Practicing self-honesty.

[Rishabh R]

I have noticed that practicing honesty with oneself improves well being.

For example the mental chatter that our mind constantly engages with is most of the time a bunch of lies which we are saying to oneself.

To practice self-honesty one doesn't need to think delusionally positive even but simply direct one's self-talk to truth. Such as in case of anticipation it is better to admit not-knowing or tell oneself that the situation may turn out x/y and it's implications are unknown.

Telling oneself truth of the situation innerly enhances one's mental well being.

[kbone]

3 hours ago, Rishabh R said:

I have noticed that practicing honesty with oneself improves well being.

For example the mental chatter that our mind constantly engages with is most of the time a bunch of lies which we are saying to oneself.

To practice self-honesty one doesn't need to think delusionally positive even but simply direct one's self-talk to truth. Such as in case of anticipation it is better to admit not-knowing or tell oneself that the situation may turn out x/y and it's implications are unknown.

Telling oneself truth of the situation innerly enhances one's mental well being.

Yes, the 'not-knowing' is quite eye opening if one really begins to go into it. It's amazing how EXTREMELY little one actually knows. The very function of radical self-honesty promotes/involves turning the attention of Consciousness in on ITself rather than outward in its creative/seeking capacity. It seems that such a degree of self-honesty only comes about when a noticing of the mind's limitations and its deceptions emerges. Quite often, the first real noticing of the depth and breadth of it dishonesty can be quite jarring. It's often very difficult to do, simply due the 'stickiness of thoughts' and/or one's needs to engage the mind in order to navigate the world. Thoughts are not bad in themselves (they have a worldly function), but the way the unconscious/uninformed mind is structured leads to all sorts of self-deception and nonsense due to familial or cultural conditioning and unconscious self-referential biases. But I agree, the greater degree of self-honesty, the greater potential for well-being. There's more space (like a clearing the cache on a computer so it can function better) and there's less confusion and inner conflict.

Most minds, at least at first, are not interested in that endeavor, understandably. It often sounds too simple, or don't like the feeling, or need more of a dopamine inducing practice. And then, when/if it gets a bit deeper, sometimes there's something akin to the 'dark night of the soul' that the mind repels from. As such, most peeps prefer to develop concepts, pursue woo woo, and build up their conceptual models that sound kinda truthy (i.e., perpetuating the self's need to sound 'right'/'super smart'/'important'/'more holy'/ etc), rather than strip it all down to TRUTH's blazing simplicity. 

[Rishabh R]

I also noticed few days ago that I have been practicing half honesty by telling the truth to others and not myself.

Edited June 9 by Rishabh R

[kbone]

11 hours ago, Rishabh R said:

I also noticed few days ago that I have been practicing half honesty by telling the truth to others and not myself.

In the exact same context, or in different ones?

But yes, you've expressed the distinction of two types of honesty well. In your opinion, which is likely more important in the context of existential questioning or self-inquiry?

[Rishabh R]

1 hour ago, kbone said:

In the exact same context, or in different ones?

But yes, you've expressed the distinction of two types of honesty well. In your opinion, which is likely more important in the context of existential questioning or self-inquiry?

In different contexts or more precisely in most contexts. I used to tell secrets to others most of the time but I used to not tell the truth to myself. Now I have recognized this and when I practice self-honesty I experience tranquility and peace when I tell myself the truth of a situation. 

[kbone]

41 minutes ago, Rishabh R said:

In different contexts or more precisely in most contexts. I used to tell secrets to others most of the time but I used to not tell the truth to myself. Now I have recognized this and when I practice self-honesty I experience tranquility and peace when I tell myself the truth of a situation. 

Excellent. That is a simplicity that is priceless. Good on ya.

[Rishabh R]

@kbone Thanks.

[kbone]

13 hours ago, Rishabh R said:

@kbone Thanks.

Thank you. Honesty and discernment help things flow more smoothly.