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This CBC (Saskatchewan) interview with a young trans-queer person, is one of the best you'll hear on how it is so terrifying living in this world of (cis-) gender bias which is paranoid that some people won't conform to 'forced genderization' oppressive systems (that are 'normal'). I congratulate this person for how they talk about fear and their life and continue their sacred warriorship as an activist regardless. 

This interview was spurred on by a recent legal policy of the Saskatchewan gov't to basically 'ban' the use of trans-pronouns requirements, etc. I have not listened yet to the details of this policy, but it really makes me think of how 'backwards' the fear-based institiutions are going in this country Canada (and of course, following many such types of policies being instituted in the USA in some states). 

How would a fearlessness-based policy of gender look? Who ought to be on the committee of the deciders of gender policy and sex education in our socieities? Only the pre-decided (cis-)gendered folks who are privileged by that conformity and comfort? There is definitely a horrid injustice going on. Which is not to say that I agree with everything a queer person argues about or critiques in societies. I take issue on some things and I support the trans-communities as well for some great work they are doing against oppressive regimes of power that rack-n-ruin people's lives just because they want to live out another gender/sexuality than the stereotypic binary distinction. Let's be open-minded in our policies and decision-making, especially in school systems that impact so many youth. 

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Introduction
“Fear is not to be feared” - Michael Eneyo
Throughout the ages, fear has wielded immense influence in shaping societies. Often, fear takes the form of tales recounting the origins of phenomena and the evolution of knowledge and becomes deeply ingrained in human existence. In recent times, fear has emerged as one of humanity's most pressing challenges. This is not to suggest that there ever existed a period devoid of fear in history. Rather, we are saying that contemporary human activities tend to evoke more apprehension than in bygone eras. Although nobody desires to live in perpetual fear or be constrained by it, one should never contemplate eliminating fear from our daily experiences because that will certainly prove arduous, if not impossible. Many of our thoughts are intertwined with various forms of fear, prompting us to exercise caution and prudence in our actions. Since having fear is natural to humans, we should rather concern ourselves with attempting to unmask its secrets to rightly apply the rule of fear in our daily life experiences so we can achieve goals.
Conversely, fear can hinder us from pursuing our life goals. In our prior investigations into fear, tagged; Philosophy of Fear, we highlighted its dual nature, encompassing both positive and negative aspects. We advocated the need for every individual to discern how to overcome negative fear and embrace positive fear. This new undertaking on the mastery of fear seeks to unveil the elusive nature of fear and educate individuals on mastering it and its secrets.
From a philosophical perspective, fear represents a critical inquiry into the human condition. It is a phenomenon that pervades the entirety of human life, driving decision-making processes and influencing behaviours on both individual and societal levels. Renowned philosopher Kierkegaard suggests that fear, along with anxiety, forms the basis of human freedom, propelling individuals into conscious choices and moral responsibilities (Kierkegaard 1844). This justifies the existentialists’ view of the absurdity of human existence with his corresponding anxiety to create meaning for his meaningless life. Thus, fear becomes a tool for human freedom, only if it is positively utilised.
Undoubtedly, fear is an inherent trait in every human being as well as animals, birds, and fish. However, the intensity of fear differs among individuals and species. Several factors contribute to this variation. This book aims to unravel the enigmatic nature of fear in our lives, shed light on why some people are more prone to fear than others, and outline the steps necessary to confront our fears.
Within the discourse of Fearological Ethics, I have introduced two methods, among others, that can help us to overcome specific fears and also provide some guides on how to utilise them to achieve our dreams. These two major methods are designated to advance these guides with some sense of ethics, while other methods are also employable in some specific discourses. The two methodologies are; the Acquaintance Method and the Love-Fear Method. These methods would be used to unveil strategies that we can incorporate to better manage our fears. By the conclusion of this work, readers are anticipated to be equipped with a variety of techniques and approaches in fear studies, fostering an understanding and appreciation that fear need not be an entity to be feared. Rather, an intense love for fear studies can help humanity restructure the world and unmask the fear that engulfed it, which has almost turned the world into what I tagged "Fear Territory".

 

 

 

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FOREWORD
Michael Bassey Eneyo is becoming a name associated with the Philosophy of fear. He has worked himself respectably into the hallowed horizon of the concept of fear. He has done a lot of work in the area of the Philosophy of fear aptly tagged “fearology”. Fearology, for me, is the scientific and philosophical study of fear. Eneyo has carried this analytical investigation into the entrails of fear such that the results are thrilling, fascinating, revealing, enthralling, informative and amazing.
The concept of fear is always seen from the point of view of what is dreaded. We now know better that the concept of fear can be studied philosophically, sociologically, economically, politically, psychologically, religiously, spiritually, administratively, ethically and scientifically. Fear permeates the warp and woof of human existence.
In this small but powerful book, Eneyo indulges our intellectual appetite by giving us another full course meal on the concept of fear. He has titled it Mastering the Secrets of Fear: A Fearological Manual. This work of first importance contains issues like “how to master the secrets of fear’’, ‘’different perspectives on fear’’, ‘’underlying causes of fear”, ‘’disposing and heightening causes of fear in the modern world’’, “emotional dimensions of fear”, “principles for mastering fear”, and ‘’overcoming fear and knowing it”. I can categorically say that Eneyo has attempted, in a prodigious manner, an ambitious project, which provides us with calculus of fear (which I call Fearological Calculus) akin to the Hedonistic calculus of Jeremy Bentham.
We must appreciate Eneyo for this bold, audacious and insightful foray into this hitherto unexplored dimension of human reality. Though scholars like Soren Kierkegaard in Fear and trembling, Albert Camus in The Myth of Sisyphus, Desh Subba in Philosophy of Fearism, R. Michael Fisher in “Introduction to Fearology” and a few others have done some work in the area of fear and fearology, none is as home-grown and apposite as Eneyo’s philosophical insight.
I, therefore, wholeheartedly commend Eneyo for doggedly, resolutely and irresistibly leading us into this untapped mine called FEAR, a concept so pervasive and yet very little discussed as though fear has compelled mankind not to discuss it so it can continue to keep us in its perpetual bondage. Thankfully, Eneyo has burst this bondage asunder and mankind is now set free, never to be held in its captivity any longer. We can only overcome fear by knowing about it and its dynamics. I recommend this book to those who desire to know about fear and have mastery over it. It is a bourgeoning area of interest in philosophy and psychology. Therefore, I encourage students and lovers of knowledge to read this work for spectacular enlightenment.

