A new Peace Talk podcast episode 161 is released, where I do The Work with another awesome person willing to show up and question their thoughts.
The story she questioned?
The belief that she lost everything. Wow. Brave.
Listen on apple podcasts HERE.
Or watch us on video here:
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I lost everything (eyesight, health, joie de vivre….)
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I never stop being inspired by everyone’s work. I mean everyone.
But.
A few weeks ago a participant in Year of Inquiry shared that she had been kinda tired of it all and taking a break.
From The Work.
Gasp!
LOL.
I’m laughing with her, not at her.
Because this is NOT an unfamiliar thought that’s entered my mind. And many others’ minds as well.
Yes, seriously.
I’ve heard it a ton, in my own head and from others’ sharing it with me. Just because we’re doing The Work doesn’t mean we don’t complain about it, or say things like “I won’t do it…give me netflix! I haven’t written a worksheet in weeks!”
I get surprised, in fact, that people continue to come over and over to show up, answer the same four questions, and wonder about their minds. 🙂
But they do. And shockingly, so do I.
I hear the voice say things like “Ugh. Whatever. Isn’t there an easier way than these repetitive four questions? I mean, Jeezus. Really?”
Or the voice sounds like two people having a conversation:
Voice-In-The-Mind A: “You know, remember that thing called The Work? Four questions? If you did The Work on that disturbance, you might discover something.”
Voice-In-The-Mind B: “Aw, give it a rest. Can’t I just watch a stand-up comedy routine on my computer in peace?!”
The thing is….there might be waiting to do The Work, or having a hissy fit while getting out the pen and paper….
….There might be trying other options or listening to podcasts….
….but in the end the simplest, shortest, least costly way to understanding when I’m confused or upset and not sure what else to do, is The Work.
Yesterday, the first day of Spring Retreat occurred online.
From brand new beginners to The Work, to very experienced facilitators and people who have been to multiple schools and events with Byron Katie.
All sixteen of us assembled together on zoom, our painful worksheets and situations in mind.
It’s truly astonishing what people are willing to turn towards, sit with, share, and question. How real, vulnerable and honest people can be. Knowing there is no right way or wrong way, just noticing what the mind is doing as it receives questions, and answers them.
It’s totally inspiring.
What I love noticing is that despite complaining, even about doing The Work….despite trying to avoid the conflicts, fears and agonies we imagine….despite over-eating or trying to escape through other mechanisms or fantasies…despite feeling furious or enraged at Those People who betrayed us or who have had power over us….
….people show up, willing to share what they’re believing that hurts, and willing to question their stories.
I am inspired and re-inspired every time.
I actually think “Wow, how fascinating this person is! So smart! So open! So raw! So honest!”
So if you’ve had the belief cross your mind that The Work is too simple, or too boring, or too weird, or too much work, or too repetitive, or too hard….sometimes just getting with one other person or a small group of kind listeners can make a huge difference.
It certainly does for me.
Much love,
Grace
P.S. Another online retreat is coming: June 2-June 7. This one has a different schedule than the one underway and one of my fav co-facilitators is joining me: Tom Compton.
For more information about online retreat with Tom C and Grace B visit here.
Please remind eme what the 4 questions are.
Yes. So as you hold a concept or stressful story in mind, ask these questions: 1) Is it true? 2) Can I absolutely know it’s true? 3) How do I react, what happens, when I believe this thought? 4) Who would I be without this thought? Then at the end, the turnarounds A) to the self B) to the opposite C) to the other. So for example: “he doesn’t care about me” becomes A) I don’t care about myself B) he does care about me C) I don’t care about him. You can find all the tools for the work and simple worksheets at http://www.thework.com. –Warmest, Grace
Hi there sweet Grace,
And isn’t it kind, open, loving even … when it is all OK, just as it is. Work or no Work … questions or no questions … stopping or not stopping … right or wrong.
Maybe it is all the same energy — of life itself.
Just here.
Just now.
No need of anything to add or subtract.
Feeling emotions, like energy simply moving thru this body, feeling it all, and allowing it all presence … just as it is.
No doubt.
No stand for anything really. Except for Now.
Now, a place where our personal pain invites us deeper — to walk thru the portal of our Universal pain.
Accepting it all, all the questions and the non-questions … all of it.
The beauty of life moving thru us as a true gift, a deep celebration of our creation, our creative ability to manifest this life that we love.
This place where right and wrong dissolve into the moment of presence.
Much love, light and gratitude to you sweetheart.
Love love!
Dear Grace,
I wanted to ask you something about your note of May 20th, about the poisoning of friendship, but the link referred me to this note. It’s not important of course, but if you have a free minute maybe you can change the link? (No! it’s a FREE minute hahaha)
Yes, I remember going fast and having just a few Grace Notes that I didnt update the links! I will add the post and link, thank you. –Grace
Hi Carmen, thank you so much for asking for the “poisoned” Grace Note to be posted on my web page, not just for the mailing list. Here’s the link: https://workwithgrace.com/she-poisoned-our-friendship/