"Is that true?"

"We don't think thoughts, they think us." ~ Byron Katie


If you haven't heard what 'The Work' is than I hope that you read further.  A book was recently recommended to me from someone who is in one of the many groups that I belong to.  She had mentioned that she had been finding a book with  the title of  "I Need Your Love - Is That True?" by Byron Katie very helpful and freeing.  I didn't really  know what it was about but I knew that the title called to me.


I went to the library, probably the very next day, and borrowed it.  As I read, I was floored by the simplicity of 'The Work' and yet amazed at how profound it is.  I was reading example after example of how this process worked for others.  And found myself using the very first question and then the turn around without having actually finished the book yet.  What I realized was that by just questioning my fearful thoughts with an 'Is that true?' followed by turning my thought around to change the dynamics completely diffused any emotions that I had attached to it.

For example if I didn't hear from someone when they said they would call and I was feeling like the person was mad at me or didn't care about me.  I would ask myself  'Is that true?" sometimes I would say yes or I don't know if I was really attached to feeling crappy.  Then I would ask question number two, "Can I absolutely know for certain that that is true?"  Of course the answer was no, I couldn't know for certain that the person was mad at me or didn't care.  Then I would turn it around to "I don't care about me by letting myself worry about why this person hasn't called like they said they would."

In that moment, all of the hurt emotions had been immediately dissolved!  It felt like magic - I know it sounds crazy but you really have to try it to believe it.  Even I couldn't believe that something as simple as a four question process with a turn around would really work like it does.  Since then I've used it in all different types of situations. Every time I do I am amazed at how well it works and how simple it truly is!!

Here is what The Work consists of (it's really general and I would suggest going to Katie's site, 'The Work' for more detailed information - either way I know this will change your life even if  you choose to do it only once!)

The Work

What thought is causing you pain or fear right now?  Ask yourself this question:

1. Is that true? 

Answer only with a Yes, No or I don't know. (if yes go to question 3)

2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?

Answer only with a Yes or No.  (I've found that here I usually can't know that it's absolutely true.)

3. How do you react when you think that thought?

List all the ways that you react - I obsess, I worry, I'm nasty to my friends and family, I walk on egg shells.  Whatever comes up for you use it!

4. Who would you be without that thought?

List who you would be, how you would feel, anything you can think of. I'd be calm, I'd be more peaceful, etc.

Then 'Turn It Around"

Original thought example:  I judge Mike when he doesn't do things the way I want him to and I treat him very badly.

Turn Around would be:  I judge myself when I don't do things the way I want to and I treat myself very badly.

Katie's site has more examples and I suggest checking them out for more ideas on how to question your thoughts as this was just a very simplistic explanation of 'The Work'.  My intention was just to get you interested and exciting enough to want to learn more.  I am still learning :).  I look forward to reading Katie's additional books, Ive already gotten  "Loving What Is."and I look forward to reading "A Thousand Names for Joy: Living in Harmony with the Way Things Are" next.

So what are you waiting for??  Start questioning those thoughts and start feeling better today!!