Professor G. O. Ozumba
Department of Philosophy
University of Calabar, Calabar – Nigeria

 

 

 

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I have long been watching the rise and fall and antics and dramatizations of the Jordan B. Peterson (social) phenomenon. One cannot really ignore it, if you want to know what is going on in the sociopsychological and political atmosphere of today's world (at least in the postmodern Western world). 

I made this poster today, after listening to Peterson's failure to make his legal case against the Ontario College Board of Psychologists yesterday. His case is for "free speech" when he is in public as a public figure, and at the same time he wants to keep his psychologist license and not be censored (unfairly). He is big on being treated unfairly by anyone, especially now his own profession and the State --thus, Peterson is a controversial political figure and has been deeply interested in activism and politics and a rather conservative-libertarian perspective. That's all a much bigger topic. You can hear my 3 videos on my Youtube channel if you want to know more of my views of this fascinating and troubling character in the world. Right now, he is actually one of the top most known ('stars') internationally as a Canadian. Even more known than the prime minister?--or they are a close tie. Peterson can't stand our Canadian prime minister and says so in public media constantly. 

My critique or fearanalysis is of Peterson's take on 'freedom'... which is fear-based, and thus distortive. (a longer argument there to be had)...

Gabor Mate is also very well-known and outspoken, and has his quick critique in 2 min. summary, rather good, I think: go to: https://www.google.com/search?q=%22Gabor+Mate%22+on+%22Jordan+Peterson%22+&sca_esv=559894069&source=hp&ei=HgfoZPHcMsWH0PEPrOK-4Ao&iflsig=AD69kcEAAAAAZOgVLm6V1PbrowLbIdKH4tRhOBH3bxKC&ved=0ahUKEwjx45i11_aAAxXFAzQIHSyxD6wQ4dUDCAw&uact=5&oq=%22Gabor+Mate%22+on+%22Jordan+Peterson%22+&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IiIiR2Fib3IgTWF0ZSIgb24gIkpvcmRhbiBQZXRlcnNvbiIgMgYQABgWGB5IuWFQAFi1XnAAeACQAQCYAbkBoAGfF6oBBTIyLjEyuAEDyAEA-AEBwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxiDARjHARjRA8ICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgILEAAYigUYsQMYgwHCAhEQLhiKBRixAxiDARjHARjRA8ICBRAAGIAEwgILEC4YigUYsQMYgwHCAgsQLhiDARixAxiABMICCxAuGK8BGMcBGIAEwgIFEC4YgATCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICCBAuGIAEGLED&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:adf7cd1e,vid:qOJ0lUSBI14

 

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This video(30 min. lecture) by the nondual E-W philosopher Alan Watts (c. 1970s), is intriguing in its depiction of the "artist" in the most generic sense of the term, not just the artist as someone who makes art objects for entertainment, or expression, or profit on the marketplace. But the archetype of the "Fool" and "Trickster" is embedded in The Artist, as I and Watts argue, is where "they actually teach us how to live" (to quote Watts from the lecture. If one takes the interpretation further, this fool-trickster-artist modality of being is truly a good one to study and practice as an indicator (though not always) of someone following the path of fearlessness. And that's a larger discussion we ought to engage here on the FM ning. 

 

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Scammer: Hack into FM ning emails

Please ignore anything by this scammer (fake name mrsstellabudheir@gmail.com), who hacked into the FM ning and got your email. I did not give out email and do not, as host. Hopefully you won't get bothered by them. Just ignore. Note: I have contacted the Ning people to secure the site.   -Michael

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Book Review of Subba's Philosophy of Fearism

 
No description available.
Krishna Pradhan, Silguri, India
 
[The article is reprinted here, and was published on July 30, 2023, Kasar Weekly, Jhapa, Nepal. Here it is translated by Desh Subba, Hong Kong. Krishna Pradhan is a popular Nepali, Hindi, English and Bengali writer. He lives in Siliguri, West Bengal, India]
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Along with participating in the International Tourism Festival in Dharan, Nepal Sanskrit University Dang Prof. Tankprasad Neupane Study Research Centre and Literature Centre, and Arts Culture Foundation, Dharan, falicitated, on the occasion of felicitation received event, on behalf of Fearism Study Centre, Manisundar Khatridahal presented me a book named Bhaybad (Philosophy of Fearism) as a gift written by Desh Subba. I read the book within a week that is so profound, and detailed about Fearism. First of all, it will be unjustice if I don't express gratitude to literary charioteer Manisundar Khatradahal, I am very grateful to him.
 
'Ism' is a suffix in literature, which is used to be added to any word, that word changes its meaning in a particular way and describes its interpretation in a particular aspect. There are different 'Isms' in literature.
 
Similarly, the researcher Desh Subba has presented an investigative book in the name of Fearism for the prosperity of Nepali literature.
Dictionary meaning of fear is fear, panic arising from a crisis or evil. It makes the creature anxious and disturbed in their mental state. We have been afraid since childhood. The elders tell us we should not be afraid, we used to try our best to be fearless. But for some reason we were scared. The researcher has established it by deep study in the means of life is conducted, directed and controlled by fear. His philosophical thinking inspires human civilization to know its importance. As a new experiment in Nepalese language, in the preface it has proposed the argument that they want to eradicate fear. In human life they must have fear, otherwise their existence will be erased.
 
