The Work about Work; Byron Katie
Byron Katie is renowned in personal development circles. She’s written numerous books that are rich with insights. I’ve re-read Your Inner Awakening. I had the opportunity to learn from her during my teacher certification with Deepak Chopra in 2012. It was such a profound experience, yet I didn’t really incorporate “The Work” until very recently
Why The Work?
In Your Inner Awakening, Katie proposes the concept that a confused mind is painful. Further she shares that a chaotic mind is suffering; the unquestioned mind is the only suffering possible. Let that one sink in… It makes sense, doesn’t it? We are on autopilot A LOT. We have on average between 50 – 75K+ thoughts a day (depending on which research study you read). And, the vast majority of those thoughts are repetitive from day to day. If you slowed down the internal soundtrack to your life AND paid attention to ‘what’ is being said, what do you hear and consequently see? Surprisingly, the soundtrack can be quite negative. Consequently, this is where limiting beliefs thrive.
What is The Work?
The work is a process comprised of four questions and a turnaround. It also requires that you become more aware of your thoughts, mindful, if you will. (There are a lot of mindfulness practices, so find one that works for you. I’m a fan of focusing on the breath and meditation.) You begin by capturing stressful concepts or thoughts. Write them down as you encounter them. I use the MicroSoft OneNote App for my phone. Then as you have the time, begin The Work.
The Work Questions (source: Facilitation Guide for The Work of Byron Katie)
When answering the below questions, close your eyes and be still. Notice what comes up for you. Inquiry stops working the moment you stop answering the questions.
- Is it true? (Yes or No, if no, move to question #3)
- Can you absolutely know that it is true? (Yes or No)
- How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
- Does the thought bring peace or stress to your life?
- What images do you see, past and future, and what physical sensations arise as you think that thought and witness those images?
- What emotions arise when you believe that thought?
- Do any obsessions or addictions begin to appear when you believe that thought? (Do you act out on any of the following: alcohol, drugs, credit cards, food, sex, television, computers?)
- How do you treat the person in this situation when you believe the thought? How do you treat other people and yourself?
- Who would you be without the thought? Who or what are you without the thought?
The Work Turnaround
A statement can be turned around to the self, to the other and to the opposite. Important step, find at least three specific, genuine examples of how each turnaround is true for you in this situation. For each turn around, go back and start with the original statement. For example, “My boss disregards me” may be turned around to “I disregard my boss”, “I disregard me”, “I notice my boss”, “My boss notices me”. There may be other turnarounds, but you get the gist.
The premise is when you question your thoughts you see choices around the stress and suffering. How amazing would it be to not only see choices, but to let go of the limiting beliefs and associated negative emotions? By seeing differently, it’s easier to leverage these insights to set goals. Goals to be the person or leader you want to be, have the career or life you want to have and do the things that you’ve longed to do!
We only have a finite amount of time on this planet, and you can choose how to spend that time.
Are you ready?: Press HERE for Success
I wish you much success on your career quest. Yours in balance, learning, growth and harmony. – Melissa DeLuca, CEO
