"Why" Chain

The Intent

Illumination begins by surfacing the root, intrinsic values behind your surface-level goals. Use the "Why" Chain to follow your goals until you arrive at the drivers that lie beneath your actions.

The Practice

Select an important, meaningful goal that you wish to understand. Write it down, and then ask yourself: "Why is this important to me?". Write down the answer, and then ask "Why?" again. Continue until no further reason exists and you have reached the core. Record the final answer.

The Insight

The last "Why?" reveals what sustains the goal. If it's an external "Why?", it is yet another borrowed script to discard. However, if the "Why?" is intrinsic, no matter what it is, it is likely an intrinsic driver to be noted and carried over. This process illuminates the true foundations of your motivations.