identity spreads as far as our concepts and ideas can take us. My stuff, my money, my house, my country, my business, etc. Our fear is magnified by the identifications.
To live without fear; live without stress; and minimize all physical pain is not as far off as you might think. As a matter of fact, you hold the key right now. It just needs some attention.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Chest Pain: Stress Could Be The Culprit!
- How to Use the Breath to Transform Pain, Stress and Anxiety
- Causes of Chest Pain - Chest Pain Stress
- Relieve Pain, Stress And Tension With A Massage Chair
- How Hot Tub bath helps relieve Pain, Stress and Tension
- A Massage Chair for Every Pain, Stress or Tension
- Studies Of Stress Related Back Pain
- Did you Know Stress Can Contribute to your Joint Pains?
Gratitude When Life’s a Train Wreck?
By: S.James Webb, D.D. | 08/12/2009If you or your loved one is battling a serious, even terminal disease, if you’ve lost your job or even your home, if your marriage or long-term relationship is in serious trouble or over… Sometimes life can be just plain hell, and I’m not going to sugar-coat it. But you still have a choice. You always have a choice.
A Way To Identify With And Manage Anxiety
By: Louis Simons | 07/12/2009This article contains information about how to deal with stress. There's also information about symptoms and treatment of anxiety. Fear is part of life for all. There are several paths to address the numerous reasons for stress.
The Distinction Between Blame And Responsibility
By: TB Wright | 07/12/2009What happens in our lives when we make the incredibly important distinction between blame and responsibility? All manner of incredible manifestations of our good, that's what! Find out just how to live out this distinction!
Powerful methods to reduce stress
By: Nawaz | 06/12/2009Learn powerful tips for people of all ages to cope with stress!
All You Need to Know About Stress, Almost
By: mush panjwani | 05/12/2009We are all affected by stress at some level or another, though we don’t like to admit it. Stress can be positive when it helps you achieve your goals, or implement a change in your lifestyle. But it’s obviously negative when it results in anxiety, depression and illness. This article can help you identify, prevent and deal with stress.
No Pain No Gain
By: TB Wright | 02/12/2009What legacies were you handed down from your family? Do they work to improve or impede your life? Find out how you can adopt a new legacy, one that leads to both joy, and success!
Dealing With Stressors In The Workplace
By: Gregory Ellis | 02/12/2009Someone said that stress is the poison of human life. Now, more than ever, this rings true for most people. They cannot carry easily and well today’s duties and work responsibilities if they pile anxiety and stress concerning other plans on top of them. But as accepted in society, stress and anxiety are facts of modern life. Despite the technological and medical advancements, people still feel the pressure to keep up. With the endless pressures and demands on one’s time, getting stressed ou
Foods to Help You Lose Weight
By: Johnnie Mckee | 02/12/2009Wouldn't it be nice if every pound of chocolate you ate would make you lose a pound of flab? Well, perhaps chocolate won't do the trick, but new research is showing that there are certain foods that can help make you thin and actually can help you drop pounds. It's easy and long term weight lose.||} "A pound of carrots will fill you up, with only a smattering of calories -- or you can have a pound of cheeseburger, and you'll gain weight faster than you can jump on a scal...
The Illusion of Opposites
By: C. Om | 09/01/2009 | SpiritualityYou've heard that opposites attract. You've probably also heard that like attracts like. So which one is it? It can't be both. Can it? Actually it is both. The reason why is because the concept of opposites is an illusion. Find out how and why.
Life - to Appreciate or Depreciate?
By: C. Om | 03/01/2009 | MotivationalIt's a lot easier to get the most out of life when you have the right perspective. See for yourself what it is to appreciate life while everyone else is caught in the illusion of doom and gloom.
You're the Best!
By: C. Om | 03/01/2009 | MotivationalYou are unique. You are the best. Ever wonder why you feel special? Gain some great insight on yourself!
Why so Serious?
By: C. Om | 03/01/2009 | Stress ManagementA good look at what causes people to be on edge. Learn how to eliminate stress and not take life so seriously.
You Scared? Have No Fear
By: C. Om | 03/01/2009 | Stress ManagementAn analysis of what causes fear and stress. Once the cause is discovered, eliminating fear and stress altogether is much easier to accomplish. Live with no fear. Live with no stress.
Are You Exactly Where You Should Be?
By: C. Om | 03/01/2009 | MotivationalFeeling a little stressed out about not being where you should be in life? Not to worry. This article is sure to put things in perspective for you.
The Tape is Always Rolling
By: C. Om | 03/01/2009 | SpiritualityA good look at how life really works. People are always happier and more successful at life when they can see what is always true about themselves and use it. Ever notice how life is always on? No matter how you feel; it is always moving. If your reality was a movie; the tape would always be rolling.