The Work

The Four Questions

[Work] was created by Byron Katie as a helpful tool to examine your own believes of the world and find alternative truths and interpretations. The work can help you discover truths that may be difficult to digest or accept but will help you open up and be less fearfull. You can print the [[1]] as a starter or read through the contents below.

The work starts examining your believes by asking yourselve four questions:

1. Is it true?

• The answer is a “yes” or a “no” only.
• If your answer is “no,” continue to question #3

2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?

Often, you will be tempted to hold on to your own believes and answer question 1 with a quick "yes". Take more time. Can you be 100% sure that you are right? Are you sure that there are no other viewpoints possible?

Question #3: How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought??

• What emotions happen when you believe that thought? (Depression, anxiety, etc. If needed, see the Emotions and reactions List.
• Does that thought bring peace or stress into your life?
• What images do you see, past and future, when you believe that thought?
• What addictions/obsessions begin to manifest when you believe that thought? (Alcohol, credit cards, food, the TV remote?)
• Describe the physical sensations that happen when you believe that thought.
• How do you treat that person and others when you believe that thought?
• How do you treat yourself when you believe that thought?

Turn the thought around

a) to the self. ( I don't listen to me.) b) to the other. ( I don't listen to Paul.) c) to the opposite. ( Paul does listen to me.) And find three genuine, specific examples of how each turnaround is true for you in this situation.

Try it yourself by including this space: Start judging: <<newTiddlerWithForm NewJudgingTemplate "New judgement" '"Work "+(new Date()).formatString("YYYY-MM-DD")' askUser>> And turn it around: <<newTiddlerWithForm NewWorkTemplate "New work" '"Work "+(new Date()).formatString("YYYY-MM-DD")' askUser>>