Reasons Archives - Farther to Go!

Believing that reasons are responsible for what we feel, think, and do is a habit of thought that has many characteristics of an addiction. We have to have reasons. We can’t imagine living without them. Coming up with a good reason for something is one of the most satisfying experiences we can have.

Even when we recognize–conceptually–that reasons don’t actually exist and that the reason habit is self-destructive and delusional, we still can’t just quit reasons cold turkey.

So here’s a 4-step program that may help.

Step 1

Admit that you can’t do (or not do) anything without having a reason for it.

I did (or didn’t do) Y because of X.

You can’t think, feel, or do anything other than what you think, feel, or do because reasons cause you to think and feel certain things—and do (or not do) the things you do. You are at the effect, and at the mercy, of all the causes surrounding you. You are powerless. A pawn in the Game of Life. (Too melodramatic? Not really.)

Step 2

Question the assumption that reasons have both an independent existence and a direct cause-and-effect relationship with what you think, feel, and do.

X happened, and so I decided to do (or not do) Y.

Take a deep breath. Insert yourself into the equation. When you take some responsibility, you also regain some of your autonomy and power. Notice your reaction.

Step 3

Recognize that no direct cause-and-effect relationship necessarily exists between what happens (or what happened–especially in the far distant past) and what you think, feel, or do.

X happened and I did (or didn’t do) Y.

When you stop habitually turning situations, events, conditions, encounters, and incidents into reasons, you reclaim even more of your power. Notice that far more possibilities exist than you may have previously recognized.

Step 4

Free yourself from the habit of creating reasons to justify and explain every little thing. Just do it. Or don’t do it.

I did (or didn’t do) Y.

Discover and exercise your amazing ability to simply act. Experience the freedom of being a cause rather than an effect.

Scientific Explanation — (Photo credit: Wonderlane)

Consider these two groups of people.

One group (Group A) believes that reasons are real and that reasons cause things to happen or not happen.

The other group (Group B) believes that invisible intentional agents are real and that invisible intentional agents cause things to happen or not happen.

What’s the difference between these two groups?

Both Group A and Group B are very confident in their beliefs. But the degree of confidence we have about what we think or believe has no correlation with the accuracy or reality of the thought or belief.

Neither Group A nor Group B can produce a tangible example of a reason or of an invisible intentional agent because both are figments of the imagination.

Whether reasons or invisible intentional agents are causing things to happen or not happen, the people in either group are not responsible.

As a result, the people in both groups have very little power to make things happen or to prevent things from happening.

Meanwhile, the people in Group B are busy (wasting time, effort, and energy) trying to fight off or appease invisible intentional agents, and the people in Group A are busy (wasting time, effort, and energy) first turning the events, situations, encounters, circumstances, and conditions of their lives into reasons—and then trying to address the problems they perceive to be the result of the reasons they have created!

Each group also feels superior to the other group. If you believe in reasons you’re much more likely to be seen as sane—even reasonable—by others. But it makes absolutely no difference whether you believe in reasons or you believe in invisible intentional agents. The bottom line is that something else—not you—is running your life.

4-Step Program for Reason Addicts