Dear Presence Groups Friends,

4 times this week, we will learn about, and practice the mind-blowing, practical and freedom producing 4 questions of Byron Katie's 'The Work' with others.  I am hosting 'Inquiry Circles' at Central Market North and South.

*Upcoming Inquiry Circle Dates:

Mon, Wed: Jan 16 & 18, at Central Market, North Lamar, 7pm
Tues, Thurs: Jan 17 & 19 at Central Market Westgate at 12pm

 **For more information about The Work , see this Summary of Byron Katie's 4 Question Method and Resources or Byron Katie’s website  for many videos, books, etc.

Our meetings are led by Amanda Winters, LCSW.*For More about Amanda, see http://www.catalystforfun.com/about-amanda.html Amanda also offers a Catalyst for Fun Newsletter and Website, listing personal development, fun and community events you are invited to access.

****************************************************
Also, please join us for our Meetup Groups to study ‘The Work’ of Byron Katie Meetup Groups Thursdays, 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, Austin, TX in Room 13 *Suggested donation of $5 to cover room rental

To bring to meetings: Bring a list of your stress-producing thoughts to the meeting, come unprepared, or MOST recommended brainstorm about your troubling thought with this worksheet : http://www.thework.com/thework-jyn.php  Here is a video about how to fill out the worksheet as well: http://www.thework.com/thework-jyn.php

To receive a Free Intro to The Work of Byron Katie,

or to book a private counseling or session of The Work,  

Contact Amanda Winters,  LCSW, and Facilitator of 'The Work'

email: [masked]

or call [masked]

*For more info on Byron Katie, see her website, www.thework.com, and/or you can watch Katie doing The Work in many videos on www.youtube.com and her website.  

*Also, click here for a Summary of Byron Katie's ‘The Work’ Method & Resources, written by our facilitator, Amanda, which include a free helpline to assist others in doing The Work. 

Above: Byron Katie and a picture of our Austin Presence Group    Meeting in Nov, 2011

**************************************

The Four Questions of the Work are:

Is it true?

Can you absolutely know that it's true?

How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?

Who would you be without the thought?

After you have investigated your statement using the four questions above, you're ready to turn around the concept you're questioning.

Each turnaround is an opportunity to experience the opposite of what you originally believed.

A statement can be turned around to the opposite, to the other, and to the self (and sometimes to "my thinking," when that feels appropriate). Find a minimum of three genuine, specific examples of how each turnaround is true in your life, and then allow yourself the time and presence to feel them deeply.

For example, "Paul doesn't understand me" turns around to "Paul does understand me." Be still and witness as your mind reveals to you examples of how this turnaround is true. Those examples might look like:

• He understands that when I'm angry I always get over it.
  
  
• He understood me last week when he laughed at the joke I was telling him.

• He understood me yesterday when I told him I really needed to get away with friends. He even stayed home with the kids.

Another turnaround is "I don't understand me." Again, find at least three genuine, specific examples of times that you have not understood yourself.

A third turnaround is "I don't understand Paul." Relax, close your eyes, and with an open mind witness as the images and feelings within you begin to show you, example by example, of where you have not understood Paul. Be very gentle and thorough.

The turnarounds are your prescription for happiness. Live the medicine you have been prescribing for others. The world is waiting for just one person to live it. You're the one.

******************

Why we meet:

"Group work can be helpful for intensifying the light of your presence. A group of people coming together in a state of presence generates a collective energy field of great intensity. It not only raises the degree of presence of each member of the group but also helps to free the collective human consciousness from its current state of mind dominance. This will make the state of presence increasingly more accessible to individuals".

** The purpose of this group is to experience Presence and to meet others who are interested in studying and discussing the essential words of spiritual teachers.

Currently, we are studying "The Work" of internationally recognized spiritual teacher, Byron Katie. *Previously this group has concentrated on studying teacher Eckhart Tolle's works. and may do so in the future.

Should you have any questions about the Austin Presence Meetup group, please contact Joe Linsalata at [masked] or [masked]

 ****************************************************

 Also, please join us for our Meetup Groups to study  ‘The Work’ of Byron Katie.  

Meetup Groups Thursdays, 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, Austin, TX in Room 13  *Suggested donation of $5 to cover room rental