Friday, January 29, 2010

Loving What Is

Several months ago, my friend Laura gave me Byron Katie's book Loving What Is.  I'm just now sitting down to read/work it.  The basic idea seems to be that we create our own pain and misery by expecting/demanding/wanting/requiring that things be other than what they are.  Let's say I am angry and frustrated and disappointed because my boyfriend didn't call me when he said he would (again).  He should call me when he says he will!  Otherwise, I feel like I'm not important, not a priority.  Byron Katie asks me to ask myself 4 questions:

  1. Is it true that he should call when he says he will?  I would have said YES!
  2. Can I absolutely know it is true that he should call me?   But Katie says the answer is no and the way I know that is because that is what is so.  I know that it isn't true that he should call me because he didn't call me.
  3. How do I react when I believe the thought that he should call when he says he will and if he doesn't it means I'm not important?  It feels BAD.  I feel alone, sad.
  4. Who would I be without this thought?  I'd be more peaceful.
Then, we're supposed to do a "Turnaround."  For example:

An opposite statement:  I am important or He shouldn't call when he says he will unless he wants to.
Turning the thought to myself: I'm not important to me, I don't prioritize myself.
Turning the thought to the other person:  I don't do what I say I will.  When he doesn't call when he says he will, he's not important to me, I don't prioritize him.

So, what do I think about that?  The turnarounds that resonate with me are "he shouldn't call when he says he will unless he wants to," I'm not important (enough) to myself, I don't prioritize myself.

The learning seems (so far) to be that my boyfriend will and should do what he does (that's his business) and I should prioritize myself and honor my importance to myself (my business). 

Any thoughts?