My hands are clapping because later today from 2-5 pm Pacific Time, we’re havin’ a tele-retreat.
TELE means….you dial in with your phone or skype, or you click the event link to listen in. Audio only. No webinars or video here.
You have your privacy.
I mean, we’re talking about LOVE here!
Why do I call it a Love-Athon?
Because for me…..and for so many….
….questioning suffering with The Work of Byron Katie has peeled back layers of pain, sometimes ancient pain from previous generations….
….and what remains at the center is….love.
A mysterious sense of well-being.
An open unknown, wild taste of silence. Peace with yourself no matter what anyone else has ever done, or who you’re “paired” with or “broken up” with.
What remains is trust that you can do this, you have the ability to relax in the face of romance, love, partnership, dating, and all the ups and down involved.
So to gather with others from all over the place, not even knowing who we all are, is a powerful way to trust the universe to bring you support in understanding this topic in your life.
You don’t have to identify yourself, you don’t’ have to talk. You can do the exercises and remain silent.
But you might love sharing out loud, and speaking what is really, really true for you-your answers.
Not anyone else’s.
All you need is a phone (or skype) or some way to dial the number and call in OR click the online link for listening mode (you can communicate anonymously with me via Q & A in the chat box provided).
For three hours we’ll look at all the thoughts about relationship we have that leave us less than happy.
Thoughts about love that leave us irritated, depressed, despairing, longing, sad, crushed.
What is right or wrong? What is depressing to you? Do you feel trapped, or free?
How do you feel about attraction, dating, enjoying your long-term relationship, excitement, joy?
Are you heart-broken by divorce, or an affair (yours or theirs)?
Would you like to question your thoughts?
There is no “goal” or “outcome” with this work….it is simply a deep form of inquiry with no authority except YOU.
Here’s what’s happened for me.
I noticed over time, ever since my first boyfriend actually….I’ve had painful thoughts about love.
Maybe you’ve noticed your own.
- He hurt me
- She shouldn’t love him more than me
- I can’t show how interested I am, or he’ll overwhelm me
- I can’t truly be free AND in relationship at the same time–too much obligation
- The horrible things about being partnered are……
- Changing or ending a relationship hurts
- I need his/her attention, love, approval
- She should be happy
- He should stop drinking
- She should get a job
- I need a girlfriend
- I’m lonely
The criticisms of partners, potential partners, and whole groups of people are endless.
So are the criticisms of ourselves.
But every time I ask “is it true?” I find a sense of curiosity.
Sometimes, a smile begins to come over my face almost immediately, now that I’ve practiced answering this question for awhile.
But there is never a requirement to answer “no” or “yes”.
The only requirement is a desire to look at your suffering.
Notice how I didn’t even say there is a requirement to STOP suffering.
You may genuinely want to stop….but we can leave this up to the universe and your own answers appearing at just the right time for insight, awareness and compassion.
You can stop suffering, though.
Without anyone else changing one drop.
You can notice where you feel like a victim, or like someone else is responsible for your life being wrecked or difficult.
You can feel the love back inside of you–and not let it leave as if its attached to another person.
At least, that’s what happened for me using The Work to question my really difficult and insane love stories.
I used to think some people shouldn’t love who they love. I used to think some people shouldn’t leave me. I used to think it was possible for someone to leave me, or commit to me and make promises. I used to think you were only supposed to have sex with one person. I used to think love meant you make vows and settle down and find security.
Now, with inquiry, I realize that none of that is true….because none of that is permanent or set in stone, or even possible to expect.
I used to really suffer when it came to love relationships….
….tormented by arguing with reality.
If you’ve got some stress in your life with relationship…..JOIN ME!
We’re going to have a fabulous time.
And you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home.
Sit back, relax, and inquire tomorrow.
Click HERE to sign up.
“Love does not say ‘I own you’ or ‘You are mine to manipulate and control’. Love is not conditional, it doesn’t withhold itself for personal gain. It does not possess, but sets free. Or, rather, love sees the inherent freedom in the other, the built-in freedom. It recognizes itself looking out of those mysterious eyes over there, and knows that, in truth, there is no other ‘over there’ at all. Not two seeing each other, but One with eyes only for itself. We are only meeting ourselves, in myriad forms…” ~ Jeff Foster
Much love, Grace