ByronKatie.com

These videos are my bread and water, along with Eckhart Tolle. I love that you also add beautiful inspiring videos like that of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Today I came back to this site and went to find some videos to invite friends to watch. The one from Israel K was gone along with several others. Is there some way you could simply save all the videos that are replaced by placing them in some archived list...rather than letting them disappear? There were some others with a political speaker. It had not aired but due to your diligence, we were enabled to witness the interview. Also, I would hope that whatever is captured of Katie's work would always be accessible somewhere...I am assuming that everything is somewhere on the list if one can just find it.
Thank you very much. I am so grateful for all I have received already simply by perusing this site.
Thank you.
Stephanie

God knows nothing foreign to god, as god is all. What exist other than god if god is all there is of all there is? The so-called mortal or personal sense is inherently fictional and thus humans deal in that which isn't in the realm that which isn't. That which is knows nothing of that which isn't because that which isn't doesn't exist at all in any context. If you start in the context of humanity you automatically start with duality. Mankind can't be rationalized and explained away and in reality there's no point in attempting to explain that which has no foundation in reality. It makes no sense to look for where fiction originated. It's fiction, not real, not actual, not reality.

The problem isn't the human mind and the evil thinking of the human mind. The answer isn't a better way of thinking but the complete absence of thinking. Of course, in reality there is no problem at all. The problem is not really a problem but it may seem like one if you start as one. If you start under the assumption that there is a separate human mind then the stories are plucked from a seemingly endless grab bag. Inquiring into the stories will in the end bring no permanent results. The so-called mind that generates the stories is as fictional as the stories themselves. Can you really start now other than with what you are as what you are. You are reality! Starting under assumption working in presumption is not starting now and thus you are not doing anything, as there is no one to do it and nowhere to do it. Reality leaves no place for another presence, as reality is all the presence there is. In order to know truth one must begin with truth now. There is no other and thus no other way. This is not my way, your way or the way. Truth is the unquantifiable way. Infinity is not a measurement.

The only real help is the kind that eliminates the need for help and only reality does so by precluding the necessity for help. In reality no one has ever been helped, healed, enlightened or awakened. No one has ever suffered or been harmed. God is changeless perfection, god never suffered or strayed. God is ceaselessly being what god is, all that is now. God needs no help. God is neither teacher nor student. God is not a concept, a belief system or a methodology. God doesn't rely on belief, faith or hope. God is pure knowingness and knows only god, as god is all there is. God is neither subject nor object. In purity with clarity truth ceaselessly authenticates and illuminates truth. God is truth!

Of course, the word reality is simply a pointer to what is utterly ineffable and yet boundless and unavoidable. Reality that is unquantifiable, wordless, timeless, changeless, indivisible and unconditional is all there is. Reality precludes otherness and thus this leaves no separate little human minds and no stories to investigate. Reality is the only real help, as only reality is real. Truth, love, spirit, being, god, reality, totality, actuality, all words that point to what is ineffable.

There are people, mortals that exist that need help. Is that true. God needs help. Is that true?

God is all there is. That which is now is all there is now and now is eternally now. God never changed, suffered, became lost in a story, a delusion, an illusion. God never separated from god, broke off into pieces, fell from grace or anything of the sort. God never became lost in belief of a story.

There is no person that can tell another as to the nature of truth or reality. Why? Because god is all there is. Reality is not one or two. Reality is immeasurable, indefinable and indescribable. God never created anyone, anything, anywhere. God is now and now is eternally now. God conceives and perceives things or ideas but they remain ideas forever perfect included in the wholeness of that which is. Ideas are conceived in spirit by spirit but add nothing to spirit as spirit is already all there is now.

Ideas are ideas only, god never relegates any part of god to an idea, as god is indivisible. Does all this feel truer? Only god knows, as god is reality and reality works exclusively with reality. Start with truth and there is no recognition of another mind beside infinite mind that is all the mind there is. Only the mind of god can know the mind that is god. There is no other way, method, practice, program, etc. God is now!

Starting as a person and saying no can know anything is silly in that by saying so you are saying you know. That which is knows that it is. Truth is all there is. I personally know nothing. I personally don't exist. The reader of these words is the message and the messenger.

In response to the Katie and Glen discourse;

Dear Katie,
When i saw this video for the first time today,i felt somewhat uncomfortable regarding the way you told it and I am probably mistaken.
You asked for criticism and it was given to you in a very superficial way. In your recounting of it you say on video that he could have a career in 'making over' women and to the audience that he was a member of that they should go to him for criticism.

