Remember, the work teaches us that our reactions are always about us – not the other person. The reverse of that is just as true. Their reactions (behavior, feelings, beliefs) are always about them and their story – not about us. What does this mean?
Here's the image that came to my mind a couple of mornings ago ….
Every single human being is engaged in the business of producing, directing and starring in our own play. The story line and title for our production is taken from our belief systems ….
Some sample storylines themes might be:
“Life is hard and I am just barely eke-ing by”
“I can't truly commit to life”
“Nobody will ever really love me”
“Life is a wonderful, awe-inspiring miracle and I get to see it all!”
… and an endless variety of others…. It's your play – your reality!
In the same way that we have certain types of performances we like better than others (drama over comedy, for instance or murder mysteries rather than romance themes) we are attracted to the dramas of those whose themes we resonate with. We witness their stage production, but instead of remembering that it's a production we think it's real, and we get hooked into jumping up on stage, making a “guest appearance” to rescue or rectify what we see there. We all do this …. it's not something some of us do and not others… it's what being on this level of manifestation is all about.
This is the plane of reality where we come to express in visible manifestation every possible thought form imaginable and possible! That's what I mean when I say the world is perfect … it is perfect for it's purpose which is to demonstrate, in visible form, our individual belief systems! No mistake. Knowing this relieves any sense of needing to feel bad or guilty about what we see happening in someone else's life. We understand that they are producing in technicolor realism the exact replica of their own internal script and we don't see that as a problem we need to do anything about!
It is our reactions to their productions that alert us to what our own production is. Something they say or do will trigger our own script and we'll find ourselves engaging in their production.
Our reactions to their dramas are simply a way we have of auditioning for a part in their production. Chances are that it will simultaneously end up reinforcing our own plot line as well.
We each walk around (unaware) seeking to cast roles in our production. We are ever on the lookout for those who can fill the part of whatever role we need. There's no right or wrong here … these “actors” simply “agree” (although they may not know they've agreed) to play a part in the script we supply. They play the part we need in order to advance our (and their) particular drama.
So, every single person in my life has at least a bit part in my play. They were picked for the role they play for their ability to carry it off. Whatever we tell ourselves about that person mirrors the role we hand picked them to play.
It is our belief system that directs and casts the roles.
An example:
Let's say, you come to see me for the first time and the name of your production is “The Man Who No-one Could Help”. Starring in your own production, you start describing to me a history of one vain attempt after another of those who tried and failed to help your hopelessly futile condition. You tell yourself that you are here to get help … but what you BELIEVE is that you are hopeless – that there is no help for you. If I forget this is your production I might think this drama is real instead of a concrete version created for your viewing pleasure to show you your own beliefs. If my story plot is one that says I am here to save others … or that I am a failure (either of these would make for interesting drama between us :)) then i might find myself hooked into auditioning for a role in your production. I might play the part of another one who tried and failed to help you get better.
But when I sit in the audience instead of jumping on stage, then I don't see a problem … I know you are staging, for the purpose of seeing it clearly, your own internal beliefs (in this case … “I am hopelessly damaged”) and I recognize that as, not only your right but your privilege. If you indicate to me that you are tired of running this same plot line (you know how some movie directors just re-stage the same story in a multitude of ways? Well, we do the same with our own productions … we just recast them and run them over and over again) and want to do something different … then I will share with you tools and insights that I have acquired to take conscious direction of you subplots but intervening at the script level.
We learn, in other words, how to sit in the audience, even in our own stage productions, as directors, rather than jumping up on stage as actors. We watch and analyze script notes … rather than react. It makes all the difference in the world!
More coming about on this idea!
Blessings, Lynne