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cat empire
December 2009 
the quality of questions
Posted on Jul 26th, 2009
by 
Janet
Janet
Lately I've been trying to ask better Questions. Questioning the reality of my experience is incredibly valuable. But what I notice is that much of the time my Questions are designed to elicit a desired response. This type of Question simply seeks to affirm what I already think I know.
So what makes a good Question?
I think the only Question that really matters is the one that helps get me to the next step. In fact, some teachers advocate taking the time find the One Question that will be used as the prime vehicle of awakening. I've tried to find the "one question" and tried on several of the common ones: Who am I? What is true? Am I awake? A question which served me well when I was quitting smoking was What do I really want? (that one is good for any addictive patterns, not just cigs). Another that has helped is What the hell is going on?
What these questions have in common is their reductive quality. Continuous work with them, has a tendancy to peel away the layers, seeking the essential center.
Ah, the Essential Center, what we're all seeking, right? Be careful though, as with atomic structure, the microscope reveals that what appears to be solid is really not much at all.
So what makes a good Question?
I think the only Question that really matters is the one that helps get me to the next step. In fact, some teachers advocate taking the time find the One Question that will be used as the prime vehicle of awakening. I've tried to find the "one question" and tried on several of the common ones: Who am I? What is true? Am I awake? A question which served me well when I was quitting smoking was What do I really want? (that one is good for any addictive patterns, not just cigs). Another that has helped is What the hell is going on?
What these questions have in common is their reductive quality. Continuous work with them, has a tendancy to peel away the layers, seeking the essential center.
Ah, the Essential Center, what we're all seeking, right? Be careful though, as with atomic structure, the microscope reveals that what appears to be solid is really not much at all.
Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
Access: Public
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah :-)
is that a question or an answer? :-)
I've noticed that one question gets me to the next and so on … But the one question that I use is What next? For me, it requires that I sit in silence and not necessarily wait for the answer but be in awe of what appears. But I certainly like the questions and the movement of one question to the next question.
Many years ago my doctor gave me this advice when I was extremely stressed because my husband left, my mother was dying, I was going to lose my job and my house. He told me “Ask yourself this - what do you want to do and where do you want to be doing it. And then ask “where do you want to be and what do you want to be doing”. I found these are 2 different questions because of the focus - much like when you do a Google search - the order of words in the search.
There's nothing wrong with questions but once you think you've found the answer, you eliminate all other possibilites and poorer for it.
You will not find answers to who you are with your brain/mind. You will find it through spirit and action and being and living from the inside out. Anyway, that's what works for me. Good luck in your quest and on your path.
_^_
This is good! I am interested in hearing your questions, so thanks John and Mimi.
I think you've hit on something M~ attaching to an answer is a dead end. And while answers seem to be found beyond intellect, intellect helps us get there.
Best question for me is ” what is my BODY Felt sense of this whole thing?
” Your issues is in your tissues”!!!!!!! Ho HO!
I love it!!!! Thanks :-)
Hello, I have always enjoyed that age old( two years at its prime) of why, just why, and knowing like trying to answer any two year old, the real quantity of answer is not going to come soon it meerly sets one upon quest. Now truth be told and honesty accepted you may never know the answer but at least you know why.
Thanks
When I whined to my teacher that I just wanted to understand why, I was told: understanding is the booby prize. I'm still thinking about that one, but what you said about the two year old's unrelenting “why” loop, I think I'm a bit closer ~ Thanks!
Janet,
No one can give you can give you the questions or for the matter the answers…
I believe I ask, how does this serve me in Being my Higher Self? Is this creative or destructive?
” Who am I ” is a good start, Who am I Now? is one you ask as you move along the path…
Great stuff by the way…
I am Love, Jeff
Thanks Jeff~
You're absolutely right that no one can provide the right questions or answers. It does keep coming down to “think for yourself, and figure out what's true” to quote Jed McKenna.