In the presence of that inner no, I came to see that the world is always as it should be, whether I oppose it or not. But I came to see that the truth is itself and will not be dictated to by anyone. How could no be the right answer? Everyone I knew, and all the books, said that the answer should be yes. I would stand rooted in that answer-solitary, peaceful, free. Now I could finally inquire of every potentially uncomfortable story, “Can I absolutely know that it’s true?” And the answer, like the question, was an experience: no. And every story, prior to investigation, prevents us from seeing what’s true. Where reality is concerned, there is no “what should be.” There is only what is, just the way it is, right now. They seemed sensitive, kind, and caring, but as I heard them, I noticed that believing them caused stress and that they didn’t feel peaceful inside me.įor instance, when I heard someone say, “People should be more loving,” the question would arise in me, “Can I absolutely know that that’s true? Can I really know for myself, within myself, that people should be more loving? Even if the whole world tells me so, is it really true?” And, to my amazement, when I listened within myself, I saw that the world is what it is in this moment and that in this moment people couldn’t possibly be more loving than they were. Your concepts are based on a lifetime of uninvestigated beliefs.Īfter I woke up to reality in 1986, I noticed many times how people, in conversations, the media, and books, made statements such as “There isn’t enough understanding in the world,” “There’s too much violence,” “We should love one another more.” These were stories I used to believe too. If your answer to question 1 is yes, ask yourself, “Can I absolutely know that it’s true?” In many cases, the statement appears to be true. “ Can you absolutely know that it's true?Ĭonsider these questions: “In this situation, can I absolutely know that it’s true that Paul isn’t listening to me? Can I ever really know when someone is listening or not? Am I sometimes listening even when I appear not to be?” Be gentle as you give yourself to inquiry. As you continue to dive deeper, allow the truth within you to rise and meet the question. This can be very unsettling at first, because you’re entering the unknown. You are listening for your answers now, not other people’s, and not anything you have been taught. (If it’s no, move to question 3.) The Work is about discovering what is true from the deepest part of yourself. When asking the first question, take your time. Without the Without the “should” and “shouldn’t,” we can see reality as it is, and this leaves us free to act efficiently, clearly, and sanely. In reality, there is no such thing as a “should” or a “shouldn’t.” These are only thoughts that we superimpose onto reality. “It shouldn’t be raining” is just a thought. Whether you like it or not, it’s raining now. The truth is whatever is in front of you, whatever is really happening. You’re looking for freedom outside yourself. ,” this is not the one-syllable answer you are looking for, and you’re no longer doing The Work. Notice if you experience any defense as you answer. (The answer to the first two questions is just one syllable long it’s either yes or no. Let the mind ask the question, and wait for the answer that surfaces. If you really want to know the truth, the honest yes or no from within will rise to meet the question as you recall that situation in your mind’s eye. An Excerpt from A Mind at Home with Itself Is it true?Īs you consider the situation again, ask yourself, “Is it true that Paul doesn’t listen to me?” Be still.
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