“to let go of the negative habits of thought that have been reflected in the happenings of my life” (ODAT, 20 June)
The mistake is to think that the thoughts reflect the
reality.
Rather, the reality is moulded to reflect the thought.
I’m horrifically responsible not just for the perception but
for what the picture pictures.
The artist is in the picture they paint.
The artist is also in the landscape painted.
Remove the artist, and the scene changes.
When I look at what is, the first insight: this need not be
so.
Why? Because I am looking at it, so I am part of it.
The three Cs (cause, control, cure) are outside my responsibility.
But I can and do contribute, as much as they do, as much as
the alcoholic.
I once looked at an alcoholic in my life, and recognised I
could do nothing.
Then I asked:
Why am I here and not elsewhere?
Why this ring-side seat?
What’s the payoff?
Ah, there is always a payoff.
The payoff is the prize I would not give up.
Just as alcohol was the alcoholic’s prize.