Byron Katie's 'The Work' - helpful to Post-Mos???

[Born Free]

In the last week a friend has pointed me at Byron Katie's process and website. This lady's story is one of spending years badly stuck in paralysing depression and anger before awakening to this process.

So far I am blown away by what I have found there. Very solid stuff, largely DIY and intended to stay that way, based in good solid philosophy from everything I have read and experienced to date.

Has anyone else come across her work?

See:

www.thework.com

One of the first exercises I am doing with the process is my relationship with Mormonism.

Daryl

[miss taken]

Thanks Daryl, looks interesting.
Mary

[peter_mary]

From Byron Katie's Website:

In 1986, Byron Katie experienced the profound realization that without any story about how life is supposed to be, we are left with peace far beyond what we hoped to find through wish fulfillment. On the other side of our myths about reality is reality itself, indescribably joyful-and unknowable as long as we keep trying to change it. Only when we give up "what should be" can we experience the perfection of "what is."

In a sense, this belongs in Fredl's thread about "do we need religion." Religion provides a story about how life is "supposed to be," and unfortunately, I believe it leaves us feeling so unsatisfied because we cannot experience the fulfillment of the story (ultimately, the story CANNOT be fulfilled until after death!)

Her discussion of "on the other side of our myths about reality is reality itself," is essentially what we've talked about on this forum before regarding paradigms. When we realize that we are experiencing a subjective, limited segment of reality, we are at least open to the rest of reality. I've always wondered if it is humanly possible to get past the stories and myths about reality. Are we really like infinite onions (or ogres/cakes/parfaits ;) [think Shrek...]), in that we peel off one layer, only to find ourselves in a new, more expansive layer, but a layer nontheless...? Can you ever step completely outside the onion/ogre/cake/parfait :) and see all that is, as it is?

I've imagined that what's what "enlightenment" is, as spoken of by the Buddha--the shedding of the myths to be confronted by reality in it's totality. But I really, truly don't know whether the human mind can in fact strip itself of the stories so completely to comprehend reality in it's entirety. I'm not saying it CAN'T be done, only that I wonder about it.

Still, I have to think that an AWARENESS that we filter reality through the myths, through the stories, through the paradigms is a step in the right direction.

Thanks for pointing this one out, Daryl!

Peter_Mary

[helemon]

I've always wondered if it is humanly possible to get past the stories and myths about reality. Are we really like infinite onions (or ogres/cakes/parfaits ;) [think Shrek...]), in that we peel off one layer, only to find ourselves in a new, more expansive layer, but a layer nontheless...? Can you ever step completely outside the onion/ogre/cake/parfait :) and see all that is, as it is?

There is a quote in the Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy that says basically, that if the true meaning of life, the universe, and everything was ever discovered the universe would disappear and be replaced by an even more inscrutible and confusing creation. I think you are right in your assessment and this can be seen in science. The scietists work with the theoretical reality they think describes their observations until the amass enough incongruent data to realize that they don't have things quite figured out completely and they are faced with an even more mind boggelingly complex reality to try and figure out. But hey wouldn't life be boring if we understood everything?

[peter_mary]

There is a quote in the Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy that says basically, that if the true meaning of life, the universe, and everything was ever discovered the universe would disappear and be replaced by an even more inscrutible and confusing creation. I think you are right in your assessment and this can be seen in science. The scietists work with the theoretical reality they think describes their observations until the amass enough incongruent data to realize that they don't have things quite figured out completely and they are faced with an even more mind boggelingly complex reality to try and figure out. But hey wouldn't life be boring if we understood everything?
It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO tempting to make an "Intelligent Design" comment here, but I don't want to create another fire-storm!

Life, the Universe, and Everything...it's cool. And I'll leave it at that! :cool:

Peter_Mary

[Born Free]

I found this point in the downloadable paper '21 Ways to Stay in Peace' excellent. I suspect many others here will resonate with it.

It offers an explanation as to why missionary work, particularly in its aggressive form, is so repugnant.

"2. The Three Kinds of Business

Notice when you hurt that you are mentally out of your business. If you're not sure, stop and ask, "Mentally, whose business am I in?" There are only three kinds of business in the universe: mine, yours, and God's.

Whose business is it if an earthquake happens? God's business.

Whose business is it if your neighbor down the street has an ugly lawn? Your neighbor's business.

Whose business is it if you are angry at your neighbor down the street because they have an ugly lawn? Your business.

Life is simple—it is internal.

Count, in five minute intervals, how many times you are in someone else's business mentally. Notice when you give uninvited advice or offer your opinion about something (aloud or silently). Ask yourself: "Am I in their business? Did they ask me for my advice?" And more importantly, "Can I take the advice I am offering and apply it to my life?""

Daryl