FEARLESSNESS PROJECTS  
  Brief History of a Transformation  

I have long been intrigued with why humans are the only species that systematically ‘spoils its own nest’ and lives so neurotically in fear. I am curious what the basis of evil is, and why so many different viewpoints exist in answering both of the above questions. I have been perplexed by the differing views of fear and wondered why no one seemed to want to systematically study them. To make a long story short, I read everything I could on these topics. I had some personal crises that took me to face the deepest pain and terror I could have imagined. A couple key dreams unlocked some doors to my future purpose on this planet. I became very aware of what happens when one ‘stands up’ against the norm and sticks out their neck, risks, stumbles, and follows the truths they see.

A powerful transformative healing and loving relationship with an intimate partner further clarified that fear is the force that prevents love (using fear and love in the largest sense of those concepts). I have had a great many “teachers” who have, more or less, shown me the truth behind my own thought and experience with fear. In 1989, I helped birth the IN SEARCH OF FEARLESSNESS PROJECT with Catherine Sannuto, in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Two people with a lot of heart and vision but floundering to make it happen in this world. Through many trials and transformations, chaos and order, pleasure and pain, I have personally had to take on the visionary leadership for this ISOF Project alone. The following timeless ideas originally accompanied this fearlessness movement:

  • Thanks to Barbara Bickel for joining me with her gifts and commitment to ISOF in 1991.
  • ISOF Project belongs to no one and everyone, who is dedicated to the ongoing search for excellence and fearlessness together
  • ISOF Project is a counter-resistance movement to the dominating ‘Fear’ Project (or (‘Fear’ Matrix)
  • ISOF Project is a global human change project inspired by many others before us—we have put new words on the same counter-resistance movement of Spirit—it is a project based on the knowledge that every individual, within the limits of some conditions, can make a positive difference to the healthy maturation and functioning of other individuals and our collective organizations
  • virtually no one is free of some of the suffering, of the feelings and thoughts that are associated with what is commonly called “fear” or “terror” or “worry” (which some have called “sin” or “evil”) that go with living in our times of high risk and danger of global catastrophes
  • the sacred path of fearlessness is a choice we can make to live our lives handling fear and terror well, or poorly—and when humans collectively come together, under the ISOF Project name and spirit, there will be major progress toward creating a better world
  • ISOF Project was founded on the slogan, ‘I WON’T BE OVERWHELMED!’ (hundreds of t-shirts were made in the early 1990s and given out or sold). This statement reflects a fundamental premise that though we may often feel overwhelmed, especially as we fearlessly open our perceptions and awareness to what is going on around the globe in terms of fear-based destruction, we will not be overwhelmed. As a good friend, who has a long history of psychotic life experiences said, “I may feel crazy and devasted [at times] but I am not defeated.” The phrase ‘I’ won’t be overwhelmed!’ is the universal voice of all people speaking beyond fear in an act of personal resistance to the ‘Fear’ Project. It is the voice of our inherent goodness of Spirit rebelling, as essentially it must, to keep the soul of health intact, when it is under siege by all oppressions. This is the training ground for Sacred Warriorship and a new kind of Leadership.

    • “To know fearlessness, one must know everything about fear.”

    “To travel the liberation journey there are four basic (spiraling) phases and one path: From Victim to Survivor—across the ‘Fear’ Barrier—to Sacred Warrior (Magician) to Royal Leader”

    Specific Projects: They Came and Went and Continue

    I have learned immensely from the lessons of a “vision” of fearlessness, a community built around it, and the tragedies of working in a resistance movement that is difficult for most people to understand. I have thus, been continually passionate to experiment with organizations interested to be fearless, healing and learning communities, critical pedagogy and curriculum designs, and transformative fearless technologies available. Sometimes, we’ve had to make things up as we went. Below is a list of some of the specific projects I (and others, in some cases) have undertaken since 1989 (there are historical documents available for research purposes if anyone wishes to read more about these):

    1. Fear and fearlessness workshops (1989- 1998)
    2. Hurting and healing workshops (often usings arts-based ways) (1989-1998)
    3. In Search of Fearlessness Centre (Co-founded with Barbara Bickel)(1991- )
    4. In Search of Fearlessness Research Institute Publishing House (with Barbara Bickel) (1992- )
    5. Canadian-Colombian ‘Fear’ Vaccine Project (1995-1997)
    6. School of Sacred Warriorship (later, became Neo-Rebel School) (founded with Normand Bergeron) (1993-1996)
    7. Fearless Foundation (2000-2001)
    8. Fear Researchers/Practitioners Network (2000- )
    9. Fear Watch Institute (founded with Jan Sheppard) (1997- )
    10. Fear Studies/Education Curriculum Project (2002- )