The Work of Byron Katie is a method of inquiry that examines stressful thoughts, events, or situations. Through a series of four questions, a person can explore the amount of suffering a thought or concept brings into their life. The Work helps us understand the truthfulness of these thoughts without belittling the severity of any event, including traumas such as rape or death. It serves as a valuable tool for understanding the source of suffering—our thoughts about the event or situation.
My personal experience with The Work began in 2000. I was attending a silent meditation retreat and camping when my tent neighbor gave me an audio cassette recording of Byron Katie. Katie’s words cut into me like a knife. To me, it was the practical missing piece in my yoga and meditation practice. The Work is simple to understand, intense to do, and, like yoga, as practical and deep as you want it to be.
I attended several retreats and workshops with Katie, each one taking me to a different place in my life and providing profound insights. For many years, I participated in an event called The New Year’s Cleanse. This five-day event involved people sharing traumatic private stories and, through inquiry, coming away with a greater understanding of themselves.
In 2016, during a Katie event, I experienced a breakdown, terrorized by fears concerning my daughters—that something would happen to them, that I would fail them in various ways as a father. While sobbing, a sweet friend asked if I had been to the School for The Work. Through tears, I said I’d never spend that much money on myself. My friend kindly suggested spending the money on my daughters. When I got home, I registered for the nine-day event and returned inspired to share The Work with others.
Since then, I have completed the facilitator training curriculum and now offer private sessions, group sessions, and retreats. The Work of Byron Katie has profoundly impacted my life, providing clarity and peace where there was once confusion and stress. It has become a regular part of my mental hygiene, allowing me to challenge and dissolve stressful thoughts before they take hold. The Work of Byron Katie has been a transformative tool in my life. It offers a way to understand and alleviate suffering through self-inquiry. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking deeper self-awareness and peace.