Chapter 7

The Deep Heart

Heartfelt inquiry into Core Beliefs

not being enough in someway
this belief can take various forms maybe we are not lovable enough maybe we are not worthy enough
have you ever secretly believed this
often feel that we aren’t something enough all (fill in the blank)

our lives are driven to try and fill this blank
we see this tendency at large in narcissism

better to explore this core sense of lack
the true resolution happens when our innocent curious attention goes into the core of the apparent deficiency
what is my deepest knowing about this belief
when we have a question we almost always go to our mind for an answer
what would happen if I don’t take care of this problem
and then what would happen, and then what would happen etc…

we are hardwired for hypervigilance
mind is good at fixing problems such as an issue with the car
analytic understanding and affirmative self talk rarely resolve core limiting beliefs and the related feelings and sensations

this is because core limiting beliefs are based on some childhood conditioning along with the existential sense of being a separate self
when we consciously rediscover our wholeness the sense of inherent lack or flaw dissolves
getting back in touch with our wholeness means that we can acknowledge our psychological wounds which are frozen in underdeveloped places without viewing them as essential flaws

you are not who you think you are
much better to access an intuitive form of knowing – heart wisdom when questioning them

inviting attention into the heart area and then asking innocently what is my deepest knowing about this belief is the most direct approach

as an alternative we can also ask ourselves what is the truth
our true nature knows what is true

who you really are is beyond any thought, you are not who you think you are
you are no self at all
could be an unpleasant and frightening realisation
terrifying for the mind to not be in control
it’s entire job is to be in control

as we learn to tap into the interior of our body we can sense a subtle sense of aliveness that runs vertically through the core
it feels like a clear luminous line of energy which runs upward close to the spine seems to well from the ground like a pure spring and radiates high above our head.
If you imagine your body is suspended in midair by a fine line located at the top of your head you may get a sense of it
John calls this the current of life because it contains essential aliveness and intelligence
Tibetan Buddhist refer to this as the essential channel
the fewer filters we have such as limiting beliefs, emotional reactions, somatic contractions the easier it is to sense this core animating luminosity
as we awaken to our true nature our attention naturally drops down into the interior of the body
the ability to sense this varies among individuals but the hallmark of attuning with this life current is a sense of deeply being at home with oneself
centred in the core of one’s being and aligned with something much greater than the little me

what is a core limiting belief and how do I recognise it?
Beliefs are mental maps approximations they help to orientate us and most are benign
generally the more they closely aligned to facts the more useful they are

of course some non-fact based beliefs provide solace and meaning in the face of existential uncertainty for example some type of afterlife
core limiting beliefs are particularly powerful lenses in which we see ourselves and the world
our view of the world always has a corresponding view of ourselves
if we see the world as a hostile place we will also need to believe that we need to armour or conceal ourselves in order to survive – becoming aggressive or invisible depending on our temperament
conversely if we see the world as friendly we will feel safe to let down our guard, come out of hiding and shine just as we are
call limiting beliefs about ourself  can be stated in short simple childlike sentences a few examples include:

I am not good enough
I am worthless
something is wrong with me
I don’t deserve to exist
I am mistake
I am bad
I’m flawed
I am broken and beyond repair
I am unlovable
and I don’t belong

important to realise the specific form they take in our lives
for example I’m flawed may take the form of I really screwed up
you can tell that you’ve identified one of these limiting beliefs when it evokes a strong charge within you and a contraction in your body

try it now pick the belief with most impact
this is an entry point for discovering your fundamental nature
and can work like keys to unlock the depth of your heart
you can speak them out loud and see which ones have the most charge
we discover and see through each layer with increasing clarity

important to look under the hood of your conditioning so that you can see the patterns that drive you
it is a crucial step in freeing yourself from allusion

how do I question a core belief?
Once you recognise a core limiting belief attune with your heart wisdom to question it
first drop your attention from the head to the heart area
it may help to put your hand over your chest and imagine you can inhale and exhale from this area
take a minute to quietly attune
you are signalling a willingness to listen in a different way
and you are also entering into silent contact with true nature as loving awareness
not only are you feeling into the heart you’re taking up residence there
you may sense a feeling of warmth openness and intimacy
when people start to attune with their heart they purport a sense of homecoming and often feel closer to themselves
it can take a minute or two for this shift to happen take your time
with practice it can occur in seconds
once you feel like your attention is grounded in the heart area you’re ready for the next step
ask yourself what is my deepest knowing about this belief
don’t go to your mind for an answer
what is my deepest knowing about this belief for example that I’m not good enough
use the exact language that you’ve used to formulate the belief
the clearer your question is the more precise the response will be
we are inviting our holistic response
now we let the question go
wait, feel and listen
a response can come in any form
a word or image may arise
it is as if a pearl begins to materialise on the ocean floor readying itself to be brought up to the surface by a deep sea diver
see if the new word or image resonates

this process of discovery varies from person to person
for some a word or image will appear with or without any sensation
others will experience a silent knowing of the complete irrelevance of their belief

the point is to discover how a response comes to you and then honour it
we honour our responses by letting them in as if they are gifts from the gods
and then acting upon them

protocol for heartfelt inquiry into core limiting beliefs:

1. Identify a call limiting belief, keep it short and know its somatic charge and then let it go
2. shift your attention from the head to the heart area
3. ask yourself what is my deepest knowing about this belief
4. don’t go to your mind for an answer, be quiet, listen, feel and sense, a response can come in any form
5. let it in