The founder has defined sub-topics in this way - "There are many types of consciousness, but we should consider fear as beautiful ones. We succeed, progress because of it. If consciousness was not beautiful, the form of the world would have been different. This beautiful consciousness has made the world beautiful. "In this context, Gorkhaland is demanded due to fear of losing existence". Life, consciousness and knowledge are mixed in fear. Subba tried to claim, fear is the director of life, the operating power of civilization, the universe, the black hole of the space, invention, light, vision, mystery, superpower, caution indicator, courage, enemy of personality, beauty, powerful weapon controller, big law, guardian of all activities, the combined form of psychological effects, and the protector of the creatures, biggest claim is, covered God under Fearism. He included God as a fear. He says, "Because of fear man believes in God, and worships it." God is the way to get relief from the fear of various sorrows, pains, and problems. "It seems that God is the only way to get rid of fear. We call them religious.
People always think that "I am good". This trend is by birth. We fear that others may dislike us or say bad things. People want to be beautiful. He is trying to be the best in society. Fearism has wrapped up this issue, the turban of beauty.
 
Since early civilization human beings have been encircled in this chain. They struggled with fear of hunger, wild animals, and natural power. Fears seem to be fearmorphosed crossing various eras. Desh has given eras of fears 1. Primitive Low Fear Age (Primitive Hunter Age), 2. Pre-Middle Fear Age (Agriculture Age), 3. The Middle Fear Age (Feudal Age), 4. Early Medium Fear Age (Industrial Age), 5. Atomic Fear Age, 6. Cyber Fear Age, 7. Space Fear Age, 8. Virus Fear Age, 9. Extreme Fear Age, 10. The Fearless Age. He has defined these detailly in a book.
 
Interestingly, he has said a man can be free from fear when he relieves negative aspects such as anger, work, love, affection, doubt, jealousy, ego, hatred. His clear-cut concept is, If we do this, there will be a balance of fear. How fear comes, he has mentioned it in a circle of fear topic, he said fear is human consciousness and with this, we see, remember, eat, suffer naturally and it expands. For example, we fear when we see a snake. We haunt by the feeling of a bite. But the logic of Desh is that, snake is just an external element of fear. The snake can bite us, so we panic and fear. It is not necessary to panic and fear with snakes, he argues. After stimulating human fear- consciousness, we feel fear, he opines. In this way, he has widely analysed and explanationed the sources of fear.
 
In the operation of fear Subba scans the source, reason, factors, areas of fear, cosmis form of fear, universe of fear, situation of fear, types of fear, fear cycle, perimeter and relativity, emergence of fear, possible events, fear guided life, middle word of fear, fear struggle, fear pyramids, dephilosophy, fearless path and synopsis, etc. in Philosophy of Fearism.
 
Fear is a kind of phobia. We fear because of doubt, confusion, mistakes, wrongdoing, accusations, jealousy. It can be seen in his writing. Desh Subba's book has become very deep, and appreciable. Hehas presented innovative idea to Nepali literature. Many English books have been published on the basis of Fearism all over the world. It is not only a gift for literature students, but also for university, just like the Ramayana of Bhanubhakta. It must be read in every house. For the general reader they find Fearism is an encyclopedia of fear and it hammers in scholars' minds.
Best wishes and heartly thank you to author, creator and applier of Fearism, Desh Subba.
Title of book Philosophy of Fearism
Subtitle: Life is conducted, directed and controlled life by the fear.
Writer: Desh Subba
Publisher: Kitabghar Publication, Kathmandu,
First Edition - 2014 (Year 2071)
Language editing Paras Nepal
Cover Design-Times Creation
Lay Out - KousalKhaki
Price
Neru 399/-
IC 249/-
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BHAYAWAD (Fearism)
By Desh Subba, 2014
ISBN; 9789937872140
 
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I'm glad to announce that I have been hired on as an online course developer and faculty instructor at Southwestern College, graduate school program, Visionary Practice & Regenerative Leadership. Barbara (my life-partner) also will be co-developing and teaching with me this fall, 2023. It's an exciting chance to be involved in this fascinating program. 

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Buddhism: Compassion Plus Fearlessness

In an intriguing article 13(3)+Buddhism+Moral+Courage+Perspective+on+Fear+and+Truth+(3504-3516) (1).pdf on Buddhism and fear (and fearlessness), I have taken one extract here :

"Compassion (Karuna) is at the heart of Buddhism, as it aligns with the fundamental teaching of alleviating suffering for oneself and others. Engaged Buddhism emphasizes the active and practical application of compassion in the world. This includes empathetic concern for the welfare of all beings, especially those who are marginalized, oppressed, or facing hardship. Engaged Buddhists critique the application of compassion by encouraging socially engaged actions, such as advocating for social justice, promoting environmental stewardship, and providing aid to those in need. By cultivating compassion, individuals are inspired to take positive action to address societal and environmental challenges. Fearlessness (Abhaya) in Buddhism does not imply the absence of fear but rather the capacity to confront and transform fear (Fisher & Kumar, 2021). Engaged Buddhists critique fearlessness as the willingness to challenge oppressive systems, social injustices, and unethical practices. Fearlessness empowers individuals to speak out against injustice, even when facing resistance or threats. By embodying fearlessness, engaged practitioners promote change and transformation within society while upholding the principles of non-violence and compassion.

Explore how compassion and fearlessness are critiqued for application in engaged application in social activism under the context of engaged Buddhism, compassion and fearlessness serve as guiding principles in social activism (Dickman, 2022). Instead of passively accepting the status quo, engaged Buddhists critique complacency and apathy, encouraging active involvement in addressing societal issues. By combining compassion with fearlessness, practitioners can effectively engage in social action while maintaining ethical integrity and promoting non-harming. Buddhism cultivation of empathy engaged Buddhists emphasize the cultivation of empathy, which is closely related to compassion (Zalta, 2022). Through empathetic understanding, individuals can better grasp the experiences and suffering of others. This understanding informs compassionate responses and drives transformative actions to address the root causes of suffering in the world. Encouraging non-attachment to outcomes engaged Buddhists actively work towards positive change, they also critique attachment to specific outcomes. Recognizing the impermanent nature of the world, they emphasize the importance of practicing with a non-attached mind. This approach allows practitioners to continue their compassionate efforts without being disheartened by potential setbacks or limited results. Compassion and fearlessness in engaged Buddhism extend to embracing diversity and inclusivity (Das, 2023). Engaged practitioners critique discrimination, prejudice, and exclusionary attitudes. They strive to create inclusive spaces and advocate for the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or other social identifiers.

