I had intended to respond to this post some time ago but overlooked it. My apologies for the delay.
There are two ways you can approach internal issues. Often our perceived faults or problems are triggered by something outside of us. E.g. Suddenly we feel angry because someone said something. We know we are not angry with the person. We know that we are responsible for the anger yet we feel like we've lost control. We feel it's an internal problem.
For instances where someone managed to push your buttons... do the Inquiry Process using them. Consider them your helpers in getting to a great understanding where you are coming from... what really is the cause.
So the Inquiry Process for that would go something like
I am angry because (X) said ....
(X) should not say ....
By filling out the form, in full, before doing the Inquriy Process questions you give yourself the opportunity of letting out reasons for your anger. So that by the end of the Inquriy Proccess you will identify what you are angry at.
One reason for filling in the form up front is because your reaction will change as you progress through the Inquiry questions, by having had them written down right from the start you get to see what was there.
In another post I wrote out what I did for an unproductive unmotivated phase that I was going through. I chose someone who was on my mind and decided I was mildly annoyed at them for the Inquiry process. The whole exercise brought me face to face with the underlying reason for my lack of motivation. In hind sight I could have chosen anyone to do a "what irritates me about this person right now" to discover what was I bugging myself about.
Some things seem more abstract that you will at some time want to do an Inquiry Process on. It might be "my body", "My illness" my "habit of..."
Fill in the form (or write all the reactions in a journal) as per when another person is a trigger.
Replace the person with the expression... "My thinking about..."
So the Inquiry Process might look like. e.g.
I am angry at my illness because it stops me from doing what I want to do.
Answers to Inquiry Questions
1. Yes
2. Well no. When I'm busy I don't notice it so it doesn't really stop me from doing what I want to do every time.
3. Feel trapped
4. Free, feeling healthier
Turn around
Since names and people are not involved I'd use the term "my thinking"
I am angry at my illness because "my thinking "stops me from doing what I want to do. (I really only think it stops me from doing what I want)
I am *not* angry at my illness because it stops me from doing what I *don't* want to do.
My thinking that I am angry at my illness stops me from doing what I want to do.
My thinking that I am angry at my illness stops me from doing what I want *don't* to do.
You can also experiement by adding the word "people"
People are angry because my illness stops me from doing what I want (don't want) to do.
Continue this for the rest of the worksheet.
I can only provide examples. When you do the process yourself you will need to hold that pen and write the answers, muse and listen to your responses.
Alex
[This message has been edited by Alex K. Viefhaus (edited July 19, 2004).]
