For many people living in our modern, stressed out, anxiety ridden, pressure cooker of a society their experience of life, work, relationships and even physical existence is full of suffering.
While many turn to drugs or other chemical solutions, a growing number of people have discovered a simple approach to alleviate suffering called — simply — “The Work.”
What is the “Work of Byron Katie?”
“The Work” is the child of a woman named Byron Katie who had an awakening around the age of 40. She was fat, sick and miserable. She even admits that she was miserable to be around.
Somehow she discovered that asking herself four simple (yet profound) questions followed by what she calls a “turn-around” caused her personal suffering to vaporize.
The Questions are:
- Is it True?
- Is it absolutely True?
- How do you react when you believe that thought?
- Who would you be without that thought?
Then turn the thought around and test the “true-ness” of the opposite thought(s).
This is the key point.
By questioning the reality and validity of our endless stream of less than enlightened thoughts we can cause a shift in our thinking.
When our thinking changes, so does our world.
As a practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming I am familiar with the power of language to filter and even create our perception of reality.
What Byron Katie has done with her “Work” is to simplify a linguistic process so that it is immediately accessible.
While it is simple and easy to use, sometimes it is still helpful to work with a trained facilitator of “The Work”. I was first introduced to the work by Marylynn Grimes, a certified facilitator of the Work of Byron Katie, who does telephone and skype sessions in the work in Albany NY as well as throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Marylynn Grimes is quick to point out that the person doing the inquiry through The Work is taking back their own power to “stop believing all their thoughts…”
The work is not therapy.
It’s more like coaching or having a guide to explore your own limiting beliefs in a way that exposes them for what they are.
People who do The Work as an ongoing practice commonly report:
- Alleviation of depression: Find resolution, even happiness, in situations that were once debilitating.
- Decreased stress: Learn how to live with less anxiety or fear.
- Improved relationships: Experience deeper connection and intimacy withyour partner, your parents, your children, your friends, and yourself.
- Reduced anger: Understand what makes you angry and resentful, and become less reactive, less often, with less intensity.
- Increased mental clarity: Live and work more intelligently and effectively, with integrity.
- More energy: Experience a new sense of ongoing vigor and well-being.
- More peace: Discover how to become ‘a lover of what is.’”
For more information and to download a free Byron Katie Worksheet simply click the link to Marylynn Grimes’ website. Or if you prefer simply give Marylynn a call at 518.928.5626.