The critique of applying compassion and fearlessness in engaged Buddhism revolves around actively embodying these virtues in compassionate action and fearlessly challenging oppressive systems. Engaged Buddhists recognize the interconnectedness of all beings and engage in transformative practices to alleviate suffering and promote justice, peace, and environmental harmony. Through the integration of compassion, fearlessness, empathy, and non-attachment, engaged practitioners create positive impacts within society while upholding the core principles of Buddhist ethics and wisdom."


Res Militaris, vol.13, n°3, March Spring 2023 3507

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In the Majeri of Bhaya Darshan (Fearism)

No photo description available.
Bina Devi
My article published in today's (12-08-2023) 'Himalayan Darpan'. I express my heartfelt gratitude to brother Rudra Baral and the 'Himalayan Darpan' family.
Though fear trembles, heart beats due to fear, even if hands and knees tremble, heart that cannot be stopped. If we find some danger signal from a neighbouring house, it is enough to terrorize us. Unless we know the fact, what is happening there, we will be anxious. This kind of instability made me roam around Rana Kafle's book Bhaya Darsan ko Majherima. When I tried to view it, Oh..it made me wonder, It does not describe only a baby to the death of man, all animals are mysteriously seen in the circle of fear. It is his one among 14 books. 366718117_1510206923057261_1107644319732273981_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dd63ad&_nc_ohc=xuwbfltiJXUAX_G0Z0E&_nc_ht=scontent.fhkg3-1.fna&oh=00_AfBjgdw-sL8gU1NefgqzeSwADZxy835Ax7XEW9AbjTpBwQ&oe=64DD0CCA&profile=RESIZE_180x180
Rana Kafle is the renowned writer in Indian Nepali literature, he is the eldest son of Jay Bahadur Kafle and Pavitra Devi Kafle.
He lives in Mugasang village, West Karbianglang district, he is a teacher though he is dedicated to social awareness, social activities, language and literature. He doesn not only write literature in Nepali, he also writes stories, poems, essays, novels in Hindi, Garo, Karbi, Bangla, etc. I was interested to read his work, fortunately, he gifted me 'Bhaya Darshan ko Majherima' from his hand.
This book was published in 2015 by Indian Literature Institute, Tezpur, Assam, India. He became able to show the effect of fear over animals in different times and conditions. In the book, there are 18 essays. Preface is written by Lil Bahadur Kshatri (Assam), Dr. Tank Prasad Neupane (President, Fearism Study Center, Dharan), Bhawani Adhikari (Manipur), Gyan Bahadur Chhetri (Assam), Dambar Dahal (Chairman, Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha), Hem Joshi (Shillong), Virbhadra Karkidholi (Sikkim), and Desh Subba founder of Philosophy of Fearism has given the best wishes and said, it can be extended to different parts Assam.
Firstly, Surendra Limbu Pardesi, the president of International Pardeshi Group, gave an edited book by Deepak Subedi "Bhayabad Chintan r Bimarsa (Philosophy of Fearism Discourse and Thought). He was deeply influenced by 'Philosophy of Fearism', and it dragged him like a magnet and ran Basibiyalo for 24 months. It was his long march towards Fearism. I think it's not wrong to say that this book was created as a result.
 
Fear, the name itself is scary. One sense, it obstructs all the creatures. It is a negative effect and understanding. Writer has started writing about fear(ism) and reached this destination where all creatures trapped by it including himself. From birth to death, a man is driven by fear. Suppose fear is state itself. It is born with a man, and walks with man till death. Not merely humans, all the creatures of the earth are under its control. They will never be free from its grip. Author has described Fearism in simple language and examples, it made it easy to understand to readers.
 
Investigating in the book Fearism, the author has expressed the impact of many types of ghosts, he examines the concept of it, till now he has a question, and found, he is also affected by it. On the other hand, his mother said, an eight-year-old child's heart is camped with fear, it comes from childhood. Similarly, in this prolonged journey, he says -if we don't understand the fear, it disturbed and obstacles us on the way to our destination.
 
The writer neither believes nor disbelieves in the words of the saints who wear traveller dresses, though he fears and hesitates to ignore them. The writer says -Faith in God is fear. If God is pleased, people get rid of pain, fulfilled desire, and longevity etc. and if God is angry, they need to face suffering, and premature death. So, they worship God though it is imaginary. Writer follows the Fearism steps of Desh Subba and seems to have succeeded.
 
Fear creates courage and power in human beings. He gives an example of Childai; how a young man drowning in the water was saved by another man without caring for his life. He also says -The driver of the car saved life from the hands of the extremist with courage and the knowledge. Although in terrible situation, he safely reached home, because of fear. Referring to Subba he says - Fear is indomitable courage, which shows miracle in necessity. Fear of honor, respect, joblessness, savings, work burden etc. causes depression and mental illness. But if they know that fear is the reason then, they can get rid of such illnesses.
 
Nowadays, suicide tendency is developing in society. It is becoming toxic, its basic reason is fear. At the time, the suicider had already become a victim of it. People will try their best to get rid of it. Without knowing the source, how to behave smartly, a man always suffers from such cases. Desh has given the theory which contemplates on such critical issues. He has said, the purpose of Fearism is to see life and the world in a positive way.
Author has exposed the positive and negative aspects of Fearism. Negative causes harm while positive makes life successful. Not only this, it can be applied in many areas of human behavior.
Founder of the world's youngest philosophy, Subba has said, fear is the director of life.
 
Positive fear Inspires us to be assured and secure in life. Saving money, assets, and insured property is for preservation of life. Good example he has given, about robbers who came to rob during a rail journey. "Fearism is a cautionary indicator" he referenced it from Subba. Fear informs people about danger and risk to life. That's why this theory must be understood by readers.
 
