How to Use Fear and Not Let It Use You: Talk with Rick Hanson 11/1/23 

Best I’ve heard to date. Thanks

Thank you Rick. Fear plays a major role in my life, particularly needless fear. Having GAD and panic disorder for 30 years - particularly manifested as health anxiety, somatoform issues, depersonalization etc. but there are other more subtle expressions to be sure including social anxiety - the impacts on me internally and functionally have been widespread. Especially when it also leads me into a bout of depression (double whammy). During "good" periods I tend to float along in what I used to self-describe as (erroneously as I see now) "functional anxiety" - getting things done etc. but still a background sense of fear. But taking a birdseye view I can see just how much it has kept me from fully living a more fundamentally happy and contented life. I am extremely grateful to you and other teachers for helping me find and use, practically, tools to achieve more lasting positive states (and traits). In particular, your work on Taking in the Good, self-directed re-wiring of the brain, have been a tremendously supportive adjunct to my practice. I feel this should be standard curriculum in education systems everywhere. What I think is particularly key - and again something I didnt really see until relatively recently - is the importance of applying these tools and practices not just when we are in midst of a very difficult patch of anxiety/depression, but during the better periods as well. Perhaps it was part of my personality trait that I would tend to largely neglect my practice when "life is good", and then run to it frantically when things are bad (a type of grasping), but here I feel I am finally seeing this more wisely. Classic CBT is helpful, perhaps even core foundational, but in my case I feel I really benefit from tools that expand on this in applicable ways. You have a great and unique gift in being able to teach these deeper tools in ways that are practical, understandable and not overly conceptual, theoretical or whispy spiritual woo-woo. Metta.

Threats I’ve learned to live with but peace and contentment are hard. I believe it’s critical to find them but so elusive. I want them, that’s why I’m here listening to you. I think you may know them because you’ve been working on it. I don’t think it’s that complicated and may be easy to overlook. Nothing lasts so it’s best to find your own happiness; each and every one.

So powerful. This talk sums up exactly where we are right now and how to stay sane. Thank you. Thank you. 🙏

Thanks Rick. This talk helped me at a challenging time with a sick, elderly parent. I’ve worked with my fear for many years and find the practice of simply noticing when tension has accumulated in the body (often in the midriff or genital area) helps me breathe out and release. Keep up the great work 🙏🏽

Wow that was very informative!! Thank you for doing this video. I was telling my therapist that I listen to you and Forrest and she suggested that I listen to you alone too. I just feel like I could never do CBT perfect enough and find that I get stuck and can't change my thoughts but I can however change my beliefs!!

Answer: Do as all my relatives do. Don’t think about anything. Ignore everything and don’t bother with it.

Thank you for posting this. You mentioned a biofeedback device I am wondering if you can add a link to it. Thank you again for your time and calm and kind demeanor.

❤🖖

Can you post the meditation?

I'm 25 minutes in and you're scaring me more.....having trouble getting to the end. What's the remedy....