Strolling into the Existential Ale House on a rainy night I shake the rain water from my coat, when I into spot John, the regular with a knack for interesting conversation. John seemed particularly animated.
I approach John with a growing sense of curiosity eager to hear his latest thinking.
With no idea what was on his mind I greeted him “Hey John, you seem pretty fired up about something. What’s the latest?”
John looks up and places his pint on the bar, a wide smile on his face and glint in his eye.
“Oh, hey! Yeah, I’ve been reading up on some mind blowing stuff. Ever heard of the Tablet of Truth in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)?”
“The Tablet of what now? Sounds like something out of a fantasy novel.”
John laughs. “Yeah, I know right? But it’s actually a concept in NLP, which is all about understanding how language and our minds work together to shape our experiences. The Tablet of Truth is a metaphorical tool they use.”
I lean forward keen to understand more. “Alright, you’ve got my attention. What’s this Tablet of Truth all about?”
John continues to enlighten me. “So, picture this. The Tablet of Truth is like an imaginary grid or matrix that helps you evaluate and challenge your beliefs and perceptions. It’s a way to get to the heart of what’s really true for you, not just what you’ve been conditioned to believe.”
“Okay, interesting. But how does it actually work?”
He pauses for a minute to collect his thoughts. “Well, it’s all about breaking down your thoughts. Let’s say you have a belief or a thought that’s causing you stress, like ‘I’m terrible at public speaking.’ The Tablet of Truth helps you dissect this belief by asking a series of questions. Things like: ‘Is this belief really true? What evidence do I have? Is there another way to look at this?’ It’s a structured way of challenging and reframing your thoughts.”
“So, it’s kind of like a mental checklist to keep yourself in check?”
“Exactly! It’s about digging deeper and not taking your thoughts at face value. A lot of our beliefs are just assumptions or things we’ve picked up over time without questioning. The Tablet of Truth helps you see if these beliefs hold up under scrutiny.”
Nodding in agreement I say “That sounds pretty useful. But is it easy to do on your own?”
“It can take some practice. At first, it might be helpful to work with someone who’s trained in NLP, but over time, you can get the hang of it yourself. The key is being honest with yourself and being willing to challenge your own thinking.”
“Makes sense. So, is this something you do often, John? Using this Tablet of Truth?”
“I try to. Whenever I catch myself stuck in a negative thought pattern, I bring out the imaginary tablet. It’s surprising how often we hold onto beliefs that aren’t serving us well. This tool helps me keep my mind clearer and more focused on what’s true and useful.”
“That’s pretty deep, John. I might have to give this a shot next time I’m spiraling about something. Any last tips?”
“Just remember, it’s all about patience and persistence. Our minds are powerful, and changing how we think isn’t always quick or easy. But with tools like the Tablet of Truth, you’ve got a good starting point. Cheers to clearer thinking, mate!”
We raise your glasses together, I can’t help but think that maybe there’s more to John’s pub talk than I initially thought. Perhaps the next time I’m feeling stuck, I’ll give the Tablet of Truth a try myself.
