6 STEPS TO CONSCIOUS CLARITY
The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual’s own reason and critical analysis – Dalai Lama
1. What?
2. Why?
3. What if?
4. How?
5. Who?
6. When?
The 6 steps listed above will help guide you through the myriad of misinformation prevalent not only in society at large, but contained within our own negative mental chatter and limiting beliefs by encouraging you to enter your own Hall of Mirrors, herein referred to as ‘The Room of Radical Reflection’.
Here we will aim to dislodge the resistance which holds us back from living the life we truly desire by questioning long held beliefs, assertions and certainties imposed upon us by forces that, though they may desire to keep us safe, end up trapping us in a spiders web of paralysis analysis, leaving us simply the playthings of fear, fate and chaos.
This ‘room’ can be accessed anywhere as what it really refers to is a place within, an internal portal that we can retire to for in-depth introspection and yes, radical reflection. Radical because it requires, no, it demands that we exercise complete and utter honesty in the face of insecurity, impedance and doubt. That we throw off the comfort blanket of deflection and denial, the idea that we are a victim of circumstance rather than acquiescence. That we have had our own role to play in our suffering yet adversely can do so again, in our awakening. We must accept the part we have played in allowing others and society at large to impose their will, their bias and their control upon us. That is not to say that we should become a martyr for martyrdom’s sake, simply that we acknowledge how we got here, whilst also accepting that it is done and now we can choose where we go next but only by laying down the yoke of past sins, injuries and transgressions.
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek – Joseph Campbell
To navigate our way through The Room of Radical Reflection we need our very own Golden Compass. Like Lyra Silvertongue, the answers may have come easily in childhood yet in adulthood we often lose the ability to decipher the signals and so need to retrain our ability to be open and excited by life’s possibilities, cognisant of what we truly desire and courageous enough to follow through on the journey. To assist with this our compass will take the form of a journal, our ‘Soar Script’ if you will, and it will centre around one pivotal reflection;
What if?
What if it didn’t have to be this way? What if it didn’t have to be this hard? What if everything we’ve been told is wrong? What if there is a different way?
By following these steps, you will shake loose your innermost desires and ambitions by discovering your own North Star and plotting a realistic and achievable course towards it. Whilst how you choose to record these insights is entirely up to you, it has been found that having a ‘journaling toolkit,’ such as a lustrous notebook and special pen that you enjoy using makes the habit much easier and more enjoyable to maintain, making it feel more like a pleasant event rather than a necessary chore. My kids have taken to buying me beautiful notebooks and so the emotional connection presents a particularly rewarding trigger for me.
There can also be a benefit from writing by hand so long as you release the need for perfect technique and accept that the messy note taking typical of the stream of consciousness you are manifesting is why it works so well. Studies have shown,
As writing by hand requires more subtle and complicated motion from your fingers than typing, it actually increases activity in the brain's motor cortex, an effect that's similar to meditation. This explains why journaling can feel therapeutic and why it helps with mindfulness. – Kristin Wong
Begin by finding a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Take a few deep breaths to take the edge of the day then bring yourself into the present moment by dropping your focus from your head to your heart or hara (your energy centre, located below the belly button) or somewhere in between, wherever feels most comfortable for you and take a moment to clarify your intentions for this session;
To see yourself as you truly are
To seek the truth that sets you free
To set your course towards your North Star no matter the trials or tribulations
Now take your first step:
What?
What is the topic you want to explore?
What task, change or challenge do you want to conquer?
What are you currently doing that is not working?
What resistance to this challenge are you currently experiencing?
Give name to the fears and doubts that are holding you back, leaving you playing small and disconnected from life?
Why?
Now in response to each of your insights, go further and enquire why?
Why do you want to conquer this seemingly insurmountable challenge?
Why have you been continuing to follow a path that has proven to be ineffective?
Why are you experiencing resistance?
Why are you holding back, procrastinating, playing small?
Why does this generate so much fear?
What If?
Now embody a different perspective, a more resourceful perspective, a more open perspective. Ask yourself:
What if things could be different?
What if the rewards were greater than the resistance, the fear and the imagined consequences?
What if it didn’t have to be this way? What if this is your call to adventure, your opportunity to transcend your limitations, all by simply taking one little step into the unknown?
What if another path or plan of action revealed itself to you? What might that look like? What would that feel like?
How?
How could you take that step?
How could you change your current situation?
How could you find the resolve and resilience to move forwards in faith rather than stagnating in fear?
What resources would you need?
What resources do you have available right here, right now?
Who?
Who could help you with this?
Who do you know who has done this before?
Who could benefit if you took these steps?
What benefits might they gain? Would these benefits be greater than those they are currently experiencing through your staying where you are?
What would it mean for them to see you ignite your Phoenix Fire?
How could you get them to support you?
When?
When will you make these changes?
What is the timeline you will adhere to?
When will you review your progress and assess your direction?
What will you do if you encounter difficulties along the way?
6 simple questions, 7 simple words yet they have the potential to change your life profoundly each and every time you dare to enter your ‘Room of Radical Reflection’ and dance with the possibilities they might unlock. As Mark Manson’s Disappointment Panda says,
“Life is essentially an endless series of problems—the solution to one problem is merely the creation of the next. Don’t hope for a life without problems. Hope for a life full of good problems.”
It is a rare occasion indeed that I might divert with Mark’s perspective yet if I may, I would offer one slight little amendment…
Life does not create problems, life creates puzzles and it is up to you to use every self-seeking tool available to find the solution. Be the Grandmaster of your own life, exert patience and poise, employ critical thinking and radical reflection and may the odds be ever in your favour.
Take Aim, Transform, Transcend…
Skywards…
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