An example of a metaphor is,
You are my sunshine.
If you were to say this to one of your family members,
It would mean,
Just like the sun brings warmth and happiness to someone's life,
Your loved one does the same,
By bringing warmth and happiness to your day.
So,
A metaphor is a comparison between two things that share a common characteristic.
One thing feels equal to another because it has this characteristic.
Metaphors can be an incredibly effective way of helping us make space for our unhelpful thoughts.
They help us take perspective.
It's that very perspective that changes the way we relate to them.
This perspective helps us see thoughts for what they are,
Just thoughts.
Hands as Thoughts by Russ Harris The Hands as Thoughts metaphor is a combination of both metaphor and an exercise.
It's an active depiction of being caught up by our thoughts and then seeing them for what they are,
Just thoughts.
Imagine for a moment that your hands are thoughts.
Hold your hands together,
Palms open,
As if they're pages of an open book.
Then,
Slowly and steadily,
Raise your hands up towards your face.
Keep going until they are covering your eyes.
Now take a few moments to look at the world around you through the gaps between your fingers and notice how this affects your view of the world.
What would it be like going around all day with your hands covering your eyes in this manner?
How much would it limit you?
How much would you miss out on?
How would it reduce your ability to respond to the world around you?
This is like fusion.
We become so caught up in our thoughts that we lose contact with many aspects of our here and now experience.
And our thoughts have such a huge influence over what we do that our ability to act effectively is significantly reduced.
Now,
Once again,
Cover your eyes with your hands.
Look at the world again through the gaps in your fingers.
But this time,
Lower them from your face very,
Very slowly.
As your hands slowly descend beneath your eyes,
Notice how much easier it is to connect with the world around you.
Wiggle your fingers.
There are your thoughts.
There's more distance between you and your thoughts.
Your thoughts don't disappear.
But getting some separation allows you to engage more fully and flexibly,
Freeing you up to choose to do things and fully appreciate these things that are important to you.
Over the next 24 hours,
Go over this metaphor.
Have it in your mind.
Maybe even embellish it a little bit so it's even more vivid.
See how and when it pops up.
Notice what happens.
