What we’re about
In this group, we'll share "The Work" of Byron Katie--discussing the process of inquiry, doing The Work on our thoughts, and sharing about our experiences. The Work, or Inquiry, is a meditation. From Byron Katie's website, thework.com, this quote:
"A Simple Yet Powerful Practice--As we do The Work of Byron Katie, not only do we remain alert to our stressful thoughts—the ones that cause all the anger, sadness, and frustration in our world—but we question them, and through that questioning the thoughts lose their power over us. "
Many people have experienced real shifts and breakthroughs simply from doing "The Work".
How does The Work work? First, identify a painful thought, usually about someone or something that upsets you. In the process take the thought, situate yourself in the context of the thought, and ask four questions about the thought:
1) Is it true?
2) Can you absolutely know it's true?
3) How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
4) Who would you be without that thought?
Afterwhich, "turnaround" the thought and see what else could be true.
While the work can be done alone, it can be helpful, especially for those newer to the process of inquiry, or those with seemingly especially painful thoughts, to have someone facilitate The Work with you. In starting this group, I hope to help you facilitate your experience with The Work. As the initial host (and I welcome others), I have experience doing inquiry for myself and facilitating others. I have attended Byron Katie's 9-day School for the Work, her 30-day live-in Turnaround House, many other live and online events, and completed coursework towards facilitator certification. I've had the wonderful opportunity to do The Work with Katie, herself, multiple times.
Recently during this pandemic, I was attending a online event with Byron Katie and became inspired to host an online group, here in Northern Colorado, with the hope that once the social distancing abates, we might gather regularly as a group in person. In addition to facilitating doing The Work, I can imagine us reading Katie's books, including her newest "A Mind at Home with Itself" if there's interest.
If you're new to The Work, you're very welcome to join us. Katie (she refers to herself as Katie, not Byron) offers a wealth of resources at thework.com. On her website you'll note items such as "Judge Your Neighbor" or "One Belief at A Time" worksheets, or the new "I Complain About ..." worksheet. Feel free to explore her website and come to our MeetUps with a worksheet, or come with a blank one and we'll fill it out together.
And then well do The Work. Really, all you need is a thought that gives you pain. The Work does the rest!