It appeared on the surface to be a little mocking of him and perhaps looking to show your ability to accept criticism, but also, as we know any criticism ulitmately oomes back to oneself, a bit setting up. On the video there seems to be a tacit meta message that 'he is ugly' or he 'has ugly thoughts' this may or may not be true but it was perhaps an opportunity for 'the work' to take place with the first question addressing what he said.

Although this somewhat puts you in a bind because when you are doing 'the work' on a person that has criticised you it could appear defensive or seeking validation.

So from the outside it could appear that you were as glen puts it 'self-servingly magnanimous' or the alternative is to possibly use the work in a 'defensive' way.

I recognise when writing this, and it is part of the reason i am doing so, that i am being critical and that criticism is one of myself. Perhaps it is a fear that by doing the work a motivation is to show i am better than another.

However, i believe in the efficacy of the work although it sometimes frightens me to loosen my grip on my ego and there are many stages for me to undergo.

Anyway, thankyou for the experiences of love and realisation that i have accessed whilst my mind has been with you and the participants teaching

You're ugly
You're beautiful
you're this - you're that
None of my thoughts/concepts mean anything - all of them are equally unreal unless I give them meaning and sort them out and categorise them and make one different from the other - ugly is bad, beautiful is good, that thought is mean, that thought is wondeful

None of my thoughts/concepts are true about anything, about me, about anything I think I see - only what is eternal is and that is kind to all - to all my meaningless concepts it does not differentiate and judge one as better than the other - they all come to pass and have nothing to do with Reality and who I am.

Thankyou - we have this opportunity to question the ones I still believe have meaning so they can fall away and I can rest in the Me that always Is and let my mind and the world I made disappear in it's kindly light and ever present love.

Thankyou from the bottome of my Heart

Answer to Glenn's comments:

If this guy in San Quentin commenting on Katie's appearance was "telling the truth" to her, then why didn't she get rid of the glasses, do something with her hair, etc.?

It was just his opinion, angel. It was his truth I was listening for, without putting my ideas of self on his opinions. For my part, I was seeing how he could see me that way, it was understandable from his world, and I could see me from his view. His is his, mine is mine, and our honored opinions make up two me’s. I was interested in his world and how he sees.

And I didn't get that Katie had stepped into the student position when listening to this guy who could have been, after all, pulling her leg about how ugly she was.

I loved this guy, no matter what he said or saw, that’s my job and my joy. And I’m sure by the end of our laughter and conversation together, the connection with him that I experienced in my internal world left him as my friend, someone I loved talking to, listening to, growing with. I loved the woman he described me as, the woman I saw me as through his eyes. The woman he described turned out to be someone he could laugh with, get close to, be open with, unprotected with in a way that he could say anything to her and they could discuss it openly. He came to smile and laugh with an “ugly” (through his eyes) woman with unacceptable gray hair, and even though she didn’t dump the glasses, he still came to be her friend (in her opinion). The two of us talked about her, he gave her a free no-holds-barred make-over, she loved it, they both agreed it could be a wonderful change for her, and all was well in the end, the way that both of us found her to be in the moment just the way that she was. This very experience showed her, convinced her, that there was no need to “dump” the glasses, etc. And who knows, he could have been kidding all along about her. She was.

How would you know what he meant? If believing your own thoughts regarding being attacked by someone is insane (becoming defensive) then how much crazier is believing your own self-serving magnanimity.

I don’t understand what you mean by “self-serving magnanimity.” I didn’t feel magnanimous. I was just listening honestly, and open to his world, open to his view of me as ugly and in great need of improvement. I didn’t feel attacked at all. I don’t recall how I reported the account that you mention, and I hope this straightens it out for you. Thank you dearest, for your entry on this blog.

Hello,

I'm trying, sometimes, to do the work of katie. I have been living a lot of time with a lot of thoughts like: "Opus Dei destroied my life", "I should not be depressed (or with psicological and physical problems)", "I should not leave my doctoral thesis (my carreer)", "my father shouldn't give me a job so bad (in public administration)", "medication was bad for me", "medication is bad for me", "I need another job", "my live (or I am) is a failure", "people in public administratios is bad, awful, lazy...", "I don't want more medication", "my father failed me", I made a bad desicion", "my life never will be ok again", "I don`t like my job", "I never will be happy again", "I should be (feel) like katie (or Eckhart Tolle)" etc. But for me a lot of times its dificult to do that for the love of truth. Any suggestions?

