Distortion

What it is

A distortion is any departure from truth. It is not evil, nor is it our true nature. Rather, it is a misunderstanding that has become part of the way we think, feel and react.

Why it matters

Every Lower Self distortion covers an original divine quality. The goal is never to destroy what is distorted, but to restore it to its true expression.

From Bones

~1~

“Does humanity really rest on a bottomless pit of evil and destruction? Or is it possible that these are aspects in distortion and they don’t really need to exist?”

If it’s true what they say, that the universe is trustworthy and completely good and safe, then why should we be afraid to be what we are? (Chapter 2)

~2~

There are three major divine attributes—love, power and serenity—that in the healthy person work as a team. They work together side by side, humming along in perfect harmony. And they alternate taking the lead, depending on what the situation calls for.

… But when they are in distortion, they step all over each other. (Chapter 7)

~3~

Power seekers are also wired to never fail. Ever. We take pride in never failing at anything. If we think we might fail, we just head in another direction.

Compare this with the submissive type who glorifies failure because it proves we are helpless and forces the other to protect us.

As we can see, the dictates of these two solutions are in direct opposition to each other. But any time we choose to use one of the divine attributes in distortion, the others come along for the ride, also in distortion.

This mixture of the three distortions wrenches us apart.

For one thing, we cannot do justice to the dictates of our chosen solution. We also can’t possibly get all these distortions to work together. (Chapter 7)

~4~

We will discover, more and more, how the divine attributes of love, power and serenity can go hand in hand, in a healthy way. They only cause a war within when they are in distortion. (Chapter 7)

~5~

The first step in addressing any distortion is becoming aware of it. This may not be as easy as it might sound. (Chapter 14)

~6~

Since life, in its truest essence, can’t be negatively oriented, all negativity can only be a distortion.

The thing to remember is that under every distortion, what’s real—what’s infinitely positive—still exists. And it always sends forth its positive effects. This happens no matter how much negative distortion we overlay it with. In other words, it happens no matter how strong our temporary negative distortion is right now.

In short, being a human means there is life. So a person can’t be fully negative—even if on the surface, to our human eyes, it might seem so. (Chapter 16)

Continue with: Duality • Fault • No-current