"So you don't drop your thoughts of chaos and suffering out there in the apparent world. You can't drop them, because you didn't make them in the first place. But when you meet your thoughts with understanding, the world changes. It has to change, because the projector of the entire world is you." ~ Byron Katie
The Work of Byron Katie is a contemplation of four questions, and our own unique answers. It invites us to notice how we live when we believe our thoughts, and how it could be if we question them, and realize they may not be the only truth, or true at all. First we identify a thought that’s causing some kind of stress (anger, sadness, anxiety, hurt, etc). We question one thought at a time. Ask, Listen and Discover:
Is it true?
Can you absolutely know it’s true?
How do you react, what happens, when you believe the thought?
Who would you be without the thought?
Then we turn the thought around. Finding turnaround examples is an
opportunity to experience something different than what we believed was the only truth.
For example, let’s look at the thought “They're wasting their life”
We ask and answer the four questions.
Then, we turn the thought around exploring examples that could be as true or even truer.
I'm wasting their life.
Examples: In my imagination (not reality), I see them in worst case scenarios. I put them in that hopelessness. I'm wasting time in my fears which stops me from enhancing time and expressing love. It stops me from offering my heart to just connecting to them and with them. This disconnect can be more more painful than the events. It stops me from inspiration to find ways to be love and peace, and ways to help in ways that are helpful, so I miss opportunities to contribute to life and love in their life, and my own.
I'm wasting my life.
Examples: I can spend a lot of time in fear and then paralysis. I can isolate and get stuck, not joining life in a pro-active way. I'm wasting all the unconditional love that can be found in me and through me. That disconnects me from me, and from my loved ones. This causes great pain to waste my life this way. It is so good to see this as this becomes an invitation to see the truth of it, and to find ways to reconnect with love and life. What would that look like? Gratitude for what is present and available is a powerful place to begin!
They're not wasting their life.
Examples: I have not been assigned the master of their life and their divine purpose and contribution, whatever that might look like. I believe that all can be used for transformation, not wasted. Someone, somewhere is learning from their life, including me. They are worthy, nothing wasted. Their life matters! to me and no matter how they are living it. My job is to love them wherever they are at in their life, the life I do not own, the path I can not choose or do for them. I can love them, as is, now! They are not wasted there, and neither am I! Connected!
It’s helpful to notice our answers with compassion and to seek truth for understanding, not blame or criticism. You know the saying the truth sets you free? It sure can! In the process of doing The Work, confusion can turn to clarity and understanding. Where there is understanding, there can be peace.
The Work is not therapy, it’s not to condone harmful actions, and it’s not to deny or change the thought. It's about self-realization. It’s a way to embrace reality and address situations in a more effective way. New information arises from our inner wisdom and our heart. New insights into how to approach life and circumstances in a more proactive way are also effects of doing The Work. It’s a way to move into a kinder way, and out of fear, unmet expectations, misplaced assumptions, misunderstandings, depression, anxiety, blame, and more.
Doing The Work reveals the cause and effect of what we’re thinking and believing, as well as what can change. The Work provides an opportunity that is profound, complete and powerful because it's such a personal experience. Your answers are your own, and can be felt on various levels: physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. I invite you to experience this transformative process. I've become someone far more peaceful, capable, and willing to inquire through the confusion. During inquiry, I feel a shift away from the stress of believing my assumptions and stories, and into truths that bring greater understanding and direction. This inevitably and reliably brings a more relaxed state of body and mind. With inquiry, I come out on the other side … from darkness into light, and lighter, one thought at a time. And, you can too.
You can believe your thoughts and stressful stories, or question them.
How about you? Contact me today.
You’ll find helpful worksheets to do The Work below. Welcome!