Indian army field marshal Sam Manikshow said 'If a man says he is not afraid of dying he may either be lying or a gorkha'. Questioning the quote, he says -Are Gorkhas different from other human races in the world? How can they be separated from the other people? Human emotions like sorrow, laughter-crying, bitter-sweet are the same for everyone then? Can we assume that it is because of their fearlessness? Are there any authentic facts in this? In reality, even if we are dying, we have been conducted, directed and controlled by fear, therefore, we have to keep respect for our race. Besides, even the life of a shepherd can be seen that his life is deeply influenced by this philosophy. He expects that someone will deeply study his fearful life and write a novel.
Subba says - 'Among the many human consciousnesses, fear is one. Fear wakes up with consciousness and sleeps with consciousness. So, writer Kafle argues fear circulates us and its expansion affects our life.
Players are not exceptional, they are inspired by it. Their fear is losing the game, losing respect, getting hated, etc. That's why they die-heart play to protect their prestige, their action and behaviour justifies it.
 
Finally, we look at the religious ceremony of the village. They had a fear of disturbed. Even feeling terror in mind suddenly an accident happened. Someone spots death. Horrible situation appeared and ended the event in the midst. Fear has multiple occurance, where and when it reveals depend on place and time. The aim of Fearism is to alert people before an accident. Fearism is very practical and useful in life, thus, he has said that it is necessary to believe in the quote of it, life is conducted, directed and controlled by fear.
 
It is translated version of Himalayan Darpan, Sikkim, India
 Bina Devi is an author from Tezpur Assam, India.
 
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Hello. I want to introduce you to my short Intro video of my vision (with John Coleman) of how The Fearology Center and his institute that focuses on the humanities can be a great combination as we go into the future of education and beyond. Check out my Intro. talk here: https://apocatastasisinstitute.wordpress.com/fearology-center/

 

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My first major work of fearology was this book The World's Fearlessness Teachings (2010), published by University Press of America/Rowman & Littlefield. 

This opus volume contains 21 years of research on the topic of fear and fearlessness, across time, across cultures, and explores the topic across the many theories that exist out there in human thought on fear management. 

I think Yahweh's comment on the last blog is relevant and worthy to comment on. Yahweh's comment is about their own doubt that there is such a phenomenon as the "gift of fear" (which is the phrase and theory of international security expert Gavin De Becker). Note: I cover De Becker's theory in my 2010 book and critique it respectfully as well, as I critique many theories of fear management/education therein. 

I have analyzed De Becker and many other contemporary writers and teachers who want to make "fear" positive. Often they are doing this because they feel "fear" has for too long in history received a bad rap, a negative connotation, and that that hasn't helped us see the positive side to fear. I call this all a movement to re-furbish and rehabilitate fear in order to make it important again in its own right. I think that is generally a good movement and response and will benefit humanity. However, like all movements they can be biased and one-sided and excessive to become their own ideologies. That's part of my critique of these "fear-positivists" as I call them collectively. De Becker is part of that camp of thinking and teaching about fear. It is partial. And Yahweh is even questioning it as potentially mis-guided or at least it is something that ought to be scrutinized. I'm glad Yahweh wrote the comment of questioning on the De Becker initiative in the last blog post. 

I show my book here because I attempt to sort through, albeit long-winded and scholarly in approach, that there are indeed troubles with the "fear-positivists" and that has important outcomes. Without going into all that detail, I recommend my book. However, I will say, it is good for us on the Fearlessness Movement Ning to think about these things carefully and examine our own experiences with fear and fearlessness. Let us not be controlled by what others think too much. That itself, is part of the path of fearlessness and it is part of what fearology attempts to do by raising these issues on the topic of fear into the light of critical analysis and experimentation and philosophical debate. Finally, I argue that the real gift (theoretically) is not "fear" but "fearlessness." I trace out carefully in my book why that is a useful proposition and theory and has not been embraced in the Western world of thought to date. There are also lots of problems with the use of the term "fearlessness" and "fearless" which I write and teach about. But besides all that, I have a way of writing and thinking that is dialectical and may help us get around some of the problems of the debates about "gift of fear" vs. "gift of fearlessness." My solution... 

(?) or my intrigue for a better way to study this all, is to look at a conception that is written as fear(less)(ness). By breaking this down and showing these relationships, there is more likely to be a 'corrective' awareness in what we are talking and writing and teaching about with this topic of fear and fearlessness. Anyways, just my suggestion, for now... maybe you folks have a better suggestion... 

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Note: I appreciate John Coleman, Apocatastasis Institute for re-posting this blog today. See Learn about Apocatastasis' Fearology Center here: https://apocatastasisinstitute.wordpress.com/fearology-center/ 

 

 

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This is a short summary illustrated video by a person on the internet and does a pretty good job of interpreting the theory of "gift of fear" by Gavin De Becker. As colleagues in the battle to de-mythologize the fear phenomenon and culture of fear, Gavin and I have known each other for 25 years through correspondence on emails, and he has written a Foreword for one of my publications on "culture of fear" and he has been generous to support my work on fearology overall since 2000.

His position is founder and president of Gavin De Becker & Associates, an American top security firm with international recognition as well. He's a big player in the world of violence and how to prevent it, especially for judges, celebrities and so on. He has several books and articles and is on video interviews all over. He is an amazing psychological 'counselor' as well in re: to people who have been terrified, attacked, and threatened [1].

He is recently (to my surprise), now becoming more public and even political in the public sphere of culture and politics. He has recently been called a "billionaire donar" on one leftist podcast, in re: to his (suspicious in their eyes) alignment with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his bid for 2024 president of the USA. We'll have to keep watching where this all goes. But in the meantime, I support De Becker getting involved in political life at this scale and indeed even if he wants to be a superpack donor, not that I encourage that regime of political elitism and money-dropping [2]. Anyways, I look forward to hearing more from De Becker and I'm glad to help out, especially in the project he has, like myself (and others) to better educate our society about fear (and, what Gavin ultimately wants, which is a "fear less" society [3] and he wants us all, more or less, to become "warriors" [4])--now, that gets really interesting. And, not surprising, I am also a critic of his fear theory in important aspects, but that nonetheless does not diminish my respect for it. 

