[Erock]

All I have to say is: 90% of Americans do this. You are not unique. The Power of Now, A New Earth, and many of the books I have read recently discuss this. Plus I know from personal experience that I used to (and still do, but I am getting better) this all the time.

Listen to me on this, because for about 5 or 6 years I did this non stop, and I always did this when my beliefs were not congruent with reality, and I was trying to convince myself that my beliefs were still right. I would see something, or take in a piece of information that shattered some of my beliefs, and I used self discussion as a method of re-establishing my beliefs.

Tolle discusses how defending a position in an argument makes it a part of you, so what better way to re-establish a firm belief then to argue with yourself? The mind (excuse me, the ego) can be very tricky. Watch out for these loop holes, and thanks, because you reminded me about this particular one (which I just caved to a few hours ago).

Erock