Three Centered Choice

Here’s how I make a three centered choice, where everything falls into place.

First, the Head

First, I need to connect with my head. Choice may come as an idea I’ve generated, or perhaps from outside of myself. Either way, I’ll need to weigh and consider it.

I have a friend who’s going into the hospital and asked me to be there to help. Even though there’s a convenient flight, I’m going overseas the following week. There were several considerations to assess. Would I have enough time to be ready for the longer trip? How would my husband feel about me going. Just returned from out of town, does it make sense?

We’re all familiar with the circular thinking our head can get into. 

Now my real work is to allow the reality, the substance of the situation, to sit in me. I must carry the question without chewing my thoughts. With my mental center engaged, can I “choose” to do it? Not yet. 

The Other Centers

In order to make a three centered choice I need to engage more than my thinking. So, I take time to look at my feeling center.

What am I feeling about making this effort? Is it coming from the right place in me? Or am I just using my head to say, sure—I can do this. What is my connection with my friend, with being there, with myself? Looking at these questions I stay open to listening for the feedback from my feeling center.

It’s time to engage the body. Plane schedules and getting to the airport aside, what is the reality my body is telling me? Yesterday I went for my usual jog. Not dressed for a cold mist, I got chilled. I felt progressively worse throughout the day.

Tomorrow afternoon I leave for the airport. My body seems to be telling me, “Hold on, not so fast.” Or is this an excuse to pander to my body and choose not to go?

Lining them Up

Now all three centers are fully engaged: Mind—wanting to be there. Feelings—not sure if it’s the right choice. Body—resistant.

The thing is—there’s another part of myself. What we work to develop. Real Will. Real I. When this part is engaged the other three line-up and a three-centered choice is made. Here’s how it works:

My mind holds the thought, going to help my friend in the hospital. My feelings carry the wish to do this. And I picture and sense my body walking into the hospital feeling well.

Again I sit and wait. Is this going to happen? 

The answer does not come from any one of the three centers. It comes from something else in me. The “something else” makes the choice. Then the three centers fall into line like dominoes. Now I know what will be done.