The book Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker is worth reading. Its general argument is that fear is good for you. But it is important to know the difference between anxiety (which is bad for you, and also unnecessary) and fear. Fear is a natural psycho-physiological reaction to circumstances that is evolutionaily designed to assist in survival. It is good training to have experiences that let you become familiar with the sensation of fear, so that you can use your fear effectively instead of getting overwhelmed by it. Like they say - courage is what you get after you do the things that scare you. Another interesting read is the Carlos Castenada books about the Teachings of Don Juan. He says that on the spritual journey the first enemy that you have to defeat (or else you will fail) is fear. The second is confidence, and the third is old age.

"There's nothing to fear but Fear itself."...
- Oingo Boingo (and FDR?)
I read Castenada in Junior High. Don't most people now consider him a fraud?

Anywho, if my post was one of the erased ones, basically I was just saying that we get increased pulse, bp, respiration, perspiration, etc. before we experience psychological fear in most cases (and according to most theorists like James Lange, Walter Cannon, etc.).

The common sense view that we experience the emotion of fear first & then get these sympathetic nervous system changes is definitely incorrect. The changes occur first. In an extreme example, your feets could really be doing their stuff before you are feeling afraid.

By the way, this may explain certain acts of heroism. You react before the dangerousness of the situation sinks in. Good thing you didn't have time to think about first or you never would have done it, etc. Does this apply to fighting? Of course.

So, fear is very automatic. That said it is still possible to train for, & thus habituate to, fearful situations. You do not want your sympathetic nervous system to work against you if you are a trained MA. A little fear can be good though. Find the balance.

"Seek balance in all things and the scales will be weighted in your favor."
- Dragonprawn

"You react before the dangerousness of the situation sinks in"

May be true in some cases... but I've stepped in to lots of situations where I was fully aware of the 'dangerousness' but did what needed to be done to help somebody and in some cases, some animal.

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself."
Winston Churchill

Shane - Of course.

Walter - Of course.

When a man starts to learn, he is never clear about his objectives. His purpose is faulty; his intent is vague. He hopes for rewards that will never materialize, for he knows nothing of the hardships of learning.

He slowly begins to learn - bit by bit at first, then in big chunks. And his thoughts soon clash. What he learns is never what he pictured, or imagined, and he begins to be afraid. Learning is never what one expects. Every step of learning a new task is a challenge, and the fear the man is experiencing begins to mount mercilessly, unyieldingly. His purpose becomes a battlefield.

And thus he has scrumbled on the first of his natural enemies: Fear! A terrible enemy - treacherous and difficult to overcome. It remains concealed at every turn of the way, prowling, waiting. And if the man, terrified in its presence, runs away, his enemy will have put an end to his quest.

"What will happen to a man if he runs away in fear?"

Nothing will happen to him except that he will never learn. He will never become a man of knowledge. He will perhaps be a bully or a harmless, scared man; at any rate, he will be a defeated man. His first enemy will have put an end to his cravings.

"And what can he do to overcome fear?"

The answer is very simple. He must not run away. He must defy his fear, and in spite of it, he must take the next step in learning, and the next, and the next. He must be fully afraid, and yet he must not stop. That is the rule! And a moment will come when his first enemy retreats. The man begins to feel sure of himself. His intent becomes stronger. Learning is no longer a terrifying task.

For a Japanese-y view of this topic, go to:

http://www.furyu.com/archives/issue9/fudoshin.html

and read "Immovable Spirit, Fudoshin and Its Continuing Relevence," by Stephan M. Fabian

This article mentions a terrorist act in Peru involving a Japanese ambassador as well as a religious connection to this state of mind.

This subject is a deep one (I've only got my toes in the water so far). I feel it merits study. Hope this article helps.