Endnotes

1. E.g., For his recent interview live with Sarah Silverman go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYdUV0H16lY

2. I note that De Becker with all his money and influence is not backing Marianne Williamson, and her pursuit much more forthright than RFK Jr., to make the world fear less --and, I am referring to all of MW's long career since 1983 at least, to have society shift from a politics of fear to a politics of love. She, in my view, ought to be highly supported by people like De Becker. That said, I really don't know who De Becker funds in politics, but the recent expose' podcast I mention about does say De Becker has donated 4.5 million already to RFK Jr.'s campaign bid for dems president in 2024.

3. De Becker, G. (2002). Fear Less: Real truth about risk, safety, and security in a time of terrorism. NY: Little, Brown & Co.

4. See intro of the interview he does with Sarah [endnote 1 video], and he calls Sarah a (woman) "warrior," validating her with great admiration. 

 

 

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Fearism, Fearlessness, Love and Trauma

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“When the artist understands fear as a mental construct at the root of everything,
when she understands that fear is a choice that dictates all, her path to love opens up. She chooses to move into a state of fearlessness (e.g., see R. Michael Fisher, who is a Fearlessness philosopher from Canada)--and, one choice at a time continuously creating life from a place of core stability. Fear cannot be eliminated as everything stems from it. Yet the artist knows that by removing all fear-based conditionings and attachments that no longer serve the transmuted self, she advances into enlightenment. She becomes love. She becomes limitless.
 
Desh Subba’s in dept study of fear (Philosophy of Fearism) should be taken as a serious guide to help one go deeper within to heal traumas rooted in fear as well as to move into a new state of reality where fear is seen as a choice to master rather than an emotion to fear. To see fear in its truth, accepting it as the fire that ignites our journey to love is remembering that love is the all.”
 
Author
Roxy Genier
Philosopher of Luxury
Global Citizen
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A NEW BOOK, with a rare editor (Prof. Arie Kizel) in academia, gives full-on challenge to the "pedagogy of fear" and its role in dominating so much of teacher education and thus State-run education systems. Even rarer, it is virtually impossible to find an academic educator today who will cite my fearwork (e.g., with three separate citations) in their References at the end of their essay or book. I've attached a small excerpt from Kizel's "Editor Introduction" (2023) from this new book and the citations of my writing on fear and education. How could I not highly recommend this book for adults, parents, teachers and leaders everywhere. 

Excerpt Example from Kizel (2023): 

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p. xxii [cont'd]....

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... to p. xxxi 

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FYI - Dr. Kizel (Assoc. Prof. at the Department of Learning and Instructional Sciences at the Faculty of Education, University of Haifa in Israel), and I have been working on our own co-authored books which critically examines the notion of "pedagogy of fear" as used by diverse educators, researchers, theorists and other sources, as we are curious as to the various different meanings and perspectives brought to this concept and reality. To our surprise there are uses of this term that are quite precisely the same and homogenous, often similar and other times quite the opposite and contradictory. There is obviously research questions that we will examine in our book as well as lay out in more depth our approaches to the philosophy of education and fear, to teacher education, to pedagogy of fear and curriculum theorizing in general. We both have a strong interest in counter-education and alternatives and to this day we both believe even these off-the-mainstream more radical educational initiatives have not systematically enough come to important investigations of the nature and role of fear (and fearlessness). We hope to get this book published in the next 2 years, if all goes well.    

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“Released some wandering mind thoughts.” -CB

Asynchronous Dialogue of R. M. Fisher With CB 

Fisher: Yes, I always appreciate it when someone writes a long and raw letter to me as part of our relationship of co-inquiry (loosely speaking) into the nature of life, reality, identity and what this world is all about. Then to dive into sharing about the investigations and mind wanderings into “fear” and “fearology is even more of a treat. In all my life studying fear, I have not met a more dedicated person to write back and forth with about fear than CB. CB is a much younger man than I. I met him in Calgary in 2019 or so when we lived just down the block from each other. I moved away in 2021, so our in close proximity relationship was short-lived, but we decided to write to each other whenever we felt the desire or need. CB writes more to me than I do to him, but I always respond. He appreciates just having a ‘space’ of nonjudgmental reception. I have been so impressed with his thinking and sincerity to know and improve his life and that of others around him, albeit, struggling with the great limitations of him being able to do either. His life is very much ‘on the edge’ as I see it and yet, he makes it through day by day. It astounds me that he will take on projects and often not finish them, then takes on more. He can even be a hoarder that way and that causes lots of problems.

At times I feel he is characteristic of someone slightly on the mild end of the autism spectrum, at other times I feel he is just an honest human and I really love having him in my life. Why wouldn’t I love his obsessiveness to learn. CB is the only person I know who has watched systematically in the last two years all of my 150 videos on my Youtube channel and most of which are on fear and fearlessness. He is a thinker and then thinks about thinking. He is a natural philosopher. Self-taught mostly, with no academic schooling beyond secondary education other than the school of life. Easily, he could do a masters or a doctorate degree if he was inclined and found the right department and field to go into. I’m not sure he cares much about that. He reads a lot and listens to a tonne of radio programs (day and night) that are about knowledge and ideas that really matter.

With that context, now I’ll turn to a bit our most recent exchange, which starts with identity as I consider this more important on one level than the discussion on fearology. Yet, fearology is where I think things really matter in our conversation and identity and fear are close twins, as you will see in my comments on his comments below. [note: I have excerpted with CB’s permission bits and re-arranged them slightly in this iteration of “some wandering mind thoughts”. Thanks CB. 

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CB: So I took some time as I was writing through the night, now later this morning, to pull out Erik Erikson’s "Identity and the Life Cycle". Reading about the ideas of what I will call the donning and doffing of identity in a social context. The reconciling of self-identity with the social construction of identities within which we live. The acceptance and non-acceptance of individual self-identity within the socially acceptable identities, all of which are changing, submerging and re-emerging over time. I am thinking the donning and doffing is important in order to remain flexible to the changing landscape, socialscape. Seems important to not become too dependent on a particular clothing of identity. One can’t help notice, this societal moment of multiple crises, including identity, where so many seem to be seeking a simple(r) identity that will somehow solve the complexity in which we live. 

