Beware the "Mind Threat"

Have you ever felt that instant surge of fear, anxiety, or nervousness that accompanies a perceived threat?  But you may not have been able to identify any actual threat, or reason why you're feeling that way?

This happened to me yesterday.  In fact, it's been happening a long time.  It probably happens to all of us throughout our lives.  Someone said something that it instantly triggered my fear response.

For me, at least at that moment, that internal reaction was one of not feeling good enough, not feeling loved, and fear of abandonment.

My ego mind was saying, "This is not good," "I need to do something about this," "I need to control this situation."  

And a year ago I probably would have gone to "that place" and made an even bigger issue out of something really very small.  But fortunately I've learned and grown a lot in the past year and was able to remind myself to just sit with it.  Let myself feel the disturbance, as Michael Singer might suggest.  Keep my heart open and let the fear pass right on out.

We're never going to be 100% free of fear.  There will always be things, little and big, that pop up in our lives that elicit that immediate fear response.  Sometimes they will be warranted, but other times it will just be our ego taking over and running out of habit.  That is the precise time to let go of old fear-inducing habits and grow.

But back to the title of this post: "The Mind Threat."  I realized yesterday as I was letting my fear pass through that there was no actual threat.  It was in my mind.

Someone had said something and with just a single sentence, really a single word, my habitual fear response tied to that word was sparked.

Just because our fear response is set off, it doesn't necessarily mean there's something to be afraid of. It's important to remember that.  That's why I call it the "mind threat."  It's a threat that exists solely in our minds.  Created by our past experiences and our egos.

What mind threats do you have?  

Sometimes we may not even know what our mind threats are until something sets them off.  Our minds are like a mine field.  But when something does trigger a mind threat, just be aware of it.  See what's going on.  Sit with it.  Just let it be.

That's how it will work its way out of your system.  Notice it, but notice it for what it is.  Not for what it isn't.

It isn't a real threat (first you must decide this, of course).
It isn't something you need to control.
It isn't something you need to push down, ignore, or stifle.

It's a part of you that you've been carrying around.
A part that doesn't serve your best interest or highest good.
A part that it's ok to let go of.  

Knowing the difference between mind threats and actual threats is important.  It's an ability you need to hone and grow.  How do you know the difference?

First, get quiet, get still, and let it be.  Don't immediately seek to do anything.

Sometimes it will be clear that it's a mind threat and not an actual threat within a few minutes.  Other times it might take a couple of days.  It depends how deep the issue runs for you.

If it's not something that genuinely requires immediate attention and action, just let it be for a while.  Don't fight it.  Don't do much of anything.  Give it time.

During this time relax your mind.  Relax your heart.  This will also help you to determine if this perceived threat is something that needs addressing, or something that's a mind threat.

It takes time and practice to get good at this.  Each perceived threat is an opportunity to improve and grow.  And what matters is that we all make an effort to improve and grow.

In peace and love,
Sarah