4 Ways To Overcome Your Fears - Friedrich Nietzsche (Existentialism)

Friedrich Nietzsche, was a renowned  German philosopher of the 19th century, known for his profound and provocative  ideas on various aspects of human existence. A core component of his philosophy was  the well-beloved theory of existentialism, which emphasizes the existence of the individual  person as a free and responsible agent, determining their own development through acts  of will. Nietzsche authored several influential books, including "Thus Spoke Zarathustra,"  "Beyond Good and Evil," and “The Gay Science”.

In these writings, he delves into concepts  such as the will to power, the Ubermensch, or superman, and the eternal recurrence. He  encourages individuals to question societal norms and cultivate their own values,  asserting that true fulfillment comes from embracing one's unique individuality  and overcoming self-imposed limitations. Regarding fear, Nietzsche suggests that it can  hinder our growth and potential.

He asserts that fear often stems from a sense of powerlessness  or a resistance to confronting the unknown. Indeed he challenges us to confront our fears  head-on, viewing them as opportunities for personal transformation. He believed that by  embracing our fears and transcending them, we can unleash our inner strength and achieve  self-mastery.

Which is why In this video, we explore four ways to overcome your fears  inspired by the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. Change your perspective about fear Nieszche said: "Fear is the mother of morality. " In this quote, Nietzsche emphasizes the  significant impact of fear on people's moral decisions.

He believes that the fear of punishment  or facing consequences, whether from society, religion, or within oneself, leads individuals to  follow certain moral rules and behave in specific ways. This fear of consequences can shape the  moral values of individuals and entire societies. Nietzsche connects the influence of fear on moral  values to two contrasting moral frameworks: slave morality and master morality.

Slave morality,  according to Nietzsche, is characterized by the values of the oppressed and weak, emphasizing  virtues like humility, meekness, and obedience. On the other hand, master morality represents the  values of the strong and powerful, valuing traits such as strength, assertiveness, and capability. Within the context of slave morality, fear can be seen as a reaction rooted in a sense of  powerlessness and vulnerability.

Its often associated with the fear of punishment, judgment,  or loss of control. From this perspective, individuals may adopt a submissive or avoidant  stance, allowing fear to dictate their actions and limit their potential. However, Nietzsche  wants us to change how we think about fear.

He says fear doesn't always come from the events  themselves, but from how we see and understand them. So, he suggests we challenge our views and  really think about whether our fears are valid. By doing this, Nietzsche believes we can overcome  the limitations of feeling weak or submissive like in slave morality.

Instead, we can be more  confident and courageous like in master morality. We can see fear as a chance to grow and learn  about ourselves. Instead of running away from challenges, we can face our fears and use them  to motivate us to become better and stronger.

To illustrate this concept, let's consider an  example: Imagine a person who has a deep fear of public speaking. Whenever they are faced with  the prospect of speaking in front of a crowd, they experience intense anxiety and a strong  desire to avoid the situation altogether. From their perspective, public speaking is a source of  immense fear and potential embarrassment.

However, Nietzsche would encourage this individual to  question their perception of public speaking and examine the basis of their fears. They could ask  themselves: What is it about public speaking that generates fear? Is the fear based on a rational  assessment of the situation, or is it influenced by personal insecurities or societal expectations?

Through introspection and self-reflection, the individual may uncover that their fear stems  from concerns about being judged, making mistakes, or not meeting expectations. As the individual  continues to challenge their perspective towards public speaking, they may realize that their  initial fears were exaggerated or based on unfounded assumptions. Nietzsche would urge  them to challenge these interpretations and reframe their understanding of public speaking. 

They could consider the opportunity it presents for self-expression, sharing valuable  insights, and connecting with others. Nietzsche would then advocate for them to confront  their fear head-on and embrace the discomfort. They could start by taking small steps, such as  speaking in front of supportive friends or joining a public speaking group, gradually building their  confidence and expanding their comfort zone.

They might discover hidden strengths, develop  effective communication skills, and experience personal transformation. Nietzsche would view  this as an example of changing one's perspective towards fear and harnessing its transformative  potential. Through self-reflection, introspection, and actively confronting our fears, we have the  opportunity to transcend limitations and grow.

2. Overcome yourself As Nietzsche once so famously said, “What  doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. ” Central to his philosophy is the concept of  the "will to power.

