What’s your favorite romance novel?
Can you picture it? Do you remember reading it? And cherishing each word?
Reading a romance novel is a lovely thing. It gives the experience of romance almost as completely as the real thing does. But most of us would not be satisfied if there were only romance novels in our lives. No matter how well written they are, they can’t replace a real relationship.
Reading about The Work is great. Like a good romance novel, it gives a taste of what’s in store. It gives an introduction, a birds eye view. And without that introduction, you might not find a reason to begin The Work at all.
Reading or listening is also excellent to keep you thinking and refining your skills of doing inquiry as well. That’s why I keep sending out my newsletter and podcast. It is a support for doing The Work.
But it’s not a substitute.
The missing element is you. Your personal situations. Your process of self-discovery. Your way of sifting through the evidence. When you do your own work, you have the greatest chance of being touched by it.
The most comprehensive results come from doing the process yourself. Reading or listening to someone else’s work can be helpful, but it’s still one generation removed. It not as personal as when you summon up the courage to put your own beliefs on the table for exploring.
Let’s face it, reading is safe. There’s no risk in reading romance novels and there’s no risk in reading or watching the work that others do. It’s more passive. As a result, it’s easy to miss the full experience when you only watch another person’s work.
If you really want to gain the most from The Work, I invite you to step out of the safety of reading and watching and start adding a little of the first-hand practice of The Work to your life.
First of all there’s the newsletter, podcast, and YouTube channel. The newsletter gives you an introduction to The Work in little bits and pieces. And it gives you some how-to articles to refine your own process of self-inquiry as well. I share my insights there. And the podcast and YouTube channel give you lots of examples of The Work.
Then there’s Inquiry Circle. This is the most powerful program I offer for making The Work an ongoing practice in your life. You can harness the power of my online community for learning The Work there and maintaining an ongoing practice of it.
Virtual Retreats are a great way to do The Work intensively over a weekend with me and with others who wish to go deeply into any area and find peace.
I also offer private sessions for one-on-one full support.
Find a way that works for you to start doing The Work regularly. Imagine what your life would feel like if you consistently reduced your stress through inquiry. There is no limit to how big your heart could expand.
We are not meant to live stressed lives. Learn how to address the root cause of your stress and find your freedom again. Otherwise, stress will keep accumulating. Learn how to break the cycle of stress here.
