| Title | : | Question Your Thinking, Change The World: Quotations from Byron Katie |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1401917305 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781401917302 |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 236 |
| Publication | : | First published October 1, 2007 |
Not only will this book help you on many specific issues, but it will point you toward your own wisdom and will encourage you to question your own mind, using the four simple yet incredibly powerful questions of Katie’s process of self-inquiry, called The Work. Katie is a living example of the clear, all-embracing love that is our true identity. Because she has thoroughly questioned her own mind, her words shine with the joy of understanding.
“People used to ask me if I was enlightened,” she says, “and I would say, ‘I don’t know anything about that. I’m just someone who knows the difference between what hurts and what doesn’t.’ I’m someone who wants only what is. To meet as a friend each concept that arose turned out to be my freedom.”
Question Your Thinking, Change The World: Quotations from Byron Katie Reviews
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A friend lent me this book in Danish, so I read it in that language. It is a collection of selected texts from the work of Byron Katie.
I’ve previously read this author’s book “Loving what is” and much appreciated it.
It is Katie’s view that the world would be transformed for the better, were we all to use the Work – her method of posing ourselves the following four questions whenever we have a problematic thought:
1) Is it true?
2) Can you really know that it is true?
3) How do you react when you believe that thought?
4) Who would you be without that thought?
When you’ve asked yourself these questions, try finding opposites to the sentence you wrote/your problematic thought. For example, if your problem is “My husband doesn’t listen to me”, try saying “My husband listens to me”, “I don’t listen to myself” and “I don’t listen to my husband”.
Katie’s basic premise is that the universe does not make mistakes. This means that whatever happens is what was supposed to happen, what needs to happen. Thus everything that happens to you or anybody else is good, even though your baby dies, your legs get chopped off or everyone in your village is massacred (note , she doesn’t use these latter two examples in the book). However, for some Katie’s statements are provocative.
When a suitcase falls on top of Katie’s head when she’s sitting in a plane, she says it “felt like a kiss”. She continues “How could I know that I needed a bang on the head? Because that was what I got!”
Katie tells us that everyone in one’s life, everyone one encounters (everybody in the world, actually) is God in disguise, and will show you all you need to see. When you see your partner as God, your work with The Work will be simple.
The worst loss you have ever experienced is the greatest gift you can get.
All our thoughts are projections. We are the only one here. There are no others here. This world doesn’t even exist.
The book consists of small extracts from other books, and thus can seem a bit disjointed, but the extracts all have the same theme of questioning one’s thoughts. There were quite a few parts of the book that didn’t seem to me to make sense. This may have had to do with the Danish translation, but then again Katie herself writes somewhere in the book that many have told her that some of what she says is nonsense, and she seems to admit that sometimes she talks “nonsense” or what could be construed as such.
In the books Katie discusses some of her own problems with her offspring. Now however both her children are doing the Work.
I felt good while reading the book because I kept being reminded of how to let go of difficult situations by accepting the reality of things. Katie’s work has the same precept as that of David R. Hawkins, among others – to let go of resistance and love everything, accept everything. When you do this, it is possible for healing to occur.
I recommend that you read the book – it will help you to manage your life with acceptance and joy. -
This book pissed me off as I read through it but I found myself thinking differently afterward. The perspective shift Byron Katie offers is liberating and life-changing.
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I actually didn't finish reading this one...I found it to be negative and filled with bad logic. Not a fan.
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Always good ... Katie makes you think smart ... -
some thoughts really resonated with me, others were less impactful
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The answer I was seeking
This book gave me the answer I was looking for. I know the importance of what prophet Mohammed peace be upon him said: "Be satisfied with what God has given you and you become the richest of people"
Every since I learned this saying and I have been looking and searching for "HOW to be satisfied" because I wanted to be the richest of people. This book not only showed me how. It also cured my fear of old age, my fear of illness and my fear of suffering. I am Home.
I have read all Byron Katie's books. Only one left which I will buy now. Tiger Tiger is it true? The work for kids.
Thank you Byron Katie you have given me what money cannot buy. -
I have never seen life so simple, just as it is. I love this perspective, it gives me so much peace. So many quotes that are so meaningful, but the one I choose is: “I am a lover of what is, not because Im a spiritual person, but because it hurts when I argue with reality.” I really recommend it, as it is food of the soul. Through inquiry, we can get anywhere we want. ✨
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Byron Katie is a marvel and one of the great healers of our time. Her questions are pure medicine and reading this book will unhinge your mind from even the stickiest binds - especially with regards to interpersonal relationships - which are one of her specialties. This is one I will be reading and referencing again and again.
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I love the 'way out there' thinking of this book, that brings me new perspectives. Empowering and calming.
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I honestly can’t tell if this woman is ahead of her time or just completely insane. Only time will tell...
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Notable quotables
All of BK's very best conceptual gems. Gets right to the point of reminding me what I know. Concise diamonds of peace. -
I actually really liked this book, and in many ways it reminded me of as well as pointed out things I (almost) forgot. It's a compilation of quotes on subjects she has dealt with in more detail in other books, but my first read of hers.
Byron Katie's overall message is that it is not reality that is our problem or what brings us suffering it is our rejection of reality, of what is, that does and our thoughts, beliefs and stories about reality, ourselves, others, and what it all should be like. That is a powerfull message.
Byron Katie is known for 4 questions intended on exploring our thoughts and dissolving the pain connected to them, 4 questions also referred to as 'The Work'.
They are as follows:
1) Is that true?
2) Can you really know that it is true?
3) Hw do you react when you believe in that thought?
4) Who would you be without that thought?
One of the weaknesses of this book, in my opinion, is the way Katie refers to these questions as if they are Salvation, and sometimes the only way to it.
I dont like preaching, and I dont believe in one way to peace of mind and heart (and one way only). I dont doubt these questions works for Katie and many other people, but I also believe that for some people these questions wont work that same magic, and yet they can still get to a point of freedom, love and lightness, though their road might be different and it takes something else to open their eyes.
These 4 questions are Katies referencepoint and how she handles problems, and how she believes we can all move beoynd them.
To me though, it wasn't these questions that stood out as powerfull, but the whole thought concept and approach to life that Katie has, the way she looks at life, love and problems, and the examples she gives us on how it is also possible to live life.
The message of loving and accepting reality, regardless of what it looks like, knowing it is right, because it is, what is , is strong and powerful, and one i believe too, to be an essential step in ridding us of painful thoughts and emotions. Katie asks several times "how can I know that x/y/Z is right for me? Because that is, how it is."
Now that is something I will take with me and genourously apply to everything I encounter :) -
I like Byron Katie in general. This book is more of a recap of her other teachings and therefore not quite as valuable. Nevertheless, it is concise, gives you sort of a "Thought for the Day" type of format. Byron Katie kinds of tells it likes she sees it, so if you need a quick kick, she is the one to go to. Empowering and pragmatic.
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Semua bermula dari pikiran anda, kadang pikiran lebih kuat mengendalikan setap keputusan kita..dan ternyata banyak yg tidak kita sadari, kita terjangkiti pola pikir negatif..so question your thinking..Jika membuat kamu lebih nyaman..do it..tetapi jika terasa????question Your Thinking..
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It really is amazing how powerful our thoughts about things are...
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Great book to flip to when you are having an issue with stressful thoughts. Good reminders to help you get back to reality!
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Love Love Love it!
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A book that you can come back to over and over again. Even when you just need a quick smile for the soul you can open to any page and get just that!!
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Love this book. Great to just open randomly. Inspiring and freeing :)
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Great book to do the open to a random page and be amazed!!
