Several years ago, I had the delightful privilege to meet Todd Smith, a Certified Facilitator of The Work. His story is moving and profound for how The Work transformed his thoughts about partnership, the death of his mother in a plane crash, and his relationship with career and money.
To watch my interview with Todd, click here.
I was so excited about the interview, by the way, I spoke 100 miles an hour without any introduction at the beginning, plus I have no idea what the caption is doing at the bottom of my screen that’s half cut off. But I bet you’ll love hearing about The Work and Todd’s experience of it.
Super inspiring.
I’m so happy he’ll be joining me at Breitenbush this year, for the 8th annual immersion in The Work for four days June 13-17. Call Breitenbush at 503-854-3320 for all the information and to register. (You can also read about it on my website here).
And speaking of inspiration….I have a little secret to confess.
People like Todd who have transformative internal journeys about the hardest situations in life like conflict, anxiety, scarcity and death….
….are my heros.
Even though I do The Work and have felt change I never thought possible for this anxious mind, I am a huge secret admirer of everyone who is willing to question, even just one of their thoughts, with sincerity.
I had such low trust in myself and my ability to relax, I could barely even “do” The Work after I read Loving What Is. It took me diving in to attending the School for The Work to “get” the true value of it.
The learning I receive continues to this day.
I have the incredible joy of facilitating people and witnessing being with people who see their problems in a new way.
They’re been worried, upset, angry, or sad and don’t know what to do. Sometimes for years and years.
And *ping*!
They catch some amazing insight as they answer the four questions.
I honestly feel when people show up to do The Work and I happen to be facilitating, I’m the luckiest person ever.
Because there are many difficult experiences. There are dreadful experiences. Tough things happen in life to humanity.
It’s really quite miraculous that people can identify these painful experiences, write about them on paper, and take them through inquiry….
….and come out more aware, freer, more peaceful.
“I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn’t believe them, I didn’t suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always.” ~ Byron Katie
The truth is, this work would not be interesting, magnetic or compelling if we were following someone else’s ideas or instructions.
It’s not about having any guru, and that includes Byron Katie (and I’m sure she’d agree).
It’s about answering the questions in the most deep, contemplative, honest way you can. No wrong way. No right way. Only your own genuine answers.
Amazingly, these answers bring light-bulbs, ah-ha’s, and new ideas. It doesn’t have to be big and like a gigantic firework going off.
Only a little shift can make a huge difference. The course is changed. There’s a new path.
Who would you be without your thought about that tough thing that happened?
Just a wee bit accepting. Or just a lot mind-altered.
Both are better than the suffering that was happening without The Work.
P.S. it looks like the half-day mini retreat this Sunday is full. The next one is April 22nd or email to get on the wait list.