Fisher: Good snooping and sorting you are doing (like so many these days) around "identity" stuff, which is sounding fruitful, if not more and more complicated. My latest thinking is that we'd be all a lot better off (ha ha) if we saw ourselves as a community and hybrid of many others--a companion species with other species at all times (knowing it or not)--and, a posthuman perspective is I think the better way to go in general (much more in alignment with an Indigenous perspective)... or even that we are a diasporic identity I think is more realistic and as the world becomes under such pressures and so much 'movement' going on with immigrating and emigrating under climate change, wars and other tragedies-- we are all 'diasporic' in some sense--now, the question is, is that a good thing--it will really make one flexibly adaptable that's for sure-- a larger argument ('against') the grand search for 'home.' [some of the best thinking and writing on posthumanist identity comes these days from Bayo Akomolafe, and his Yoruba perspective as a black man and Nigerian now living in India and part-time in the USA; see his 2017 book, for e.g., These Wild’s Beyond Our Fences; he also has many talks on Youtube] 

The Problem With Fearologies

[as editor:] I start this off with my agreement with CB’s critique of one particular psychologist who called themselves a “fearologist” and has made some videos on “fearology” and attempting to legitimize it as a proper field of study and usefulness, but unfortunately they have not done their homework well. There may be other reasons as well for their lack of rigor on this topic. I start with my quickie reply to CB and then give his perspective which he came to about fearologies he was seeing out there on the Internet.

Fisher: First node response: [re: Dr. Mary Poppenroff] "It kind of doesn’t feel too integral to me." [CB was not impressed with Poppenroff’s interview] Yup, that was my experience listening to that same interview several years ago and reaching out as I have to Mary P. a few times to publish an article in the International Journal of Fear Studies, and other reaching out --but she has evaded me from the start pretty much. Ho hum... It was good to read your crit. to see I am not alone in what I've picked up about this so-called self-proclaimed "fearologist."  

CB: So here I am in the wee hours of the morning after spending my overnight wandering through a search of “Fearology” on the internet. I imagine you have done this before. I know you have - (by this I mean, doing a search of the term Fearology).

Staying up all night following random thoughts maybe a bit over-the-top, maybe not so much what I am referring to that you woud do. You say have done such a similar search in one of the website links that came up for me: 

https://prism.ucalgary.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/3070d4ae-5aa9-4472-9a26-722a3c3f7089/content

Interesting to read through this document you wrote and published. “Integral Fearology: A study of the Fearology of Fearologies.” That helped me to see your work better when put that way.

So then I searched Fearology and read another of your pieces linked to above: "A Research Agenda To Legitimate The Study of ‘Fear’: Beginning Fearology 2000-2011." In there I read with a smile.  I wasn’t aware you have already done an interview with CBC radio’s host Shelagh Rogers, way back in 2004. I have been thinking for a while that there are quite a few CBC program’s which could/should explore your work.

Then I went through this two part series podcast (you are likely familiar): 

https://www.alieward.com/ologies/fearology-pt-1

Very thankful that this podcast of host Alie Ward could be listened to at faster speeds. After going through so many of your YouTube videos this podcast interview with Mary Poffenroth seemed a bit superficial. Also I’m a bit disappointed they referenced one of your books at about the 3.20 mark but didn’t bother to reference you as the author. Doubly irritating given many references to various other people’s Youtube videos and such linked below their podcast on Allie Ward’s website, your work was not acknowledged. They could have at least put a link to your work! They also passingly say later around the 17.17 mark that most books Mary researched to become a fearologist were: ( 1) about extremes of fear or, were (2) more pseudoscience [thus Poffenroth was critical of their mis-informing people]. Maybe I am hearing that overly negatively, but neither of those categories describes your work. Not cool.

[the entire interview in summation:] Very psychological, and "fear as emotion," is the presumption throughout, or as Mary says "fear = stress, they are the same thing." At a few points along the way in the 2 hour or so of this series of talks, Mary describes herself as looking at fear in the more everyday experience and is not as interested in serious disorders, and that she sees herself as looking at fear in an integral way. It kind of doesn’t feel too integral to me.

Okay, I give some credit. There are some (maybe) useful ideas of her’s like RIA (Recognize, Identify, Address) individual fear, as a management approach. But it is for me a fairly limited treatment of things. Also, I’m not so enthusiastic about her idea about our fears (at an individual, emotional level) which can be so neatly categorized as being “factual” or “fictional.” I can see how she could build such categories but describing someone’s fear as being fictional might be problematic, or worst, demeaning.

As I just wandered here from my previous search of “the metaphor menu” and the whole problem associated with seeing living with a disease as a battle only, maybe I am more sensitive to seeing some fears as fictional and others as factual as maybe a not so ideal framimg. Then again, maybe our whole life is fictional. In way, maybe it is, so in a way maybe that is a factual part of life?

[Fisher: CB and I agree on this fuzzy boundary of fictional and factual, and the way they can get inflated with, respectively, abnormal and normal, of which btw is pretty much how all clinical professionals are heavily indoctrinated, and so it is not surprising to me a clinical psychologist type like Poffenroth would slide into the binaries of this study of fear(s) and build her theories and models upon that foundation—a very dubious one, and one that I do not promote in the true study called “fearology”]

CB: Towards the end of the second part of the series she did describe how difficult it can be to talk about fear, and with talking to colleagues about fear. That seemed to echo some of what you have talked about with regards to the tricky nature of fear and the difficulties in engaging people and academia in talking about and studying fear. So that part seemed to feel like a grappling with a more hidden aspect of fear that was otherwise somewhat absent in the series. At least the host Alie Ward used your work to make the claim that Fearology is a real word! More people who do that will make it so, perhaps. While she didn’t reference you properly, she did refer to your work and at the same time indirectly described you as an expert. The quote:

2.53 “Ward. Is Fearology a word?” . . .  3.20 “I looked it up and Fearology is, in fact, a real word, as it's been used in books about fear like: "Philosophy and Fearism - an East West Dialogue" [I initiated that book and was lead author, with my colleague from Nepal, Desh Subba] and a few other experts in stress and fear and anxiety use the word fearology so, I think it is a super critical field of study and thus I am throwing my weight behind making it an even realer, more commonly used word. Fearology. Let’s do this. Let’s talk about it," says Alie.

