Where's the god damn diamond?!

[Ruthie]

Hello!

I have a question. And I'm playing devil's advocate here so please don't be taken aback by my egocentric questioning. 

If you've got as far as this forum I'm thinking you've probably heard about the real self underneath the mask (how we like to be perceived) and all the horse manure (our self-doubts or even hates). In fact it was even mentioned in today's tip. But can someone or many people please give me a concrete example of what this real self is and how you can be this in the real world?

Apparently this real self is the source of real happiness and self-esteem so I would like to find it, it sounds like a very nice place to reside  . But really, I'd like to know what I'm looking for! And I'm genuinely asking because it sounds great and... well I have too many self help books talking about something abstract that I'm supposed to know about underneath it all but actually, maybe I don't know but would like to learn. What I love about Michael's books is that they are so practical but this basic principle is a bit of a sticking point with me.

I just thought it might be interesting to see how different people experience this real self and how you bring it to your everyday lives.

Can't wait to hear from you.

Ruthie x

[yan80]

Well i found myself in a similar frustrating situation not long ago. What I found was that being frustrated about it, actually stops you from finding the inner diamond. The problem is, it's not really something for you to FIND. You ARE the diamond. You cannot find what is already present. It would be like a light switch trying to find the light switch to turn on the light.

That might sound totally confusing and get you even more wound up up about it. The truth is (from the way I see it)  if you take away the bullshit (your thoughts, your warped image of the world and yourself, etc) what you are left with is the diamond.

You can also use the analogy that Jamie Smart taught me that you are in fact like a snow globe. When we shake the snow globe, the snow (bullshit) clouds the crystal clear water that is our true natures. All you have to do is let the snow settle (just acknowledge it as bullshit) and you will begin to see that you are peaceful and calm, strong and capable of anything.

When you realise this, then you know you need nothing and happiness will be yours.

[Evelyne Brink]

HI Ruthie

I love your honest and direct questioning. Hence I would love to take some time for you to answer your question personally.
More than that, I'll just show you your diamond.  How does that sound?

Call me.
07905 933227


Love,
Evelyne

[Tomwalked]

hahaha I LOVE your candor!

really refreshing!

for me, finding the inner diamond - I need to be grounded, relaxed and clear to find it.

I have this amazing walk, I take in the mornings, I get out of my head, I open up to the bigger "stuff" of the universe...

to me, I think as Yan seemed to be saying...
unless you like spelunking through horse shit... the best way to uncover the diamond may be to cast off the shit.
when our head is clear, and we are able to not be crazy about finding it, we are relaxed and at ease and feeling good and whole...
we have better access to the diamond.

and I might even suggest... the more we do it, the more we have better access to our inner diamond.
The horse shit may always want to re-accumulate, so it may be best to think of this action as an on-going thing...
much like we cannot expect to only take one shower in our lives...

[Lennydw67]

I think Yan80 summed it up well 'you are the diamond', and this whole notion has been a revelation for me personally and the way I work with people.

It also ties in with what Robert Holden talks about there being a conditioned self (the diamond covered in horse shit and nail polish) and the unconditioned self (The real person before the poo and polish).  The conditioned self is a construct, a story, who we think we are where as the unconditioned self is who we really are.

For me, when I have fears about something that might happen in the future like changing job, or I don't think I'm not good enough, I can't pull this off etc that the conditioned self and the truth is the conditioned self can't handle it but who I really am can and will.

When we spin our thoughts and get irrational about our fears as yan80 mentioned it's a bit like shaking the snow globe.  And the way to allow the diamond to shine, get in touch with the unconditioned 'real' self is to let the snow globe settle.  Michael uses a great technqiue for this which is so simple and that is to just spend a full minute in silence, and in whatever way you know how to just get present with yourself.  Then after that ask youself what is it you would love to create around XXXX?

Cheers

Lenny