Inspiration from the Couch

EP 29: Embrace Naked Reality

November 04, 2021 Avery Hoenig, PhD, Jamie Wilson, PhD, and Lucy Smith, PhD Episode 29
Inspiration from the Couch
EP 29: Embrace Naked Reality
Show Notes

In today’s episode we discuss the concept, Embrace Naked Reality, from the book, Being of Power by Baron Baptiste. Embracing naked reality refers to challenging the meaning making that we continuously do. Experiences that we have on a daily basis don’t really have an emotional charge to them --- it’s the meaning or the stories that we give to events or interactions that create that emotional charge. Jamie, Lucy, and Avery share their own examples of emotionally charged interpretations/stories vs. the “naked reality” of each situation. We explore what it feels like to practice taking off the filters (these stories, meanings, and interpretations) and come to a “neutral vision” – meaning there is nothing added that blocks or limits our view. We also share unhelpful stories, particularly stories around fear, that have been beneficial for us to drop and how grounding can be a useful tool to cope.

Note: No prior reading/knowledge of this book is required to enjoy and benefit from this episode. Similarly, you do not need to have listened to the prior episodes in this series for this episode to make sense (though we definitely recommend you listen to all of them!!!). 

Do try this at home:

  • Start naming your stories/interpretations as stories and interpretations (rather than facts).
  • Use essential, simple language when describing your experience.
  • Ask questions and be curious about your experience rather than making assumptions.