Another statement not aligned with my conscious view, but one that may still be there somewhere. This one comes up when I have worked towards something for a while, and the rug gets pulled out from under my feet at the last moment.

The universe is out to get me.

1. Yes (Sometimes, it seems that way.)
   
   
2. No (Cannot know that for sure. Also, cannot know what is best for my path.)
   
   
3. What happens when I believe that thought?
   
   Fear of what may be next. Sense of living in an unpredictable universe, able to hurt me in various ways - or at least mess up my plans and intentions. Sense of insecurity. Sense of having to watch my back, yet knowing I won't be able to. Sense of being at the mercy of vastly larger forces. Sense of being a leaf in the storm. A victim.
   
   
4. Who or what would I be without that thought?
   
   I would be clear. OK with what is. Able to enjoy whatever is happening, whether it corresponds with my plans and hopes or not. Able to be with whatever is happening. Able to relate to the present from clarity. Take things in stride. Responsive to the situation and do what seems appropriate. Able to modify plans according to new situations, and be OK with it or even enjoy it.
   
   
5. (a) The universe is not out to get me.
   
   That seems as or more true. If it was really out to get me, I wouldn't be around now. And if it only meant to torture me, it could certainly do a better job at it.
   
   >> (b) I am out to get me.
   
   Yes, that is definitely as or more true. I am out to get me. Yes. I do that whenever I create stories about how the universe is out to get me. I actually do that when I believe in any stressful and unexamined story. I am the one out to get me.
   
   (c) My thoughts are out to get me.
   
   Yes, that is certainly true. My thoughts are out to get me, when I believe in them. Or I could say that they are out to get me, in the sense that they put out a bait and if I take it (believe in them), they get me. Every time. Of course, they are really completely innocent in this, but it can certainly appear as if they are out to get me.
   
   (d) Others are out to get me.
   
   Yes, I guess so. At least, they sometimes appear to want something from me.
   
   (e) Others are not out to get me.
   
   That seems more true. If they appear to want something from me, or "get" me in one way or another, it is because they believe in a thought.
   
   
6. I look forward to the Universe being out to get me.
   
   Yes, because it will tell me whether I still believe that story, and if there is more to inquire into. It will explode the bomb, and allow me to explore it further.
   
   

1. Yes (I can find that in me.)
   
   
2. No (Cannot know that is true. Also, cannot know that would be best for my path. Actually, it is quite certain it would not - it would be quite a disaster in every way if it was true.)
   
   
3. What happens when I believe that thought?
   
   Irritated whenever the universe does not follow my plans and intentions. Annoyed. Get caught up in the irritation and annoyance of it. Get stuck. Less responsive to the situation. Less able to adapt and change my plans and intentions. Sense of separation from the universe, others, myself.
   
   
4. Who or what would I be without that thought?
   
   OK with what is. Receptive to the situation. Flexible. Fluid. Sense of intimacy with what is - the universe, others, myself. Clear. Free from being offended or annoyed when the universe shows up different from my expectations and plans.
   
   
5. (a) The Universe should not play to my slightest whims.
   
   That is certainly as or more true. It would be a disaster if it did, for myself and everyone/thing else. Also, by not playing to all my whims, it allows me an opportunity to see when I am stuck in ideas of how it should be. It invites me to become more aligned with what is.
   
   >> (b) I should play to my slightest whims.
   
   That feels far more true. I should be responsive to myself, to my own slightest whims. I should take whatever comes up seriously, especially my wishes and intentions. There is valuable information and valuable gifts in those impulses.
   
   Also, in the context of this form of inquiry, I should pay attention to my whims - especially when they conflict with what is - as it gives me more fodder for inquiry.
   

Labels: own inquiry