The Work of Byron Katie: An Introduction

by Byron Katie, Stephen Mitchell

This booklet presents the essence of The Work of Byron Katie. Each year, thousands of these booklets are sent by request, at no charge, to non-profit organizations around the world, helping people discover the life-changing power of inquiry.

If you would like to explore this process further, we suggest you read the book Loving What Is. It will take you deeper into The Work and includes many examples of Katie facilitating people on issues such as fear, health, relationships, money, the body, and more. Loving What Is is also available as an audiobook, which offers you the invaluable experience of hearing Katie do The Work in live workshop recordings. The book and audiobook are available in bookstores, on thework.com, and by calling 805.444.5799.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Personal Growth

36 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2018

About the author

Byron Kathleen Mitchell, better known as Byron Katie, is an American speaker, writer, and founder of a method of self-inquiry called The Work of Byron Katie or simply The Work.

Katie became severely depressed in her early thirties. She was a businesswoman and mother who lived in Barstow, a small town in the high desert of southern California. For nearly a decade she spiraled down into paranoia, rage, self-loathing, and constant thoughts of suicide; for the last two years she was often unable to leave her bedroom. Then, one morning in February 1986, while in a halfway house for women with eating disorders, she experienced a life-changing realization. In that moment, she says,

I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn’t believe them, I didn’t suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment.

Soon afterward people started seeking her out and asking how they could find the freedom that they saw in her. As reports spread about the transformations they felt they were experiencing through The Work, she was invited to present it publicly elsewhere in California, then throughout the United States, and eventually in Europe and across the world.

The Work has been compared to the Socratic method and to Zen meditation, but Katie is not aligned with any religion or tradition. She describes self-inquiry as an embodiment, in words, of the wordless questioning that had woken up in her on that February morning. She has shared The Work with millions of people at public events, in prisons, hospitals, churches, V. A. treatment centers, corporations, universities, and schools. Participants at her weekend workshops, the nine-day School for The Work, and the twenty-eight-day residential Turnaround House report profound experiences and lasting transformations. “Katie’s events are riveting to watch,” the Times of London reported. Eckhart Tolle calls The Work “a great blessing for our planet.” And Time magazine named Katie a “spiritual innovator for the new millennium.”

Katie is married to the writer and translator Stephen Mitchell, who co-wrote Loving What Is, A Thousand Names for Joy, and A Mind at Home with Itself. I Need Your Love—Is That True? was written with Michael Katz, her literary agent at the time. Her other books are Question Your Thinking, Change The World; Who Would You Be Without Your Story?; Peace in the Present Moment, with Eckhart Tolle, A Friendly Universe, and, for children, Tiger-Tiger, Is It True? and The Four Questions. On her website thework.com, you will find detailed instructions about The Work; video and audio clips; Katie's calendar of events; event registration; free downloads, including the Judge-Your-Neighbor Worksheet; interviews; apps for your iPhone, iPad, or Android; a free newsletter; a free helpline; and the online store. You might also want to visit Katie's Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages, and her live-streaming webcast page, livewithbyronkatie.com.

Reviews

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Cuando haces El Trabajo, comprendes quién eres a través de ver quién crees que es el otro. Con el tiempo, llegas a ver que todo lo que está fuera de ti es un reflejo de tu propio pensamiento. Tú eres el narrador de la historia, el proyector de todas las historias y el mundo es la imagen proyectada de tus pensamientos."

Es un buen enfoque, observar y cuestionar nuestros pensamientos y reconocer que el miedo solo viene de nuestra mente.

[Eva Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is outstanding and changed the way I view my interactions with other people, myself and the world. 11/10

[Hitesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inquiring your thoughts...Good Work.

[Annie Kookie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I’ve heard Byron Katie speak a few times on podcasts and have never been very intrigued by her, but she comes recommended by many so I thought perhaps her book would entice me. Better yet, her audio book as it would be easier to wade through.

I did not get past the forward. While the woman might employ useful tools to help dive into your thought processes, she seems quite delusional. I did a quick Google search and was more put off by her cult-like following who lambast opposition of her; more so yet again when I watched some video of how she talks down to people and the techniques she uses.

She has no traditional training, she circumvents that system by saying she’s not therapy despite providing what could only be described as [misaligned] therapy.

This is not a review of her book. DNF. And I don’t see myself doing so at any point.

[Joy Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Byron Katie's Transformation

Admist the self hatred and pity
loathing pushed me to floor
beside my bed
where I didn't
deserve to sleep
I was awakened
by footsteps
across flesh

a cockroach
made its way
across my arm
the cockroach
had no regard
felt no pity
no loathing
no self hatred
It didn't think
it just lived

To be the cockroach -
I could set my thinking
aside and live,
to analyze anything
I ask, is it true
then I do the work
for every thought
until they no longer
filter the joy
of the cockroach
J. L. Wright (c) 2017

[James Gannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very deep

I have has had The Work recommended to me by a life coach that I follow. I need to really practice this to see the power. But I do see potential for resolving inner conflict and unease.

[Marco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very concise and intriguing

This is wonderful workbook. Be honest while you do the exercise.

There's mention of God (thrice probably) which can be replaced by any higher power beyond your control. Since I mention God, don't let this stop you from reading.

[Carolyn Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by my therapist. Simple and actionable concept. Resonated with being in other people's business instead of my own. Found the worksheet and concept of turnarounds helpful. Will probably read Loving What Is at some point.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear explanation

This book does a very good job of explaining Byron Katie's The Work. It will help me go deeper in using the Worksheet App.

[Jennifer Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Byron Katie- The Work

A thought provoking read. I don’t agree with all she says. But I will explore it further from her website.

[Rajvi Mittal · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is so sharp! This is amazing work. I would say life altering. I would recommend you read this as soon as possible and apply it in your life sooner! ❤

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok. I gleaned a couple insights. Probably better for younger readers, like in their 30's. By my age, we've figured a lot of this out. I did like the mental exercises.

[ReadwheneverICAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is hands-down life changing

[Claire Abs]

to-read