Thank you very much

emilio

Thanks for the posting Glenn, it got me thinking :-)

Someone else has said to me, repeatedly 'There is truth in everything, even if it is only 2%'.

He could have been 'pulling her leg ... How would you know what he meant?' - you make a great point, how can we EVER know how / what someone really means - we are always making up what people mean - from their tone of voice, look, etc.

Whether it was said in humor or anger doesn't make it any less valid for me - what matters is how I take what is said. Can I take it lightly and sincerely regardless?

That's what I take from this - if I can't accept something that someone says, there is a part of me somewhere that is in resistance to this idea - something I am trying to deny. It may not be directly what the person is pointing to, but there will be something I am not accepting or owning.

And just because someone thinks I should do something doesn't mean that I have to do it - but it is worth listening and considering what has been offered, rather than discounting it without question because the 'guy knows nothing' or 'is an idiot', etc, etc. The kind of thought I can have that writes people off without even realising it.

With love,

Jon

If this guy commenting on Katie's appearance was "telling the truth" to her then why didn't she get rid of the glasses, do something with her hair, etc.? I didn't get that Katie had stepped into the student postiion when listening to this guy who could have been, after all, pulling her leg about how ugly she was. How would you know what he meant? If believing your own thoughts regarding being attacked by someone is insane (becoming defensive)then how much crazier is believing your own self serving magnanimity?

Hi Ron and everyone: ;-)

The first thing that occurs to me...

what do any of us truly know about world figures? We see images, we read histories. Who writes the histories? History is written by the victors, some have noticed.

(And I have plenty of work to do on this topic area, I'm willing to bet.)

At any rate: a couple possible jumping off places:

"AHitler was responsible for World War II"

"AHitler was a heartless tyrant"

Is that true?

...

Imagine living the "story" that you not only led to the deaths of millions of your countrymen, but that you failed to save the world. What a freaking story! What hell, if those were your final days! My heart melts at this, and I can probably say the same for the final hours of any such dictator. ...and am *I*, at root, any different from Pol Pot, John F. Kennedy, G.W. Bush, Marcus Aurelius, etc.? that's what I ask myself sometimes. (yes I'm throwing in some varying and unlikely names here, just to play with it...)

Wouldn't the final moments of bodily life for any world-historical political leader be likely to be filled with deep deep pain? (~ and, I'd like to make mention, that I don't know.)

Warm regards!

Yours in mystery,

N.

I was spellbound, Katie, by this video. Lovely to see you so alive and I love it that you give the real example and your work-out. Thank you.

If your belief is that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, then what about the times when we get in the way of a benevolent God? Or misunderstand direction because of our own "insane" thoughts? Do you think that we are redirected? I struggle with the consequences of insane thinking and then the effort to get life on a better path. Yes, I may be wiser as a result of the internal growth, but it is never a good thing to be misdirected or to be uncooperative with the flow of love.

Thank you for all that you do with your generous spirit and loving mind.

Thanks so much KT and LAURA!!!

Here's what happened after I posted the original (lengthy) comment; I would like to share:

First, I continued to visit this blog to see any new updates from KT - because it is a source of inspiration for me. I didn't expect actually for such a lengthy comment (ie: my comment) to be included. And I also saw the post about "Katie-isms" (which helped).

Second, for some reason - the really strange sense of being disconnected has seemed to dissolve (at least has ebbed because I don't feel it so acutely for some reason though I have lived with it for about 9 years now). I was musing about this and thinking to myself "perhaps if ONE person holds a high thought for another- the other feels it". I personally believe no matter what anyone says- that KT reads every post. Even if she couldn't see it for like 6 months; I feel her truth is so strong and mind shattering (literally), her heart cannot help but go out to everyone regardless when, if or why she ever read their "story". And after all, isn't it all just ONE heart? I am really, truly happy for the support and also, especially for the support from Laura who took the time...

