No one can give you Freedom but You!!!

No one can give you Freedom but You!!!
- Byron Katie

I have been asked what events or revelations played crucial roles in my life. Today, I would like to share one of them. In August 2003, I spent a week in Brussels Belgium at Byron Katie's School for The Work. Katie's methods and the events of that week were one of the major turning points in my attitude toward life and toward myself. I gained a new appreciation for how self-important I was and the extent to which that self-importance caused me to suffer.

I had thought that I knew how things should be, relationships, religion, politics, world affairs, and much more. I discovered that I had my own opinions, and that was all. I had thought that I was open minded and acceptive of all people. I discovered how prejudiced I was.

In one amazing week I came to know myself far better than ever before, and to gain a far greater ability to choose happiness regardless of circumstances.

Katie calls what she does "The Work," and central to The Work is Inquiry. Inquiry is the process of analyzing a resentment until it no longer creates suffering.

Here is a quick peek at Byron Katie's Inquiry:

The Four Questions and Turnaround...

Focus on a specific resentment in which you are angry with another person for something, especially something they continue to do. As an example, "Paul doesn't listen to me." Now, ask four questions about the resentment...

1. Is it true? In the example, "Is it true that Paul doesn't listen to me?"

2. Can you absolutely know that it's true? (Or is it only true from my personal point-of-view?)

3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought? In the example, do you become upset and suffer when you believe that Paul doesn't support you?

4. Who would you be without the thought? Imagine simply not having the thought "Paul doesn't listen to me," would you have less stress and suffering?

Now "turn around" the resentment in several ways. Possible "turnarounds" are, “I don’t listen to Paul,” “I don’t listen to myself,” and “Paul DOES listen to me.”

For each turnaround, ask yourself whether is is as true or truer than the original statement (resentment).

I can't even begin to do justice to the power of The Work in this brief glimpse.

Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Shared with LOVE:

♥Stassy♥Love♥

~♥ Love Guides~Fear Divides ♥~
~♥ Love Guides~Anger Divides ♥~
~♥ Love Guides~Hatred Divides♥~
~♥Love is The Key ♥ Be the Key ♥~

Comments

Spiritual Awareness

Spiritual Awareness by Evette Gardner It does not take a great effort (or any effort at all actually) to grow in spiritual awareness. Just be aware, that's all. Spiritual awareness is simply about being mindful of spiritual Truths. You don't have to go around obsessing about these Truths to be aware of them. Nor is there really any need to constantly immerse yourself in deep thought in order to break through and "see the (spiritual) light." Spiritual awareness is not something that you can gain by force. You cannot compel yourself to become more spiritually aware, you merely have to be open to what is already within you. Are you aware that the sky is blue? Or that sugar tastes sweet? These truths, in general, are universally elementary. Realizing them does not take any degree of deep thought or obsessive contemplation. They are just things that you are aware of. You don't have to go around constantly reminding yourself that the sky is blue or that sugar ta...

Today’s Key to Spiritual Growth

Today’s Key to Spiritual Growth by Owen Waters The heart-centered consciousness of the New Reality includes an expanded viewpoint of the world; one which encourages service to others. The emerging theme today is about more than social responsibility or supporting the general good. It’s about how much you can help others through your efforts. When it comes to spiritual growth, the same expanded viewpoint applies. The key to spiritual progress today is not retreating into a cave to find enlightenment, but giving active spiritual service. Today, spiritual progress is to be found in the noise and clatter of a world caught up in the turmoil of rapid change. Your greatest opportunity for spiritual growth occurs, paradoxically, when catastrophe strikes. No matter where it strikes, you can send positive energy to change the energy of the situation and bring relief and healing. If you are a spiritual healer, you already know how to do this. If you are a person...

As the World Rises

As the World Rises Heavenletters Someone has to step out of the mold, and I think that someone is you. Step out of the established patterns without fanfare. It is not that you give up the world. It is just that you start following your heart. Sometimes you haven't heard your heart. You haven't consulted it. You may not have even considered it. Many times you have simply followed along on a march that many follow along on and yet where your heart is not. Nevertheless, your heart is beating, and now you begin to listen to it. For how long can you neglect your heart? For how long can you follow a march that isn't your heart's beat? When you listen to your heart, your life may not seem so different on the outside, yet the path you have stepped out of is the well-beaten past. The past no longer holds you in its thrall. Love your heart, and love what it tells you. You are not, beloved, meant to be a marionette nor are you to pretend to yourself that you are. And,...

Stassy Love

Search This Blog