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“I need to impress them”
1) Is it true?
No – I can not know that is what I “need”
(Skip question #2 since my answer to #1 was “no”)
3) How do I react when I believe that thought?
I spend a lot of money putting together very nice binders full of handouts. I spend much time at my computer writing an outline, creating new handouts, etc. I go over in my mind what I am going to do, what I am going to say. I imagine them coming up to me afterwards saying how much they loved it – how it was the best class they have ever attended. I also start to think that this will not happen – that they will not be impressed. I stress myself out imaging their responses to the class. Imagining their responses to me. I take whatever happens as a comment on me as a person, a therapist, a teacher, etc.
4) Who would I be without this thought?
Relaxed. Teaching a class. Letting them have the experience that they have. Allowing them to have their own impression. Much less stress. A friend. Loving what ever happens.
Turn the thought around…
“I do not need to impress them”
So true. “I” actually might need to get out of the picture completely. If anything impresses them it will be themselves. They create their own impression of me, of Yoga Nidra, and I have nothing to do with that. Also, perhaps Yoga Nidra is not for them. I would not want them to be impressed with something that is not for them. I also do not want to be a dictator – dictating to them, “Be impressed!” I want them to be free to have their own experience and learn to welcome that – even if it is an experience of boredom, resistance, dis-like, etc.
“They need to impress me”
Also true. I need to be their student. I want them to impress upon me their needs in the moment so that I can tailor my presentation to them.
“I need to impress myself”
I am the one wanting to be impressed by me. I do not need them to do that for me. Plus, if I manipulate them into being impressed by spending money on the binders, creating nice handouts, etc., can I know that they are really impressed with me? If I have to manipulate them, can I trust what they say is true? Do I want that type of impression on their minds? Why not skip the middle man and be impressed with myself.
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