" Nietzsche believed that the fundamental drive in all living beings  is the desire for power and self-assertion. The "will to power" means the inner drive in  people to seek mastery, influence the world, and overcome challenges. Its like a dynamic  force that pushes individuals to grow and express themselves in different ways. 

Nietzsche thought this drive was what motivates human actions, ambitions, and  even how culture and societies develop. Nietzsche encouraged people to embrace challenges  and push beyond their limits to practice the will to power. By facing and overcoming  difficulties, individuals can become stronger, improve their abilities, and grow personally.

He  wanted people to step out of their comfort zones, question traditional norms and values,  and create their own unique path in life. Let's imagine a person who is afraid of being  vulnerable and finds it difficult to form close connections with others. To practice  the "will to power" in this situation, they can take steps to confront their  fear and build meaningful relationships.

First, they can think about why they have this  fear and where it comes from. Understanding the reasons behind their fear can be helpful.  Next, they can start opening up a little at a time and sharing their thoughts and feelings with  people they trust, like friends or family.

Taking small steps to be more open can help them build  trust and create a safe space for vulnerability. They can also work on being good listeners and  understanding how others feel. By genuinely caring about what others have to say, they can create  a strong bond.

Finding activities or groups that can share their interests can be helpful too.  Engaging in things they enjoy with like-minded people can lead to stronger relationships. To  practice the "will to power" in relationships, one can also try to have difficult  conversations and address problems directly.

By talking openly about their feelings  and listening to the other person's perspective, they can build better understanding and trust. As they keep facing their fear of vulnerability and work on building meaningful  relationships, they can grow as a person and form deep connections with others.  Over time, their ability to love, trust, and be close with people will become stronger.

One  way to practice the will to power is by setting ambitious goals and actively working towards their  realization. By pushing ourselves to achieve what may initially seem daunting or even impossible,  we tap into our inner strength and determination Its important to note that Nietzsche's concept  of the will to power does not imply a ruthless pursuit of dominance over others. Instead, it  emphasizes self-mastery, self-actualization, and the pursuit of individual potential. 

Nietzsche believed that true strength lies in overcoming oneself and achieving personal  excellence rather than seeking power over others. 3. Challenge herd mentality According to Nietzsche "Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups,  parties, nations, and ages, it is the rule.

" In this quote, Nietzsche is expressing his  observation that while individual madness may be uncommon, when people come together as a  group, there is a tendency for certain irrational behaviors or beliefs to prevail. He criticizes the  collective mentality, implying that groups often exhibit a "herd mentality" where individuals  conform to the group's beliefs, opinions, or actions without critically questioning them. Nietzsche is saying that when people just follow what everyone else thinks without really thinking  for themselves, they can end up trapped in a "herd mentality.

" This means they act like everyone else  in the group, without being true to themselves. They do this because they fear being  left out or disliked by the group. Nietzsche believes that this herd mentality,  while it provides safety within a group, stops people from being unique  and reaching their full potential.

They give up their own ideas and  desires to fit in with the group. This leads to everyone being average  and not doing anything new or exciting. To break free from the herd mentality,  Nietzsche says people should be brave and follow their own values and ambitions.

They  should question what everyone else believes, think for themselves, and go their own way. He  thinks that even though it might be hard and some people might not like it, being true to  yourself is worth it in the end. It lets you be your best and most authentic self, which can  lead to great achievements and personal growth.

Let's consider the example of Rosa Parks,  an African American civil rights activist, whose actions challenged the herd mentality and  societal norms of racial segregation in the United States. During the 1950s, racial segregation was  deeply ingrained in American society, particularly in the southern states. African Americans  were subjected to discriminatory laws that enforced separate facilities for black and white  citizens, including separate seating arrangements on buses.

These laws were supported by the  majority, and societal pressure dictated that African Americans should conform to these norms.  Bravely, Rosa challenged this norm by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger on  December the 1st, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama. Her civil act of disobedience sparked the  Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement.

Rosa Parks rejected  the prevailing herd mentality and became an icon of resistance against racial oppression.  Her actions and the subsequent boycott highlighted the injustice of segregation,  inspiring others to question and challenge the prevailing societal norms. Nietzsche would  view Rosa Parks as an exceptional individual who refused to conform to the herd instinct  driven by fear and the desire for acceptance.

