Does The Work Seem Too Intellectual?
At first look, you may think that The Work is all intellect. Just like playing chess. But that’s only phase one of The Work.
The Work Uses both Intellect and Heart
The intellect’s job is to discriminate. The heart’s job is to join. Without both of these The Work doesn’t work.
For example, look at the turnarounds of The Work. At first glance, the turnarounds seem like just an intellectual exercise of finding opposites.
And this is true. Finding the turnarounds is the job of the intellect. The intellect’s job is literally to look under every rock, to look at every possible opposite of what you believe. And to come up with as many possible examples of how these turnarounds could be true.
But That’s only Phase One
The second phase, which is equally important is to try on all those turnarounds that the intellect has found. The intellect’s job is done. It’s now the job of the heart to open to what the intellect has found, to experience the turnarounds, to take them in and try them on.
And the heart will tell you what is true for you.
You may come up with a dozen turnarounds and examples. Great work, intellect! But when you try each of them on, you may find only one or two that truly resonate with your heart.
It only takes one to set you free.
So Let The Intellect Look Everywhere
Let it check under every rock like a child running here and there. You may find some useless things along the way. But under some of those rocks will be the treasures you take home.
Have a great week,
Todd
“Don’t get stuck in the turnarounds, as if there is a right or wrong way of doing them. If a turnaround doesn’t work for you, don’t worry. That is as it should be. Just move on to the next statement. Inquire sincerely, and let the turnarounds find you.” — Byron Katie, Loving What Is, p. 147.
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