When Dealing with Facts, Question 4 Can Be Challenging
Question 4 of The Work is: “Who would you be without the thought? Sometimes it can be challenging to answer this question.
Especially when you’re dealing with a statement of fact. For example: Who would you be without the thought, this is poison ivy?
Some people answer, “I would be irresponsible, or ignorant, without that thought. I might go and touch it and get a rash.”
This May Be True, But It’s Not the Point Here
The answer of being irresponsible without the thought is still based on the idea of good and bad. If you leave good and bad out of it, and just experience who you are without the thought, it is a much more neutral experience.
For example, without that the thought that this is poison ivy, I see smooth leaves, rusty in color. I see the reflection of sunlight. I feel a sweet nostalgia as I associate it with the autumn colors of my childhood. I am at peace, breathing, openhearted.
But Sometimes It’s Hard to Find this Space
This is because the mind is still attached to the idea that poison ivy is bad. The mind still wants to stay in the familiar area of “How do I react?” (the domain of question 3), the familiar fear and aversion.
But question 4 brings you into unknown territory. And the mind sometimes resists it.
Who would I be without that thought? Question 4 invites you to look at the same poison ivy as if you had never seen it before.
And that’s not always easy. Though it can be revolutionary when you do so.
But If You Can’t Get There, There Are Many Ways to Play with Question 4
One of my new favorites is:
Who would you be if you didn’t think it was a bad thing?
A client of mine came up with this, and I think it’s brilliant. It helps separate the observation (this is poison ivy) from the interpretation (this is a bad thing). And can be helpful for dropping into the question, “Who would you be without the thought?”
Granted, this may not be helpful in all situations. And overall, I still prefer “Who would you be without the thought?” Yet, I find this twist to be quite helpful.
I invite you to try it out and let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Have a great week,
Todd
“The Work is about internal cause and effect. It’s not about external things.” — Byron Katie, Question Your Thinking, Change the World p. 140.
If you like this article, feel free to forward the link to friends, family or colleagues. Or share the link on Facebook or other social media. If you have thoughts you’d like to share about it, please leave your comments below.
Get a new article about The Work of Byron Katie every week. Subscribe to the newsletter here.
