A conversation about "The Work"

This is a response to a conversation on the blog Waves Arising Suddenly about "The Work" and Byron Katie that I found after a disturbing post I found about what happens at the School for The Work.

I am grateful for Byron Katie's work for I have grown so much; This just teaches me that sometimes the initial inspiration is what we should focus on... I would love to hear your thoughts!

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I am so glad to find a compelling conversation about thoughts and ideas of the work and the school for the work.

I personally had used the work for about a year, until I realized, I was continually doing the work on suffering thoughts over and over... I continue to share it with my clients and introduce it as a trick. (Tricks are not negative, they are just quick ways to help the mind end suffering, though do not prove lasting results without positive action.)

For the same reason I left AA years ago, the work is similar in that people are encouraged to stick with it forever, or they receive a sense of shunning. AA's motto is "jails, institutions and death" Katie's followers seems to say to those who argue that you are "fighting reality" or "fighting what is."

I am not saying these programs don't help millions of people, they do. I am saying that once they help you, please think about moving forward on your own journey without fear.

The experience I have had with those who have gone to the school is a sense of secrecy... and I never knew why. If it is joyous, share it with the world, right? They seem to have a "I know what you do not" energy about them. My thoughts have been, "It's only 4 questions. It's not hard to understand, what am I missing?"

Rick Ross' sharing of the school made me feel sad. Maybe that is what I was missing... what had happened to these people while at the school. Cult, fraternity or abusive family; or whatever you call it... anything that asks you to keep secrets for any reason, is going to create separatism with others and suffering in your spirit.

If the tool you are using to end the suffering does not truly end it permanently and encourages you to add their own philosophy onto your personal authentic journey for the long term, you will stray from walking your own unique path.

I encourage my clients, friends and family all to do what is right in their own heart, to trust and listen to their own guidance. Byron Katie is doing that for herself.

We also need to do the same.

smiles and blessings,
Rain

Raw Food Surprise - part 3

This is part 3 of my journey into raw food.

My Introduction to Green Smoothies

One full week into the new healthy eating plan and I had began to lose a little weight. I did not eat the low calorie plan from the book, I just added the Monounsaturated Fats into every meal and was drinking the accurately named Sassy Water. I was still free from the tension in my stomach ever since I had finished writing the peace treaty on my resistance to food.

That weekend I was at an all-day Byron Katie seminar and found myself sitting next to two very sweet, lovely women. They both seemed to be about the same age in their 60's, yet one of the women was extremely vibrant. Her skin glowed, her eyes sparkled and she had an energy about her that drew me in like a magnet. As we both got to know her, I found out that she was a personal raw food chef living in Ashland, Oregon. She told me about these green smoothies she was making for her clients. She was excited about the amazing healing properties of these smoothies. We talked for quite awhile and she invited me to go to week long retreat to do The Work and drink green smoothies.

I loved being in a room full of people with Byron Katie, yet the most dynamic part I took away from the seminar was the discussion about green smoothies! I wanted to go to this retreat!

I thought I would invite my amazing friend, Moira, who has been a raw eater off and on, to go with me. After talking with her about it, we decided to get together that Friday to discuss it more. While at her house, I was telling her about my excitement of these green smoothies. She asked me, "Would you like me to make you one?" I was thrilled!

She showed me her Vita-mix and proceeded to put in 6 to 8 leaves of kale, a banana, 1-2 cups of blueberries, a cup of water, a squirt of flax oil and a scoop of spirulina and lethicin. It tasted like something a horse would be happy to eat. So for my smoothie, she added agave syrup to sweeten it. The agave brought the fruit taste out and it was delicious!

While I drank this magically bright green drink, I was attracted to a book on her shelf and asked to borrow it. She most graciously said yes. The most amazing thing is what happened next!


coming soon... Pursuit of a Green Smoothie

A Full Week with Family, Peace and the Work

This week my family came back from a long trip away. We missed each other so much and I took a break from writing the book for most days.

I am at about 141 pages and 31,000 words.

I am amazed at what writing a book does to your brain. I feel it is so fast paced and fun when I am in the zone. The words are pouring out and it all makes sense. Then after I put away the book and I am no longer in any zone, I feel so uncreative. Zoned OUT! I can barely think now to write... lol!

I love all there is to learn about living life!


I went to see Byron Katie in Seattle on Friday and Saturday. If you haven't read her book, Loving What Is, I highly recommend it. It was absolutely lovely to see her in person. The Work became powerful for me once again and I love the way she flows through it with her audience with laughter and compassion. I also found how the peace treaty is a beautiful compliment to The Work. How looking in a bit deeper to question what we are resisting in our lives can end our suffering.

We all need many tools for our toolbox.

The peace treaty workshop is going so well. I love the women in the class! They are connecting and working to create a more peaceful life. I discovered the class will be 4 instead of 3. There is just too much information to process... and I want to celebrate their courage at the end of class!

I hope to have this workshop as an all day live class. It really is a powerful way to understand the essence and power of the peace treaty process.

So with the joys of family, writing a book, and preparing the workshop classes, I realize that is as much as I want to do in a week. So with that in mind, I wish you a beautiful week!