Sometimes, doing The Work is super embarrassing.
Have you noticed?
The invitation is to be petty, childish, honest, ridiculous, critical, judgey….all the ways you’re trying NOT to be. For years!
And now, to do The Work, we’re supposed to write down what really, really bugged us about that person or that situation?
Yikes, that’s a hard pill to swallow. Is it really medicine? Won’t it hurt? I can’t REALLY let all those dreadful thoughts out on paper and write them down, can I?
I’d need to burn the paper when I’m done writing!
It seems like that would be going down the WRONG path….right?
Often, there’s such a deep feeling of NOT wanting to judge in any way (it’s bad bad bad) we get furious with ourselves for being this way.
I should change. Something’s wrong with ME. Obviously!
The thing is….the left turn into I-Must-Change zone is just as tricky and difficult as the negative judgments about other people in the first place.
You THINK you’re taking the burden off those other people or those situations you didn’t enjoy (or that terrified you)….
….and placing the burden on yourself (you are the only person who can change, after all)….
….but you MISS the fact that you’re still judging, condemning, upset, troubled and absolutely 100% against What Is.
No way are you loving what is. Not even accepting what is.
So who would you really be, without the troubled story that what went down was wrong, and shouldn’t have happened?
Who would you be without the belief it was your fault, or theirs, or anyone’s?
There’s nothing like The Work for bringing you into a way to stop trying to aim your arrow and shoot at the thing that screwed up (including you).
Who would you be without the belief something went wrong?
Holy smokes. I know. It’s amazing.
“Depression can feel serious. So ‘counting the genuine ways that this unexpected event happened for me, rather than to me’ isn’t a game. It’s an exercise in observing the nature of life. It’s a way of putting yourself back into reality, into the kindness of the nature of things.” ~ Byron Katie
If you need to spend some time (I sure did) with this practice, step by step, in the company of others and receive the deepest support in your work, come to world famous Breitenbush Hotsprings in Oregon for the annual summer mental cleanse retreat. June 21-25 Weds evening through Sunday lunch in beautiful quiet near a stunning river, gorgeous cabins in a pristine old-growth forest, with all your meals. Optional hotspring soaks on your free time.
A place of retreat, joy, nature, the freshest air, and questioning your troubles. On the last day, the very special labyrinth walk in The Work. For more information visit here. Mental health counselors earn 26 CEUS. ITW candidates earn 24 CEs.
Much love,
Grace