The Mind-Killers

An Introduction and Overview

Today, I will provide an overview of the “mind-killers” concept and why it’s central to making RARE SENSE® actionable. I also mentioned much of this in Episode 19 of my podcast. It’s a good audio/video complement to what’s written below, so I highly recommend checking it out in addition to reading this article.

The term “mind-killer” comes from the book Dune by Frank Herbert. Early in the story, the protagonist, Paul Atreides, is given a test by a member of the Bene Gesserit. This monk-like sisterhood achieves superhuman powers through years of mental and physical training. As a result, they are sought for their wisdom and counsel. In this instance, the Reverend Mother has Paul put his hand in a box that causes excruciating pain. If he removes it, she will kill him. She’s assessing his true nature by appraising his ability to stay calm, mindful, and measured instead of reacting instinctively in dire circumstances.

While undergoing this crucible, he utters these words:

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

This saying is known as the Litany Against Fear. It’s an invocation of sorts and a reminder that no matter what the situation, fear usually makes it worse by limiting your ability to act rationally. It can figuratively “kill” your mind at that moment. In a grave enough scenario, this severely reduces your overall chance of survival. So it may, in turn, literally kill you as well. However, if you can recognize your fear objectively and keep a level head, you dramatically improve your odds of addressing things appropriately and emerging alive, unscathed, and victorious. Acting as such is what we typically think of as courage. It’s doing something despite fear.

When I read that passage, it spoke to me on multiple levels. After twenty years in the military, I knew the acute terror that comes with life-threatening conditions like combat. But as someone who had spent a decade with crippling anxiety, I also knew what chronic fear felt like. This emotion was different from that referenced in Dune. It was an omnipresent background hum of perpetual worry and, in my case, the real mind-killer. It was the little-death of a thousand cuts I had self-inflicted for years.

Eventually, I realized that while this had been my main mind-killer, there were others. They had been less prevalent and powerful for me but every bit as real and destructive. Taking a complete inventory of my mentally unfit history, I identified seven of them in total that are best addressed in this order:

1. Oblivion

2. Storytelling

3. Suppression

4. Fear

5. Stagnation

6. Injury

7. Isolation

If you train in martial arts, you fight opponents. The more you study them and practice, the better equipped you are to counter their moves. To face the mind-killers, I had to do something similar with the adversaries in my head through mental training. It required showing up every day and repeatedly putting in the work. I made tons of mistakes and often failed. But eventually, I discovered effective countermeasures for every mind-killer. The more I used them, the easier things got.

Throughout upcoming content, I’ll discuss each of the seven mind-killers in depth and detail the most effective ways I’ve found to combat them. All of it is based on my experience as a case study of one performing hands-on self-experimentation. But the results can be extrapolated and applied to anyone because these are tendencies we all have to sabotage our mental health. The degree to which they affect any individual is unique, as is the appropriate mix of and emphasis on the various responses. But the overall basics are the same regardless of who you are.

Interestingly enough, I probably never would have read Dune if it weren’t for one of my best friends who implored me to do so before the most recent film adaptation’s release. It’s his favorite novel, and he often quotes the following line from the story:

The sleeper must awaken.

One of my preferred axioms is similar—know thyself. It was inscribed at the Temple of Apollo in Ancient Greece where, thousands of years ago, people traveled from far and wide to seek counsel and wisdom from another high priestess—the Pythia, better known as the Oracle of Delphi.

Sadly, most people don’t know anything about themselves. Facing the mind-killers is an opportunity to change that for the better. It’s a practice involving realizations that often feel like coming out of a dream or trance. This can be disorienting or uncomfortable. But it’s necessary and the start of a genuine pursuit of mind fitness—a path where only you will remain.

DISCLAIMER: RARE SENSE® content is not medical advice. Nor does it represent the official position or opinions of any other organization or person. If you require diagnosis or treatment for a mental or physical issue or illness, please seek it from a licensed professional.