I worked on shameful thought with my partner (Kim) and when doing the TA I remembered that I had already shared this shameful thought with my ex (after we split some years ago) and nothing bad happened.
I also were more clear about this thought is very common – I guess 😉
What I love about The Work is that we often remember things during inquiry that we hadn’t thought of before! I always wonder: could it be that we create (and thus modify) our memories on the spot? 🙂
During this particular exercise with my partner, it became clear that the original shameful thought wasn’t even something I really wanted to begin with. And I expended a lot of energy and effort to “deal” with the thought that wasn’t even a real thing! My mind is so tangled up within itself. Brought me to the quote from the beginning of class – I might mess this up, but hopefully get this gist here: A thought not allowed to be here gains the exact amount of power needed to suppress it.
“My mind is so tangled up within itself” This reminds me of the quote of Mooji: “The idea you have of who you are, is suffering from ideas it has about itself”
A question has come to mind. How do I not believe my thoughts? They are so incessant and are constant! How do I not identify myself with them? They seem to define the personality. They tell us who we are, who others are . ALL THE TIME!
I have questioned some thoughts through the work – not every thought causes stress, but still may not be true! It just seems like madness!
You already gave the answer, Kim: “They seem to define the personality”. I guess, the question is not how not to believe your thoughts. The real question is: “Who are you?” Are you the one believing your thoughts, or are you the one observing the person believing her thoughts? Who wants to know how not to believe thoughts? In my experience, there is no answer to this question other than an internal experience.
Meditation and The Work can take you there. Just keep going. Take one step at the time. You can even question: “I need to know how to stop believing my thoughts, is that true?” Or: “My thoughts are so incessant and constant, is that true?”
6 Comments
Helga Birgisdóttir · October 5, 2022 at 5:35 pm
I worked on shameful thought with my partner (Kim) and when doing the TA I remembered that I had already shared this shameful thought with my ex (after we split some years ago) and nothing bad happened.
I also were more clear about this thought is very common – I guess 😉
marijketops · October 5, 2022 at 6:56 pm
What I love about The Work is that we often remember things during inquiry that we hadn’t thought of before! I always wonder: could it be that we create (and thus modify) our memories on the spot? 🙂
Kim Kaufman · October 7, 2022 at 4:27 am
During this particular exercise with my partner, it became clear that the original shameful thought wasn’t even something I really wanted to begin with. And I expended a lot of energy and effort to “deal” with the thought that wasn’t even a real thing! My mind is so tangled up within itself. Brought me to the quote from the beginning of class – I might mess this up, but hopefully get this gist here: A thought not allowed to be here gains the exact amount of power needed to suppress it.
marijketops · October 7, 2022 at 8:54 am
“My mind is so tangled up within itself” This reminds me of the quote of Mooji: “The idea you have of who you are, is suffering from ideas it has about itself”
Kim Kaufman · October 7, 2022 at 4:30 am
A question has come to mind. How do I not believe my thoughts? They are so incessant and are constant! How do I not identify myself with them? They seem to define the personality. They tell us who we are, who others are . ALL THE TIME!
I have questioned some thoughts through the work – not every thought causes stress, but still may not be true! It just seems like madness!
marijketops · October 7, 2022 at 9:00 am
You already gave the answer, Kim: “They seem to define the personality”. I guess, the question is not how not to believe your thoughts. The real question is: “Who are you?” Are you the one believing your thoughts, or are you the one observing the person believing her thoughts? Who wants to know how not to believe thoughts? In my experience, there is no answer to this question other than an internal experience.
Meditation and The Work can take you there. Just keep going. Take one step at the time. You can even question: “I need to know how to stop believing my thoughts, is that true?” Or: “My thoughts are so incessant and constant, is that true?”