I’m driving home from work and the guy in the lane beside me, cuts in front of me.
Expletives pour from my mouth, the horn is honked. And thus begins a charged narrative about “that stupid jerk”. From this single encounter, an elaborate head-tale, a story I believe.
Byron Katie challenges the narrative:
- Is it true? (Yes or no. If no, move to question 3)
- Can you absolutely know that it’s true? (Yes or no)
- How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
- Who or what would you be without that thought?
My answers:
- No, I don’t know if he is actually a “stupid jerk”.
- –
- When I believe that he is, I’m angry, distracted and not fun to be around.
- Without that thought, I’m a better, peaceful version of me.
This questioning of truth opens my mind to the possibility that the tale I’ve woven is fact-less. Prompting me for a more grace-full response, settling my quick-to-react mind.
And I wonder to myself, where else in my life is the story I’m telling myself factual or just a bunch of thoughts I’ve decided to believe?
distillations.blog 