Copyright 2001, Colin C. Tipping

Fig. 15:
Separating Fact From Fiction
A forgiveness centrifuge simply reverses the process
by which we come up with stories about what happened
to us. To use it, take the story you are living now — the
one that is causing you discomfort. Remember, it is
certain to be a hopeless mixture of fact (what hap-
pened) and interpretation (all your thoughts, judgments,
assessments, assumptions, and beliefs about what
happened).
Feed the story into the top of the imaginary centrifuge,
just like you would with carrots in a juicer, and then, in
your mind, see the machine separating the facts from
the interpretations.
Then, like any good researcher, first make a list of the
facts as they emerge, being as objective as possible.
Then make a list of the interpretations you made about
the facts.
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The Facts About What Happened
After writing down your results, acknowledge the facts
and accept them. Recognize that the facts tell what
happened and that no one can do anything to change
that. You have no choice but to allow what happened to
be exactly what happened, but watch for any tendency
to make excuses for what happened. This to impose
interpretation on the facts once again. Just stay with
what actually happened.
Next, examine every thought, belief, rationalization, idea,
or attitude you imposed on what happened, and de-
clare them all to be 
untrue
. Affirm that none of them
have validity. Tell yourself they just represent mind-talk.
Then, recognize how important your ideas, beliefs and
attitudes are to you. Look at your 
attachment 
to each
of them, and decide which of them you possibly are
ready to drop and which you are not.
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