Posted by:
ab
(
)
Date: February 17, 2015 05:44PM
I like Byron Katie's unconditional acceptance of the moment while still taking responsibility for how she acts (not reacts). I also like the unconditional joy she claims to feel. I am moving in that direction. I like her book, "1000 Names for Joy" ie everything is joy and she feels a part of everything. More suffering is often caused by reacting to a situation than the situation itself. The book uses the TAO as a spring board in discussion. I also like her husband's books and translations (Stephen Mitchell).
Here is a story from her book: (see
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/byron-katie/how-i-learned-to-stop-suf_b_70207.html )
A man sticks a pistol into my stomach, pulls the hammer back, and says, "I'm going to kill you." I am shocked that he is taking his thoughts so seriously. He doesn't understand that the thought of killing causes guilt, which can lead to a life of suffering, so I ask him, as kindly as I can, not to do it. I don't tell him that it's his suffering I'm thinking of. He says that he has to do it, and I understand; I remember believing that I had to do things in my old life. I thank him for doing the best he can, and I notice that I'm fascinated. Is this how she dies? Is this how the story ends? As the joy continues to fill me, I find it miraculous that the story is still going on. You can never know the ending, even as it ends. I am very moved at the sight of sky, clouds, and moonlit trees. I love that I don't miss one moment, one breath, of this amazing life. I wait. And wait. And in the end, he doesn't pull the trigger. He doesn't do that to himself.