Is that True? This is the process of inquiry, or what Byron Katie calls “The Work.” We take a belief that seems to cause some discomfort, and we question it.
We ask, “Is it true that my parents shouldn’t judge me”, for example.
The answer to this question is simply yes or no. If the answer is, “Yes, it’s true, they shouldn’t judge me.” Then we ask, “Can you absolutely know that it’s true, your belief that your parents shouldn’t judge you?”
And this is the real “moment of truth” so to speak. This is where you must decide if you truly want peace. If you stay firm to your story that your thought is true, then it really isn’t necessary to go any further. Keep your story and all that comes with it.
If however, you are willing, even slightly, to entertain the possibility that you’re not right about what your parents should or shouldn’t do... If you are willing to let go of your own judgment about them, and how they should live their lives... If you are open enough to “Sell your cleverness, and purchase bewilderment” as the poet Rumi would say, then you are ready to go on to the next question.
How do you react when you believe the thought, “My parents shouldn’t judge me” and they are judging you? Do you get uncomfortable, restless, or upset? Do you become defensive and irritable? Do you at all forfeit your peace? Consider it.
If so, consider how your experience might be different without the thought?. Who would you be without the thought, “My parent’s shouldn’t judge me” when they are? How would it be for you to stop judging them, and the reality of what is happening, instead of just expecting them to? Would you feel more peaceful, accepting, and at ease? More in harmony with the way things are? This is the way of it. Instead of imposing our should’s and shouldn'ts on others in our lives, we try it ourselves. We stop judging them, including their judgmental attitudes, and we experience more peace ourselves, because we are more accepting of the way things are.
0 comments:
Post a Comment