A Byron Katie Worksheet
Month Completed: April
The Statement: We have power.
The Questions:
Is it true? I’m getting a yes. I know that we often feel unable to change our bad habits, our bad feelings, our unhappy life situations. But when I close my eyes and question the belief, all I can think is, “Yes. I can feel it. My inner body, the energy inside myself that I feel when I’m meditating, is part of the rest of the world’s energy. I may be in this body right now, but the essence of me is power.”
Can I absolutely know it is true? No.
How do I feel when I think the thought? When I feel that I have power, I also feel that what I do, say and think is important. I remember that my thoughts create my reality, and even affect others around me and beyond.
How would I feel if I were unable to think the thought? If I thought I was powerless, I’d probably feel that life is meaningless, that nothing I did mattered.
The Turnaround: We don’t have power. This statement is also true. We don’t have power over God or other people. Also, though we do create our realities, the vast majority of that creation happens subconsciously. With years of spiritual practice, we can change our beliefs and brains somewhat, but most of us will never get around to doing the Work on them all. Which is why Katie tells us to focus on the thoughts that cause stress. The others just aren’t the priority.
So again, is it true? Yes and but. People have power, and yet, we can’t always access it. That is the truth, and it reminds me to have compassion for those among us that feel stuck in a pattern they don’t like.
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I enjoyed this post about the BK more than most of the others, simply because it was discussing a question or topic that I really get into: our personal power. I, mostly, agree with your conclusions as well as the questions, but, of course, I keep going back to my gurus Neale Donald Walsh and Pam Grout and Anita Moorjhani. They are probably just more positive about everything. I find Byron Katy less positive about life and all than these others. To each their own, though. You reach yourself your way and I mine. Good post.
Scott
Thanks! The philosophies are remarkably similar. Remarkably. I am probably not doing Katie justice in these posts.