Can 4 Questions Change Your Life?
This is one of my favorite mind-body techniques. When I feel stuck in fear, anger, or grief with no way to move forward, this technique transforms those feelings into peace. Does that sound too good to be true? That’s why I love this technique – it’s that powerful for me. Autoimmune disease and suffering often go hand-in-hand, physically, mentally and emotionally. The Work of Byron Katie is a process for questioning stressful thoughts and the feelings they feed. In this podcast, I offer myself up as a guinea pig with Katie as my guide. At the time of this recording, I wasn’t in remission and feeling frustrated because I was “doing everything right”. Can you relate? Listen to our conversation, and learn how to apply this technique in your own life. Byron Katie has taught this technique to millions of people around the world, and is the author of six books, including the bestselling Loving What is – 4 Questions That Can Change Your Life.
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Show Notes
- Intro (0:00)
- Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsor: Paleo on the Go (1:54)
- A frozen meal delivery service, they have a large menu of items for the paleo autoimmune protocol (AIP).
- Use the code PHOENIX for 10% off your first order.
- What is “The Work”? (3:09)
- The Work is a process of self-inquiry that helps us question stressful thoughts and find the truth underneath.
- There are 4 questions: Is it true? Can you absolutely know that’s true? How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought? Who would you be without that thought?
- Turnarounds – Finding examples where the opposite is true.
- It cuts through fear and helps us live truly in the present moment, without living in the past or projecting into the future.
- This isn’t a process we do in our minds. Writing it down and tuning into our bodies is essential.
- Resources:
- An Overview of The Work
- Tools for Doing The Work (worksheets and instructions)
- The Work App on iTunes
- Video Demonstrations
- Helpline with Certified Facilitators
- Demonstrating “The Work” (11:11)
- Eileen offers herself as an example, and Katie takes her through the process of self-inquiry, questioning this stressful belief: I’m disappointed with myself because I’m not in remission.
- While I usually write detailed show notes, this is a process best heard. A summary won’t do it justice.
- When’s the Best Time to Do “The Work”? (22:31)
- Every day. It’s great to do 20 minutes first thing in the morning, to set the tone for your day.
- However, if you’re having a day where you are in a lot of physical pain, be gentle and caring of yourself. That is not the time to do The Work. Instead, wait until you have some breathing room, and then write down the thoughts that consumed you while you were in pain. Work on those – one each day.
- While Katie often tells people to ease into the work by starting with a judgment about someone else, she believes we can start right away with our beliefs about autoimmune disease. Because we are NOT our autoimmune disease.
- Keep an open mind. The ego clings to its beliefs.
- Universal Beliefs (24:34)
- These are stressful thoughts that people all around the world believe, which simply aren’t true. Here’s the full list. Some will be beliefs you hold. These are great statements to process through The Work.
- Stressful thoughts are exhausting. They affect our ability to live a full life. They impact our relationships. They often make us feel like victims. That’s why it can be so transformative to learn how to avoid being ruled by these thoughts.
- Three Kinds of Business (42:13)
- My Business
- Your Business
- God’s Business
- Outro (47:39)
- You can keep up with Byron Katie through TheWork.com. It’s full of free resources to help you implement this technique in your own life. There’s also a calendar of events – from one-day workshops to month-long intensives. She’s also the author of six books, including the bestselling Loving What is – 4 Questions That Can Change Your Life.
- Eileen (your podcast host) is the author of multiple books, written to help people thrive with autoimmune disease. Learn more on the Books Page.
- If you like this podcast, follow or subscribe through your favorite podcast app. You can also subscribe to Eileen’s biweekly newsletter.
- Check out the entire archive of podcast episodes.
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