This past weekend I was lucky enough to see the author Byron Katie in person in Phoenix. When she was in her 30’s she became severely depressed which lasted nearly 10 years. One day she realized that her own thoughts were making her suffer, not the actual world around her. This led her to create what she now calls “The Work” to teach people how to use her process to help themselves as they work through their own thoughts.
In Katie’s words, “I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn’t believe them, I didn’t suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always.”
She is one of the most calm, inspiring and joyful people that you could meet. The multiple books she has written are helping millions of people. What she is doing to help people is so inspiring and transforming. Her book called Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life was my first introduction to her and her work. You can also go to Byron Katie’s Website and see how to do “The Work” for yourself. There are step by step instructions and it is all there for free.
Imagine how your life could be if you eliminated suffering, negative energy, complaints, anger, sadness and disappointment about yourself and other people by doing this work. It isn’t easy, but if it would make you happier and more joyful, isn’t it worth it? Aren’t you worth it?