Emotionally disturbed? 3 Questions to ask yourself.....

[Bill W]

EDIT: I chose this section because I believe my thread relates to self-actualization rather than mental illness but I understand if it is moved to a different section.

I am not suggesting all emotional difficulties or symptoms of mental ill-health can be completely overcome by this, but I have developed a list of three questions to ask myself when my peace of mind has been disturbed. This could range from minor annoyance and irritation to overwhelming anger or anxiety. I have not really used these questions around issues of low mood or depression. 

I got this idea from a mixture of Osho, Don Miguel Ruiz, Albert Ellis and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Osho refers to following "the law" in his book The Buddha Said. Osho writes that when we feel like shit it is because we have gone against the law and we need to reflect on how we have gone against the law. He says don't be in conflict with the law if you want to be happy. I think he leaves it somewhat open to debate as to what "the law" is, but in this book he is being very practical. I think he makes suggestions to what the law is but doesn't dogmatically tell you what the law is. He is obviously not talking about the Police or legal issues when he says "the law". 

For me, if you develop "the law" for yourself, it relies on as much self-honesty as you can muster. My law below relates to my character defects, because when my character defects are in play, it fucks me up, and can fuck others up. It hinders my growth. 

Osho also says "God is not a person, it is a law". 

I can expand on some of this if asked, but don't want to write chapter & verse to begin with when it boils down to three main questions for me. 

So, if I am upset or otherwise agitated I come back to these three questions. Every time, at least one of them applies to my upset, and my upset is a warning sign that I have gone against the law. 

1. Am I sure?

2. Have I taken something personally?

3. Are my demands out of touch with reality?

 

Edited July 2, 2019 by Bill W

[Truth Addict]

@Bill W Thank you! ??

I usually ask myself: why am I 'blank'? (blank = feeling certain emotion).

The answer usually turns out to be because I want things to happen in certain ways and not some other ways.

If change is possible, I do my best. If not, I let go, and become happy.

Edited July 2, 2019 by Truth Addict

[Bill W]

Just one final bump here, in case it helps anyone.

Happy to expand on this, especially point 3 Are my demands out of touch with reality?

[The Dopamine Cleric]

Anyone who goes to a psychologist should have their head checked.

 

This is a good list.

Edited July 6, 2019 by The Dopamine Cleric