Huge pitbull

Curses are experiences that trigger and sustain the activity of our threat brain. Many of us find it difficult to maintain a state of calm receptivity and a low stress life.  Too often we are thrown off centre into the reactive feelings, thoughts and behaviours that define our threat brain response.  For example, we can frequently feel irritated, anxious , overly critical, apathetic or disengaged. However, this is not our fault . It is a consequence of evolution and the mixed blessings that come with being human. Being human is not and never will be easy for there are many forces at work within and around us that trigger and sustain our threat response and cause suffering and pain.  So much so that in my work I refer to them as curses, and there are five, in particular,  that if we do not learn how to deal with will and do cause us real problems. The curse of consciousness The first is the curse of consciousness .  Whilst being able to think about ourselves … [Read more...] about It’s Not My Fault But It Is My Problem.

On a plane, passengers have neither control nor escape. If something goes wrong, there is nothing they can do. The idea of being helpless when in danger triggers the release of stress hormones . If the stress hormones build up too much, imagination takes over. The thought of the plane falling out of the sky stops being just a thought. Even as the plane is flying fine, the anxious passenger believes the plane is plunging. Our situation in this pandemic is similar. We have neither control of the situation nor a way to escape it. The idea of contracting the virus can release stress hormones. If the thought persists and stress hormone levels build up, we — like passengers on a plane — may lose our ability to separate imagination from reality. The thought of being in intensive care can overtake us even as we go through the day in good health. If someone confronts us with the fact that we don't need to be so distraught, we may justify our distress by saying, "But it could … [Read more...] about Anxious? Starting to Panic? Check Your Imagination