Several months ago I was on the phone, talking to a friend, and before I realized what happened, the conversation switched.
A 20-something college student from California was blathering in my ear, telling me how he’d just finished reading Psycho-Cybernetics. He began by complimenting the classic – then he quickly shifted into teacher mode, instructing me as follows:
“All this talk about the self-image is interesting, but don’t you think that when a person starts to work on improving his self-image, thinking that it’s never good enough, that this will cause stress and….”
Long pause.
Who is this guy and why am I on the phone with him?
He continued:
“And furthermore, I’ve studied a lot of eastern religion and there really is no such thing as a self anyway, so why emphasize a self-image if there isn’t even a self?”
I took another deep breath and remained calm, albeit mildly irritated because I didn’t plan on or agree to talk to this person. The conversation felt as though it was thrown into my lap.
Now, what to do? Hang up or answer.
I chose to answer. Here’s my retort:
“Young man, you are very intelligent and have put a lot of time in studying. Now, just suppose I agree with you on the concept of self. Suppose I have read the same books you’ve read and heard the same theories.”
“That’s good,” he says.
“So we have agreement that there is no self. (wink, wink) But is there a spirit, is there a soul?”
“Oh yes, of course. Everyone has a spirit and a soul.”
“Just not a self?” I asked.
“Yes, exactly. We’re all one, you know.”
“Well then, being there’s no self-image, as far as you are concerned, focus on your soul or spirit and the same type of positive results will happen. You’ll begin living life to the full without stress, tension or striving. And there won’t be any need to split hairs over things such as WORDS.”
“Oh, thank you so much. You’ve been very helpful,” says the student.
“You’re welcome,” I replied, “Now make sure you listen to the audio programs on audible.com. Type in Matt Furey and all the Psycho-Cybernetics and Nightingale-Conant audio books I’ve recorded will come up.”
“Really, you’re on Audible as well?”
“I sure am. But don’t take my word for it. Go see for yourself.”
The above is a work of fiction – (wink, wink). It never really happened.
Then again, when the conversation returned back to my friend, I was inwardly laughing to my-self, oops, my-spirit, oops, my-soul.
Self, Spirit, Soul.
As they say in Thailand, “Same, same.”
See it. Feel it. Have it.
Matt Furey
