RE: Thoughts-To Fuse or to Float

[Guest guest]

Sounds like you have a great relationship

with your thoughts.

One of the challenges of a list like this, is that we are all in different places.

Fusing with thoughts can be problematic

for some, as they believe that they are bad people because they have bad thoughts, or that when they have a particular thought (like “I

need drugs now”) that they are required to act on the thought. Just a couple of examples.

Now if you fuse with the thought “I

must act on my values” and start beating yourself up any time you feel

you have not successfully done so, this could be problematic as well.

Doesn’t sound like these sorts of

issues are happening with you ?

Greg R

From: ACT_for_the_Public [mailto:ACT_for_the_Public ] On Behalf Of phoenix_rising06

Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 10:37

AM

To: ACT_for_the_Public

Subject:

Thoughts-To Fuse or to Float

I have a very intimate relationship with my thoughts that I have

considered a great asset to me over the years. Thoughts enabled me to

move away from abusive relationships, have helped me discover more

about who I am and what I value, and have been a useful tool in

helping me solve problems. Thoughts draft the letters I write when I

advocate for tenants rights. Thoughts help me work through angry

issues. Thoughts help me change undesirable behaviors.

I am having a hard time understanding why I would want to float my

thoughts down a stream. And don't we have to fuse with thoughts in

order to move towards a valued life?

Perplexed Cheers,

Phoenix

[Guest guest]

I think this can get confusing. Remember 95% of the time our thoughts

do work. " My computer is broke, I need to replace it " . That is a

functional and useful thought. When you are doing your taxes you

would want to be fused with the thoughts of doing you taxes.

The problem is with the other 5%. The internal dialog, trying to fix

thoughts we don't like. That can be the tricky part, sometimes the

two seem to blend. Seems to me that is a good time to ask the

question " What is this in the service of? " .

For instance, if you tell yourself " I need to get my taxes done " . Ask

what that is in the service of. " So I can do the necessary paperwork

to comply with a law, that will keep me in compiance with the law,

Make me a good citizen, keep me out of jail, etc.. Those are

funtionally good thoughts. Odds are they move you in some valued

direction.

If you have the thoughts " I am such a loser for putting my taxes off "

and ask the same question. That isn't in the service of anything. And

even that isn't a bad thought, it is when you fuse with and believe

the thought that leads to suffering.

Hope that make some sense,

Greg P

>

>

> I have a very intimate relationship with my thoughts that I have

> considered a great asset to me over the years. Thoughts enabled me

to

> move away from abusive relationships, have helped me discover more

> about who I am and what I value, and have been a useful tool in

> helping me solve problems. Thoughts draft the letters I write when

I

> advocate for tenants rights. Thoughts help me work through angry

> issues. Thoughts help me change undesirable behaviors.

> I am having a hard time understanding why I would want to float

my

> thoughts down a stream. And don't we have to fuse with thoughts in

> order to move towards a valued life?

>

> Perplexed Cheers,

> Phoenix

>

[Guest guest]

Here is the image that came to mind as I read your post ...

So say I am this wave in the ocean. I begin to form way off shore. I see other

waves ahead of me growing and crashing on the shore. Perhaps I am frightened as

I see the waves crash on the beach. Or maybe I get mesmorized by a surfer who

is riding a really majestic wave. But either way ... apprehension or delighted

.... I see myself as a wave and forget that my true nature is water.

Thoughts, sensations and emotions all come and go like waves on the beach. It's

cool to play in the surf as long as we don't identify who we are by these

transient experiences. That's why I do the thoughts on the leaf exercise ...

reminds me not to cling to or cringe from whatever is on the leaf.

But of course most of the time I find myself still drowning in the rip tide ...

here's to life long learning.

~Em

>

>

> I have a very intimate relationship with my thoughts that I have

> considered a great asset to me over the years. Thoughts enabled me to

> move away from abusive relationships, have helped me discover more

> about who I am and what I value, and have been a useful tool in

> helping me solve problems. Thoughts draft the letters I write when I

> advocate for tenants rights. Thoughts help me work through angry

> issues. Thoughts help me change undesirable behaviors.

> I am having a hard time understanding why I would want to float my

> thoughts down a stream. And don't we have to fuse with thoughts in

> order to move towards a valued life?

>

> Perplexed Cheers,

> Phoenix

>

[Guest guest]

" earthmther " wrote:

> But of course most of the time I find myself still drowning in the

rip >tide ... here's to life long learning.

Course, you know what they say about rip tides EM...the only way they

can get you is if you struggle against them. Relax and float along

and theres no way to drown.