I wanted to share a technique with you taken from a yoga magazine many years ago called 'The Works'. This is a technique to step between thinking and thought and believing a thought. It helps undo stressful thoughts and allows us to live in the present. All our suffering comes from believing our stressful thoughts but when you question them, you don't suffer. You use 'The Work' technique on a stressful thought, one that you believe to be true and through using this technique, you may recognise that it is in fact not true. So think now of any stressful thought that comes to mind (it maybe something that someone said to upset you, or maybe something that you believe about yourself, etc). Now you need to ask yourself four questions:
1. Is it true?
2. Can I absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do I react when I believe that thought?
4. Who would I be without that thought?
Now, do what is known as 'turnaround', you turn the thought into its opposite and if you can think of more than one opposite that is even better. The point of the exercise is to show that what you have believed, when investigated, turns out to be the cause of your suffering and if you are ready to release this thought or emotion, you will also remove any additional stress or suffering that has been placed on your mind and body. I used this technique many years ago to help me through a difficult time and it was very effective. It can be easier if you write the thoughts and responses down.
Namaste
Katie
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