By asserting her individuality and refusing to be  complicit in the perpetuation of segregation, she exemplified Nietzsche's belief in the importance  of embracing one's own values and ambitions. Taking cues from Parks’ iconic example, you  can confront herd mentality by recognizing the importance of your own values and ambitions.  Understand what truly matters to you and what you stand for.

This self-awareness forms the  foundation for asserting your individuality. Start challengeing prevailing norms and  assumptions. Don't accept things blindly or simply because "everyone else does it.

" Ask  critical questions, seek alternative perspectives, and be open to exploring new ideas. Breaking  away from the herd requires courage. Recognize that going against the grain might invite  criticism or rejection, but understand that staying true to yourself is worth the risk.

Find strength in your convictions and be prepared to stand up for what you believe in.  Seek out like-minded individuals who appreciate and respect your individuality. Build a network of  supportive friends, mentors, or communities that encourage your growth and provide constructive  feedback.

By living authentically and embracing your individuality, you can inspire others  to do the same. Your actions can serve as a catalyst for positive change and encourage  others to question the herd mentality. 4.

Embrace your fate In our final quote from Nieszche for this video, he says "Amor Fati –  Love Your Fate, which is in fact your life. ” Nietzsche's life was marked by a multitude of  physical and mental ailments, including digestive problems, troubled vision, and mental health  issues. He culminated in a complete breakdown in Turin at the age of 44, from which he never  fully recovered.

However, Nietzsche did not perceive his afflictions as limiting factors.  Instead, he embraced his circumstances and drew inspiration from them to create some of his most  brilliant works. Despite the physical and mental obstacles he faced, Nietzsche's acceptance and  love for his fate, encompassing both positive and negative aspects, fueled his ability to unlock  his full potential as a philosopher, thinker, and writer.

At the core of his philosophy lies  the concept of "Amor Fati," or the "love of fate. " This profound concept holds invaluable wisdom for  overcoming fear and living fearlessly. It invites individuals to wholeheartedly embrace every aspect  of their lives, including events both favorable and unfavorable, with love and acceptance.

Let's consider the journey of a musician, deeply passionate and committed to their  craft, dedicating their life to creating music and pursuing a successful career. Along this  journey, they inevitably encounter setbacks such as rejections from record labels, unsuccessful  performances, and disappointments in their artistic development. Initially, these setbacks  may evoke fear and doubt, causing the musician to question their abilities and contemplate giving  up on their musical aspirations.

However, rather than succumbing to negativity, this musician  chooses to adopt the philosophy of "Amor Fati. " They understand that in order to thrive and grow  as an artist, they must shift their perspective. They view failures not as insurmountable  obstacles, but as valuable learning opportunities that provide them with wisdom and resilience.

Through the lens of "Amor Fati," the musician recognizes that each setback contributes to their  personal and artistic growth. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, they focus on improving their  musical skills, refining their creative process, and adapting their approach. With a fearless  mindset firmly in place, this musician refuses to let the fear of failure hinder their journey. 

They embrace setbacks as inherent aspects of the artistic path, understanding that these  setbacks don’t define their worth or potential. They forge ahead with resilience and  determination, undeterred by fear. By applying the principles of "Amor Fati,"  the musician's musical trajectory takes on a new dimension.

They discover strength,  resilience, and purpose in the face of adversity. Each setback encountered becomes  an opportunity for growth and serves to make them stronger and more fearless. They become  the architects of their own musical success, harnessing the power of their fate to  drive personal and artistic growth, and expressing their unique voice  to the world through their music.

The journey of life is not a linear path devoid  of challenges. It presents us with tests that assess our abilities, temperament, and patience.  Denying this reality means denying life itself.

Just as removing oxygen from water alters its  essence, removing the ups and downs from life renders it incomplete. Therefore, embracing life  in its entirety, including both the favorable and unfavorable, is essential. Paradoxically, the  presence of hardships enhances our appreciation of the good moments, fostering gratitude and  preventing us from taking blessings for granted.

Sometimes, what initially appears unfavorable may,  in fact, be a disguised opportunity for growth and transformation. By embracing the philosophy of  "Amor Fati," we recognize that our fate is not something to be feared or resisted, but a force  that can propel us towards our fullest potential. If you enjoyed this video, please make  sure to check out our full philosophies for life playlist and for more videos to  help you find success and happiness using ancient philosophical wisdom, don’t forget  to subscribe.

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