Posts Tagged ‘The work’

Okay some of you are still blocking yourself from your vision of your greatness.  On some deep level you know there is something as yet unexpressed within you.  Yet you can’t overcome years of relentless, perhaps even cruel, indoctrination.  If this is you, try this exercise adapted from The Work, an inquiry process developed by Byron Katie.

Complete these sentences.

I can’t truly imagine my great vision because …

I could imagine my great vision if only…

Name a person place or thing that needs to change for you to be free to imagine your great vision.

Powerful Questions

Now ask yourself these powerful questions.

1. Is it true?  Answer only yes or no.
2. How do you know it is true?
3. What would happen if you didn’t believe your thoughts about those things that are stopping you?
4. Take a moment to see your “story” about your situation.  Realize that your story is only one version of reality. What would happen if you did not believe your version of your story?
5. Now turn your story around replace the person or thing that is stopping you with its opposite.  Can this statement be as true, or truer, than your original statement?

Example

I can’t truly imagine my great vision because

My vision would take time away from my baby. I will be a bad mother.

I could imagine my greatness if only

My husband would help out more with the baby.

What needs to change?

When little Johnny goes to school then I will be free to imagine my greatness.

Powerful Questions

1. How do you know this is true?
2. Examine your ideas.  Do you know your vision will take time from your child?  How do you know? Do you, can you, know absolutely that recognizing what you deeply desire will make you a bad mother?
3. What would happen if you didn’t believe that recognizing your deepest desires would make you a bad mother?
4. What is your story about motherhood? Can you think of some other mothers, other versions of your mothering story,  that might be just as true?
5. Now turn the statement around.  “My great vision would make me a good mother.”  Can this statement be as true or truer than your first statement?

Now You Try It.

Try this exercise and let me know how it goes.