Laura: You are right. You just said the obvious truth - it's all on a "need to know" basis. There is the question I have been somehow (if unconsciously) working on which eluded me; which is: "WHY DO I THINK I 'NEED TO KNOW'?" - I am not "thinking" this question now but actually FEELING it; seems this has made a difference for me. Do I know all the answers, no. But it is true to say that not feeling compelled to "have to know all the answers" alleviates the pain of living a life that appears bereft for lack of "the knowing". My new truth is: "UN-knowing" and I am working to get comfortable with this new approach. While I still don't see anything on the end side of the rainbow (figuratively)- I am not waking up daily feeling like a big "waste of time" because I am not doing something more: "important, creative, acknowledged, recognized". I am learning (by living it) that real grace is like a gift where the giver is unaware that they have given anything; there is no value judgement. I am really working at getting this; it's sort of like walking with new shoes on. It is a NON DISCRIMINATORY thing; beyond thought of a "doer doing something magninamous and magical and great". Perhaps it can just be said in the word "being". I feel (personally anyway) that "being" is also a big part of KT's message too.

Katie thank you so much for being a real giver - without the strings. And Laura, thank you too for your thoughtful reply. I am amazed at the really unique people here. Thanks again everyone.

Aimee

Ron's question about Hitler caught my eye.

What comes for me is to simply do 'The Work' on Hitler - write down what you think he should or shouldn't have done, what you think of him then apply the questions and the turnarounds.

With love,

Jon

Dear Aimee:
If you choose to believe in a benevolent God, than you can be certain that 1) all information is on a need-to-know basis and 2) you are exactly where you are suppossed to be. I think you are wonderful just for trying so hard to know the truth and about love...It makes me feel good that there are people on the earth like you. Peace to you, Lauri

A very long comment...thanks for letting me share---

Dear KT,

I first saw you on a program featured on the OASIS TV channel, and I felt like “maybe just maybe” there was something there that would work for me. This was sort of a big deal because when I gave up my “vow to be a nun” at around 17 or so, I started to feel that everything we believed about God, truth and ourselves; was in fact – bullshit. Aren’t we all just trying to “get” something? I couldn’t seem to find the original thought that creates the pursuit of “God, Truth, Self” in the first place. So I renounced all religion. After that, if I even had a religion – it was the “religion” of my own life and has honestly felt like one big struggle with no apparent end (20 years later).

I am finally grateful for the many people that have crossed my path and been as teachers (after many years- many changes- because I didn’t always see the opportunity for “learning”!). Yet, I have still not found what I am seeking. In my mind, I can grasp the idea that there is nothing to find, no where to go, everything is right here. But I still struggle with actually EXPERIENCING these things, and it is definitely not something that can be forced, faked, or assumed by the intellect (unquestioned mind). I sense that a person really needs to experience it in order to know it and live it moment by moment.

What I really truly struggle with is the constant sensation of separateness. It is heightened within me at all times – truth be told. Perhaps I need to embrace it instead of fighting it all the time. Even in my dreams, there are times when I am taken to places (in consciousness) that seem like I finally overcame this separation. But even then, at the end of it all- the big finale is always “well here YOU are still!” Not funny and not fun. Only once in my life did I experience anything approaching the oneness of which you and others have spoken; it occurred after a very stressful birth actually and I thought for sure I was going to die- consciously die. I was holding my newborn in my arms the first night I was allowed to go home. Suddenly it was like a vacuum appeared and it was so powerful, I had to use all my strength to fight it. It felt like a giant magnet. A big huge black magnet of nothing-ness and had I entered into it, I would have been consumed into nothing-ness. I did not meditate for this to happen nor did I wish it to. It was absolutely spontaneous. I recall trying to shout “NO. No it’s not time. I have this baby to care for.” But I had no voice. I couldn’t see my body or even the tiny infant in my arms. I could see only spectral lights in trying to look at the physical body. This blackness continued to consume me and finally it stopped because I fought it with all my strength. Then I simply passed out at that point. I was not unconscious, but felt like I was in a waking dream. Where everything was real- but not really…. Only this one truly momentous (and inexplicable) experience possibly approaches that oneness or “void” or “nothingness” of which you and others have spoken. However, at least for me, it was frightening in a way. I was fully conscious; not asleep, not dreaming. Completely aware of it while it was occurring; completely aware that I definitely was going to die and cease to exist. I was also very conscious of the fact that there really was NOTHING on the other side.

I don’t really know why I am writing this, but perhaps because I see in you something I do NOT experience in myself, despite great effort. I am not envious of you, but I recognize something important. I am sort of inspired by you because I know it must exist in me too- otherwise I could never recognize it in anyone else- I just don’t experience it directly and wish that I did. I have real trouble just accepting anything as “truth” until it becomes “true” for me. Otherwise, it is nothing more than another mental construct.

