Ever feel like a failure? Ever let fear of failure stop you from even trying? It is an example of interviewing a life script, life dream, or a story that we have told ourselves for years, something that keeps us from expressing and growing into our potentials. What to do? In this interview the solution comes from accessing a part of self that witnesses those feelings with equanimity.
This is the children’s interview format.
Is there anything you’d like to change in your life?
Getting my books published and my YouTube videos done.
Is there anything else?
Back to my regular morning yoga and meditation routine.
Is there anything else?
Exercise more regularly
Have you ever had an interesting or scary life dream? Tell me!
I’m a failure. Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.
Why do you think that you had this dream?
I like to scare myself and feel like I’m a failure.
If it were playing at a theater, what name would be on the marquee?
Joseph Fails
These are the characters in the dream…
Me; people ignoring me. The places we are – auditoriums – they’re walking out during the talk.
Which character are you most curious about?
Auditorium
Now pretend you’re that character, OK? Say the first thing that comes to your mind.
Auditorium, I’m going to ask you some questions, OK?
OK.
Auditorium, what do you like most about yourself?
I give many people a place to be heard and many others a place to hear, learn, grow, and be entertained.
Auditorium, what do you dislike most about yourself?
Nothing!
Auditorium, Joseph created you out of those feelings and colors, right?
Yes.
What part of Joseph are you most like?
Creating space for mutual respect of all parts of self.
Auditorium, if you could be anywhere you wanted to be and take any shape you desired, would you change? If so, how?
Nope.
Auditorium, Do you ever get scared? If you’re scared all the time, give yourself a zero. Give yourself a “10” if you’re never afraid! Why?
10 I have nothing to be afraid of.
Auditorium, how much do you care? Give yourself a “10” if you care about everyone, or are always loving toward everyone, including yourself! Give yourself a “0” if you are mad at everyone, including yourself! Why?
I don’t do compassion, but my beingness, my nature is compassionate, in that I accept anyone and everyone unconditionally.
Auditorium, how wise are you? Give yourself a “10” if you always know what to do and say. Give yourself a “0” if you never do! Why?
? I always am myself.
Auditorium, how accepting are you? Give yourself a “10” if you accept everyone, including yourself! Give yourself a “0” if you reject everyone, including yourself! Why?
10
Auditorium, how at peace are you? Give yourself a “10” if you’re always deeply at peace! Give yourself a “0” if you’re never peaceful! Why?
10
Auditorium, how objective are you? Give yourself a “10” if you can always watch the drama of life and not get caught up in it! Give yourself a “0” if you’re always caught up in life’s dramas! Why?
10
Auditorium, if you scored tens in all six of these qualities, would your life be different? If so, how?
No.
Auditorium, if Joseph scored tens in all six of these qualities, would his life be different? If so, how?
He would be the witness of all the stories he tells himself. He would potentially contain any and all stories.
Auditorium, if you could live Joseph’s life for him, how would you live it differently?
I wouldn’t tell myself stories. I would be the container of all stories.
Auditorium, if you were Joseph, how would you deal with the first thing he wants to change?
He’s doing it. Keep on track.
Auditorium, if you were Joseph, how would you deal with the second thing he wants to change?
Keep motivating himself so that when he gets back to Berlin he’ll dive right in.
Auditorium, if you were Joseph, how would you deal with the third thing he wants to change?
I don’t do exercise; I don’t have an opinion. But if I were him I’d create space for it and put it on the program for a definite time.
Auditorium, would it ever be helpful for Joseph to imagine that he is you and act as you would? When?
Whenever he catches himself weaving stories, awake or dreaming.
Auditorium, why do you think Joseph had this dream?
Part of him has been addicted to that particular drama.
Auditorium, how is Joseph most likely to ignore what you are saying?
Get lost in the story/drama of the moment!
What would you recommend that Joseph do about that?
Wake up!
Joseph, what have you heard yourself say?
Witness all stories I tell myself.
Did you hear anything you can use to make your life better? What?
Become the Auditorium, particularly when I get into stories of victimization.
What could you do differently this week to test (character) to see if his recommendations make your life better?
I could practice remembering to become him.
If this experience were a wake-up call from the most central part of yourself, what do you think it would be saying to you?
When you find yourself caught in the drama of some old script inside your head, become Auditorium to gain a sense of detachment from it.
