In This Video:
Most of us are not living in the present moment, but in a 'presentation'—a false self built to hide what we truly feel. This persona, like a Halloween costume held up by scaffolding, is the source of our suffering. When you use Inward Engineering to see the puppet cords and armatures holding it up, the whole structure can finally fall away. This isn't about becoming better; it's about ceasing to be what you are not.
- In your next conversation, can you feel the difference between your direct, present experience and the 'presentation' you are offering the other person?
- What are the 'nuts and bolts'—the specific beliefs, memories, or fears—that you sense are holding your particular 'costume' in place?
- If you were to stop propping up the presentation for even a moment, what do you fear would happen? Who would you be without the show?
TRANSCRIPT
[00:00:01] So you talk about presentation instead of present. So in the present you're going to be feeling a certain way. [00:00:18] You go and put on a presentation. You know, build something else in the present to show that. [00:00:27] It's an imitation. [00:00:41] Then but what okay so how is that put together? ... what's putting that holding that puppet out? [00:01:24] The phantom, it's a phantom, right? [00:01:38] Well it might be dressed as a princess and a fairy goddess and all these or you know the savior or whatever it is, but really it's a Halloween costume. [00:01:49] At the end of the day, because it leads to suffering and darkness within and without. [00:02:48] The shape of the costume's shape depends on personal history and personality; the outer look hides inner scaffolding. [00:03:23] Take away the armatures, the mechanics. Take away the nuts and bolts. They construct the scaffolding.
GLOSSARY
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Presentation
An outward performance or 'costume' built in the present moment to hide one's actual inner state. It's an imitation of presence that ultimately leads to suffering. -
The Phantom
Rohan's term for the illusory self-structure that holds up the 'presentation.' It's the unseen operator, the ghost in the machine, that keeps the false show running. -
Armatures
The nuts, bolts, and mechanics that form the scaffolding of the false self. These are the supporting beliefs, memories, and habits that hold the persona in place. -
Halloween Costume
A metaphor for the false self. No matter how beautiful or noble it appears—a princess, a saviour—it's ultimately an empty costume, not what you truly are. -
Puppet Cords
The invisible forces of conditioning, history, and belief that manipulate the 'presentation' or persona. Self-inquiry is about finding and seeing these cords for what they are.
Q&A
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What is the difference between being 'present' and putting on a 'presentation'?
Being present is your direct, unfiltered experience in the moment. A 'presentation' is a performance or 'costume' you build over that experience to hide what you truly feel. Rohan teaches this imitation is a primary source of inner suffering and darkness. -
What does it mean to live as a 'false self'?
Living as a false self means identifying with a constructed persona—a 'Halloween costume'—instead of your true nature. This persona is held up by armatures of personal history and belief. It's an imitation of life, not life itself. -
How can I stop performing and be more authentic?
Instead of trying to be authentic, investigate what holds the performance in place. Rohan suggests looking for the 'puppet cords' and removing the 'nuts and bolts'—the beliefs and mechanics supporting the false self. When the scaffolding is seen, the structure naturally falls.
“There’s nothing to add. What you are is prior to beliefs, thoughts and labels.
Here we explore and unveil the ultimate mystery of non-dual being.
Reality.”