Right now I am reading your book “I need your love- is that true?” I love that title- it’s hilarious! Every day for years I have gone to work – tended to children – done all that needs to be done (tried to)- and secretly carried around what has cumulated into depression. I cry every hour long ride to work “please if there is any grace out there at all – can you please smash my incessant overactive mind”; and the same occurs on the ride home. This is my daily life experience.

I hope you read this letter.

I have a bajillion questions.

I wish I could just be a devotee… of ANYTHING, but I cannot. I wish I could just “lovingly accept”, but cannot without understanding WHY. I am like a banshee “I WANT TO KNOW – I WANT TO BE FREE – AND I WANT THE WHOLE WORLD TO BE FREE TOO”. Recently, on my morning long drive of tears and begging of the universe (like an idiot no doubt) - I asked the question, “What IS IT that impedes my understanding?” The answer appeared. It said, “It is your NEED TO UNDERSTAND that is your obstacle”.

How do I give up this need to understand, to know? And why should I? Perhaps I erroneously believe that if I ask the right question, or ask enough questions, I will obtain some answers. For me, it is to the point that even things that once brought me joy and sparked creativity are now utterly boring because the question now is, “What’s the purpose? Do I even have one?” I ask. I bet at some point in your life you MUST also have asked these very questions.

Maybe I am writing this to you because, when I have tried to express this, no one else seems to know what the heck I am talking about. It is not blissful, it is not full of light and joy at all times, it is not perfect peace. I too seek truth, God, love, “one without second”. My truth is: it’s a living hell, an endless sacrifice. If I could find a way to “lose myself” to find myself, I would do it in a New York second. Meditation has not done it for me, drugs and “zoning out” have no appeal and therefore were never an option for me. I carry with me always the sense of separation and fear…. Like you once said, “How can you stop wars when you can’t stop the war in your own mind?” That is indeed true. I own that truth right now.

Thanks for listening.

Aimee

Dearest Katie,
Thank you for all that you are and all that you do. It's almost exactly a year since I attended the wonderful school of "Me" in L.A.. I can't begin to tell you how rich my life has become. I love that The Work does me and that I live in a place of peace and joy consistently. I love that The Work lives and breathes within me as it does so many others. I love that I married the man whom I had intended on leaving upon my return from L.A. last year!... I could no longer find a reason not too. I love my life Katie, and everything about it. And... I love you. All is well... nothing else is possible. You are my friend and mentor, and I thank the Universe for the gift of YOU! Though not physically present at this October's School, I am there none-the-less. My love to Paula, Leslie and Adam too!

In love and light, Sandi

I have an honest question. If the only evil in the world is in my mind how do I process the likes of Adolph Hitler? I really do want to understand. Thank you! :)

"...Well, you should have thought of these things.

I did. Thinking is not enough.

Nothing is. There is no final enough of wisdom, experience--any fucking thing. No Holy Grail, No Final Satori, no final solution. Just conflict.

Only thing can resolve conflict is love, like I felt for Fletch and Ruski, Spooner and Calico. Pure love. What I feel for my cats present and past.

Love? What is It?
Most natural painkiller what there is.
LOVE."

~~~ William S. Burroughs: Last Words: July 30, 1997. ~~~ died August 2, 1997.

Katie,

I take issue with the part about accepting what the prisoner says about you as gospel. When he says, "You're ugly", why believe him? Why teach others to accept what 'negativity' someone offers? A dear friend recently said things to me that were intended to hurt my feelings, and truly I felt like I'd been stabbed. Was there some truth in her statements? Yes, but they were things I'd been sincerely trying to overcome. I saw that her comments could have easily applied to herself. What she accused me of, she already was. Unfortunately I chose to remove myself from this friend, because I no longer respect her values, and no longer see the point in being around someone who is negative to me. I can love her from afar, knowing she's hurting, knowing I did my best to be loving toward her despite her treatment toward me...but in the end I believe it's wiser to remove oneself from a verbal abuser. The Work has taught me a LOT, but for me, respectfully, you create mixed messages in your teachings by suggesting one can, or should, bear the brunt of verbal abuse. Why not encouraging people to act on intuition and leave a situation that doesn't feel good? Comments?