Sometimes our progress to wards a goal slows, and we don’tknow why. We’re trying as hard as we can, but we don’t seem to get anywhere. If this happens try the following: Write down the problem or the symptom on a piece of paper. Then ask, “Why?” Write down if the answer. Then look at the answer and ask, “Why?” again. Repeat the question five times.

For example, someone might write, “I can’t meditate.”

“Why?”

“I’m too restless.”

“Why?”

“I wake up too late and I’m rushed to get to work.”

“Why?”

“Because I go to bed late.”

“Why?”

“Because I have two cups of coffee with dinner.”

Okay, now we’re getting some where. We have identified the obstacle and can now do something about it.

What is true with all

behaviours—even the negative ones—is that they have benefits. That’s why we do them. Asking the “why” question five times helps us to get to the level where we recognise the benefits of the particular behaviour. Once we have identified the reasons why we engage in the action, we can draw up a “cost/benefit analysis” of the habit. By writing down all the negatives on one side of a piece of paper and listing the positives on the opposite side, we can decide for ourselves if the behaviour is worth keeping.

— YSS Magazine, 1/2003

Excerpt from ‘Clarifying your thoughts, defining your goal through Introspection’