Everyone Needs A Burn Book

 “It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.”― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Photo by Cullan Smith on Unsplash

People who have committed some of the most heinous crimes against humanity never thought they would ever be capable of doing what they did, but that evil came from somewhere within, brewing for years over the fires of suffering. How do we get to the point where we justify a great crime in our minds? If you’ve never read Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, he addresses this very question masterfully and I highly recommend the read. The greater question in my mind is, “How do we ensure we never get to that point?”

Why am I going there now? Am I capable of that? Is that serious? It is not serious at all…It’s simply a fantasy to amuse myself; a plaything! Yes, maybe it is a plaything. — Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment

WHAT IS A BURN BOOK?

One of my childhood mentors was a wonderful Persian woman who taught me about journaling on papers she would burn in a fire after writing, in order to be free to write everything in her heart (including the darkness) for her God’s eyes only. What this revealed to her was an honest reflection of the inner turmoil hiding within her but was very real and in need of confrontation. I have adapted this method to my life through writing and meditation for the sake of confronting my own inner demons and it has helped me overcome some of the skeletons buried deep in the bowels of my soul. The reality is we are all capable of great evil if we are not honest with ourselves about the wicked thoughts that pop up in our minds when we are deep in our pain cycle of destructive coping mechanisms. Those moments of desperation are when we are most likely to commit dangerous and calamitous actions toward ourselves or others. Rather than being surprised after doing something awful, familiarize yourself with your darkness so you know how to protect yourself and others.

Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light. Try not to take it personally. ― Kamand Kojouri

HOW DOES A BURN BOOK WORK?

It may seem simple but writing in a burn book requires a fortified mind and a resoluteness about how you are going to confront whatever you are able to exercise from within. This is not a process that can be rushed or taken lightly because this level of honesty can be difficult emotionally. Meditation is crucial to this process because you must transcend the physical reality of who you are to see beyond the flesh with the mind’s eye into your soul. It is not seeing with your eye, but seeing through your eye beyond the ego and the image you portray to others. When you are writing malicious thoughts or fantasies, you are deconstructing the facade to see your truest form which does not need to be suppressed but exposed. Once you expose it, you can address it and protect yourself from your own malevolence. Remember this is for your eyes only and the flames that engulf them, so it is essential that you burn the pages immediately after writing them lest someone accuse you of something incriminating (if your mind goes there).

An awake heart is like a sky that pours light. ― Hafiz

Write everything down, allow yourself to be shocked, allow yourself to grieve, allow yourself to be angry but remember, “There is nothing new under the sun.” You are not alone in your thoughts. This process allows you to hold your thoughts captive, and feed them no more so they do not give birth to action. After you expose it in writing, tear the pages out and cast it in the fire to watch your darkness scorched in the flames. The imagery is powerful for you psychologically in overcoming the iniquity lurking within. Now you are taking control over the bad thoughts so they do not control you. After you’ve watched the pages burn, intentionally set your minds on positive things you are thankful for and want to accomplish. Speak good character traits over yourself out loud in order to activate your Reticular Activating System, then your brain will develop a positive self-image. If you believe in a loving God, prayer has been proven, in the field of neuroscience, to positively affect the mood and build resilience against depression and anxiety. Meditation for at least 30 minutes a day with guided breathing has also been proven to improve brain function and prevent heart problems.

“Certainly work is not always required of a man. There is such a thing as a sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.” — George MacDonald