August 1, 2006

• The Extra Mile, Part 2

  
  

  By Anthony de Mello

  
  

   

  
  

  Is there a way out?  Yes.  You are not going to be able to change your programming quickly, or perhaps ever.  And you don’t even need to. 

  
  

   

  
  

  Try this:  Imagine you are in a situation or with a person that you find unpleasant and that you would ordinarily avoid.  Now observe your computer instinctively becomes active, insisting that you avoid this situation or try to change it.  And if you stay on there and refuse to change the situation, observe how the computer insists that you experience irritation or anxiety or guilt or some other negative emotion.  Now keep looking at this unpleasant situation or person until you realize that it isn’t they that are causing the negative emotions.  They are just going their way, being themselves, doing their thing whether right or wrong, good or bad.  It is your computer that insists on your reacting with negative emotions.  You will see this better if you realize that someone with a different programming when faced with this same situation or person or event would react quite calmly, even happily. 

  
  

   

  
  

  Don’t stop till you have grasped this truth:  The only reason why you too are not reacting calmly and happily is your computer stubbornly insisting that reality be reshaped to conform to its programming.  Observe all of this from the outside so to speak and see that marvelous change that comes about you.

  
  

   

  • 1:57 pm
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