Loving the "Work"

To begin, we shared a meditative reading from the book “Gifts from A Course in Miracles.” This is a charming little book that contains lovely excerpts from the Course that can be read at any time and in no specific order (much like the Course itself) and encapsulates key Course ideas and principles in bite sized, poetically written verse.

Next we had a group discussion surrounding the ordination ceremony of one of our brothers as a Pathways of Light Ministerial Counsellor. Together we discussed ways to share the occasion and confirm our combined goal of spiritual awakening and commitment to Spirit. The discussion culminated once again in an opportunity to share love and support as a spiritual community and to uphold our true identity as Love and nothing else (more on this to come).

The meat of the session focused on a recent trip to a Byron Katie workshop. Byron Katie is the author of a well-known book titled “Loving What Is.” In her book and practice she utilises a series of four questions fondly coined, “The Work.” When one engages in “The Work” and honestly asks himself the four questions presented in the formula, it becomes very hard to hold onto one’s “story” of pain and suffering.

To help with the process, Byron Katie uses a form called the “Judge Your Neighbour Worksheet.” This worksheet walks us through the questions as they relate to your personal concern or issue. The questions are as follows:

1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know it’s true?
3. How do you react or feel when you believe that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought?

And finally, “the turnaround.” In other words, accept responsibility for being the projector of the thought and not necessarily the victim or helpless recipient of something being done ‘to you.’ In essence here we learn how to see our thoughts differently.

During the group we received copies of the “Judge Your Neighbour Worksheet” and support materials which helped us all to gain greater clarity into the process and also provided a chance for us to apply “The Work” to our own issues later in our own time and space. It will be interesting next week to get some feedback.

Later, we finished our evening with a sharing of our Miracles Cards. It’s always so joyful to notice how the Holy Spirit builds on each card to compliment the next. Usually by the end of the circle sharing all of the thoughts seem to highlight a single theme that carries a unique message for the entire group. During this time it becomes quite clear that we are never alone in our journey home and in this connecting experience we are further united as One.