I Love Big Questions
I think my favorite question has always been, “Why?”
“Why?” leads to curious explorations and layers of understanding. And often there is no end to “Why?” Every “Why?” has an answer, and every answer has another “Why?” Just ask any child.
This is philosophy.
And it’s wonderful to explore. But it’s quite different from The Work of Byron Katie.
The Work Deals With Practical Questions
When faced with a stressful thought, The Work does not ask you, “Why is it stressful?” It does not ask, “Why?” at all.
Instead The Work asks, “How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?” The Work deals in practicalities.
The only concern of The Work is to find out how that stressful thought is working for you. And who would you be without it? And could the opposite be just as true, or truer?
That’s Why You Don’t Need to Tell Your Facilitator Much About Your Situation
A facilitator doesn’t need to know why you believe you’re in such a difficult situation. Not at all. All your facilitator needs is a short version of what you’re upset about.
Maybe it’s, “He disrespected me.”
The rest is very practical. “How do you react when you believe that thought? Who would you be without the thought in that situation? And could the opposite be true?”
That’s All The Work Is About
Getting out of the nightmare.
And the way out is simply to notice and turn it around. If you delve into philosophy when you’re stressed, you just spin a tighter web to bind yourself. Do you really need to know why that monster is so scary? No. Let’s just get out of here!
So leave philosophy, and it’s favorite question, “Why?” for when you’re feeling good, and safe. And keep your questions practical when you’re feeling stressed.
Have a great week,
Todd
“I’m not here with a philosophy or the right or wrong of it. Just inquiry.” — Byron Katie, Loving What Is.
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