I notice a hesitancy in posting these days, as it all seems a little too obvious – and too general and too much of a repetition – to mention. But as it still comes up, I guess I need to hear it.
In doing the Byron Katie inquiries – and probably any other forms of inquiry – there can be several different agendas behind it.
There can be an intention to…
- Hold onto the belief
It seems too true, or too valuable, for me to question it. Or the implications of questioning it seem too wide-reaching. This seems to be a problem in the very beginning of inquiry, before we see – over and over – the release and clarity that comes out of it. - Get rid of the belief
We either want a particular belief to go away, or – as in my case – any and all beliefs to go away. I notice that I sometimes inquire partly to uncover the dynamics around the belief, but also partly with the intention to have it go away. - Change the situation…
miraculously, through inquiry. For instance, I may have an addiction I hope will clear up through inquiry, or money problems, health problems, relationship problems and so on.
I notice that when these are present for me there is also a discomfort throughout the inquiry. And this discomfort is a sign that there are underlying beliefs about inquiry waiting to be explored through inquiry.
These underlying beliefs about inquiry…
- Prevents me from staying with the inquiry
A part of me keeps the intention in mind, compares whatever comes up with this desired outcome, analyzes whatever comes up in the light of this desired outcome, and so on. There is a whole level of filtering and processing going on which clouds over the simplicity of it. - Filter the content of inquiry
They filter what comes up, possibly leaving out that which appears to not fit with the desired outcome. They also cloud over the simple seeing of what comes up. - Clouds it over
In general, it clouds over the simplicity of the inquiry, and the clear seeing of what comes up.
It seems that these intentions are typically more strongly present early on in doing inquiry.
As we become more familiar with inquiry, we start trusting the process and the clarity and wisdom that comes out of it. There is no need to add anything to the inherent simplicity of the process. And as we inquire into these underlying beliefs about inquiry, they tend to clear up as well.
Over and over, I see the effects of the process – and that it is simple. There is no need to add anything to it. I find a simple statement, I ask four questions and turn the statement around, and I do this with sincerity, a curiosity about the dynamics of this particular belief, a curiosity about what comes up as really true for me, and an interest in allowing it all to sink in – allowing it all to be simply seen.
And in this, I find – over and over – that the natural and inherent wisdom, clarity and compassion of mind takes over, allowing it all to reorganize, unfold, untie, unravel, in whatever way it needs to.
