How to Develop the Situational Awareness of Jason Bourne

The art of Manliness ^ | Feb 2015 | Brett & Kate McKay

[Baynative]

There's a scene at the beginning of The Bourne Identity where the film's protagonist is sitting in a diner, trying to figure out who he is and why he has a bunch of passports and a gun stashed in a safety deposit box. Bourne also notices that he, well, notices things that other people don't.

~snip~

...situational awareness is simply knowing what's going on around you. It sounds easy in principle, but in reality requires much practice. And while it is taught to soldiers, law enforcement officers, and yes, government-trained assassins, it's an important skill for civilians to learn as well. In a dangerous situation, being aware of a threat even seconds before everyone else can keep you and your loved ones safe.

[semaj]

"You've got to become still."

Reminds me of my old sensei.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

That’s what really struck me...this was a suburban white boy just going about his regular business in small and medium towns and big cities. Good parts of town. No dope fiends or druggies where I go. It just shows this “element” knows no boundaries.

[Carthego delenda est]

“I don’t want the situational awareness of Bourne.”

Living in a constant state of “fight or flight” is very draining. Many returning combat veterans struggle daily to try and escape from that kind of reality.

[discostu]

Maybe it’s because you’re suburban. I grew up urban. There’s a different way of walking down the street. Well there’s a few different ways. The one I learned growing up was “don’t care, not participating, not claiming territory”. Suburbanites, growing up in wider spaces tend to “acquire” more space than they really want to defend. I don’t seize territory so I don’t have to defend it. I’m just a boring white boy passing through giving no indication of being worth the trouble to mug.

[Eaker]

Most people don't take the time to learn this stuff because the individual threat level is low - until your number comes up.

So true!

[frog in a pot]

Grew up in Menlo Park and knew every street there and in Palo Alto (had a thriving 1-man lawn mowing business by age 13).

The two events you described were extremely rare in those days. Certainly, there would be fewer such events today if there were meaningful consequences. Times are a changing and, frankly, not without a noticeable cost.

[LongWayHome]

It’s something that’s ingrained in you....it’s learned over years.

[Carthego delenda est]

“I carry a coffee can behind the seat in the car with a multi tool, 50 feet of parachute chord, a half dozen bic lighters a roll of toilet paper, a couple of space blankets etc.”

I suppose many people who live in populated areas don’t keep things like that in their vehicle. Once you get further out in the sticks, it seems just a basic necessity to have. I keep mine in a .50 cal can behind the pickup seat. There isn’t much that can’t be at least temporarily repaired with a roll of duct tape and a spool of tie wire too.

[Nailbiter]

One way to train yourself to see things is to use dresser drawer.

Empty drawer- have someone put ordinary items in drawer one layer in depth.
Close drawer, open drawer look at items for 30 seconds close drawer.
Describe placement of descrition of items.

First couple times is difficult, keep practicing, after awhile you will be able to describe items and placement without thinking.
Another way is to look at town street same way 30 seconds turn around, name cars parked,colors makes, describe people on street.
Again after some practice t becomes second nature.

Best thing is to trust your inner voice, many times the subconscious registers danger, when conscious mind does not.

[LongWayHome]

The level of awareness this author is talking about borders on ESP, and that’s what I’m talking about. I was out eating at an establishment on evening & I was the only person out of 70 or 80 folks who seen 2 guys case the place for several minutes before they robbed it. I was not carrying at the time, but I got my friends out the door before the trouble went down.

I grew up in a dangerous, low middle class/poor neighborhood where everyday that you went out the door you were likely to catch a beating, or worse. You learn to read body language real fast in that kind of environment.

[o_1_2_3__]

Who was that FReeper whose tagline said something like, “Be polite, be professional, and have a plan to for killing everyone you meet”?

[relentlessly]

Sounds a lot like profiling. Works for me.

[o_1_2_3__]

"You've got to become still."

Yeah but you can spot those guys a mile away.

[AFreeBird]

L8r

[Duchess47]

Great article, thank you.

[LongWayHome]

Great points.

[Hot Tabasco]

Mind your hands. Use peripheral vision. Practice silence and stillness on your own.

Whoa, your post is profound.........Are you a ninja?

[roadcat]

Have the same set of lights been following you since you left the Mall, following you into your subdivision and onto your street?

It's a good idea to know where the local police stations are. One time a crazed road rage driver followed me (he tried to illegally cut me off but I closed the gap and he got angry at me), and I led him straight to the local police station near my home, parked right in front of the entrance where cops can look out the doors. I got out and motioned him to follow me inside, but he scrammed out of there.

[PeteB570]

You had roving eyes. While eating and conversing with your friends you were also looking around noticing things.

Most people could look across a table at their friend and not notice the person behind the friend standing up and drawing a gun. Their focus is narrow - like the person walking to their car.

You noticed the individuals because 1. You were looking 2. They were not acting like a normal person and 3. Once you noticed you looked closer.

That can be learned - but the person has to want to.

[Daffynition]

Respectfully, I suggest this book

I came across it years ago [yes, B4 Oprah discovered it, *sigh*] and it put into *words* things like the peace I was seeking.

FWIW, Tolle is not a *NewAge guru*, he's just a man who has the ability to be still. **True intelligence operates silently. Stillness is where creativity and solutions to problems are found.**

I learned from watching animals and my beloved father watching things....most especially my pets as I grew up. E.g., when I let my dog out to do his *business*, I open the door on the back porch and prop it open. He stops and sits on the top step for a better view to survey the yard ...he hardly moves ...just taking everything through sight and sound and smell, B4 he eventually leaps to do his thing. Watch a house cat watching, and you'll know what I mean. Read *Stillness Speaks* and you'll know what I mean. Use the *eye*, not the *I*. :)

Merry Christmas and a very Happy, Healthy New Year!