As I say I was glad I could listen mostly at 1.5 or 2x speed. I am a bit tired so maybe not as patient about this one. For a Dr. of status, I was not impressed with Poffenroth’s level of thinking on fear. I am sure she earned her Ph.D. She is well spoken and really does seem very versed in what she is describing. I also should be careful to not confuse her upbeat style with a stereotype of not being scholarly, but the ideas presented, which the host finds “mind-blowing,” do not seem to dig deeper into the nature of fear particularly. Her RIA idea kind of sums up her approach Recognize it, Identify it, Address it. And, I presume, move on from it. It is maybe ok at that level, but it seems limited to me now. Watching your videos appears to have me wanting more than I got here.

Then I ended my night of wandering the Internet, with the Fearology Centre page on the Apocatastasis Institute website.

Fisher: This is my latest ‘center within a center’ project, as I was invited by John Coleman, after he did an interview with me on his podcast on the topic of fear(ology) some months ago. This recent implant at the Apocatastasis Institute for the Humanities, is a humble initiative in the realm of alternatives in higher education. I look forward to working there as one of my sites of teaching/learning/activism in the world.

CB: At The Fearology Centerpage, I worked more or less from the bottom of the page to the top and ended with your video about "Education and Trust.” This video is very resonant for me. Hearing one of your favourite quotes from Albert Camus (1946) re: the 20 century will be “the century of fear” is a good one. I have heard you refer to this quote before. For whatever reason it sunk in deeper for me this time around. You describing it as an achievement for humanity maybe is what did it. 

You also talked about Erik Erikson which resonated partly because I have picked up some of his work previously and have also been interested in it. For me it is an extension/companion of Maslow's needs hierarchy. I guess I like to categorize things. More personally, the ideas around the fundamental aspect of mistrust vs trust, or fear vs love, kind of hit home for me.

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Gail Bradbrook (UK), co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, gives a summary 34 min. talk on what she has learned over decades of trying to understand why the world systems are in collapse and why the activist movements are often not very successful to changing things. She is teaching we have to give up the idea that we can inluence governments and other power-money leaders to change in any real dramatic way that will make a difference to restore "aliveness" on this planet. She is teaching what research on Left and Right brain has to offer as well. I have long been a fan of that research and applications. The deeper 'roots' which she is after in analyzing what has gone so wrong, especially in the West (North), she emphasizes that it is a "spiritual crisis."

In 34 mins. she says a lot. At least, that's her view and of the many she collaborates with, reads their studies, and co-ordinates change with. I agree with lots of her diagnosis summary of the 5000 years that we have been constructing this Dominant worldview of self-hate and destruction; the pathology is real and she tells how many Indigenous peoples and others have named this destructive 'force' (e.g., Wetiko, Windigo) and, then she concludes the talk with practical things we can do to both carry ourselves through the crisis (especially the mental health deterioration)--through the fear and hate, and how we can rebuild together in networks, local and global (the glocal). Full credit to her long efforts to lead in this vision and do the homework and risk her own comforts to be at the edge of this change. Yes, I have my critiques of XR and Bradbrook's "vision" etc., but that is not the most important thing... I recommend this video summary. 

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I've not yet listened to this talk, but I was really caught by the image in the background from The Matrix (1999) sci-fi movie. You may not know but I did my dissertation on this movie and linked it to my theorizing of the 'Fear' Matrix construct which I'd come up with a few years before, although I called it by a different name. With The Wachowski Bros. movie The Matrix, I saw the 'Fear' Matrix articulated and dramatized so 'perfectly' in many ways, as that interplay of the worst in human nature and machine nature, and in a sense how the two are a continuum of the same occurence on this planet. Anyways, it would be interesting to see what this talk by Kingsnorth is about and if these people talk about fear ('fear') and its role in this human vs machine (A.I.) debate --and, reality going on. 

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John Heron, eminent social scientist, artist, holistic educator, leader of co-counseling, has been a great inspiration (to me and others) in his written texts since the 1990s. A real pioneer in understanding the human condition, a true humanist with a transpersonal and creative approach to that understanding--he led many into healing work and empowering ways of being in his life time. I'm sad to hear he passed away last year, at age 94. He obviously lived a long and meaningful life. 

I came across a quote from him today in his important 1996 book Co-operative Inquiry, which definitely hit home for me in terms of how to practice inquiry and research with an epistemology (and attitude) of "fearlessness." Heron wrote, 

"This world of primary meaning [and radical perception with it] is unrestricted perception, consciousness--world union, which is anterior to every distinction [dualism] including that of consciousness and nature (Merleau-Ponty, 1962). It is apprehended by a fearlessness which, 'means being able to respond accurately to the phenomenal world  altogether. It simply means being accurate and absolutely direct in relating with the phenomenal world by means of your sense perceptions, your mind and your sense of vision [aesthetics]' (Trungpa, 1986:31). Attunement with the other, empathy, harmonic resonance, is the way of communion, of participating in the interior world of the other. It grounds and complements and is inseparable..." (p. 120). 

Reference 

Heron, J. (1996). Co-operative inquiry: Research into the human condition. Sage.

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The above quote is so important to me in my fearwork, because as I have been promoting the path of fearlessness (since 1989), many still think fear and fearlessness is all about emotions and feelings and behaviors that counter them. That is so partial and incomplete, as to be nearly useless to what true fear(lessness) is about in the dynamic of what Heron, Merleau-Ponty, and Trungpa are referring to. An epistemological fear(lessness) is the concept that needs to be taught to everyone a lot more. 

 

 

 

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