{"id":261,"date":"2013-03-15T03:08:33","date_gmt":"2013-03-15T03:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/?page_id=261"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:02:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:02:43","slug":"origins-of-the-work","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/origins-of-the-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Origins of The Work"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Work was founded by Byron Katie (also simply known as Katie) in 1986.<\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<p class=\"rPeykc\" data-hveid=\"CAMQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Qo_EKegQIAxAB\"><span class=\"\" data-huuid=\"12725926667305627505\">The Work,&#8221; a self-inquiry process, was founded by Byron Katie (also known as Katie) in 1986. It is a method for identifying and questioning thoughts that cause stress and suffering.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<p class=\"rPeykc pyPiTc\" data-hveid=\"CAwQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Qo_EKegQIDBAB\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930132921\">Here&#8217;s a more detailed explanation:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<ul data-hveid=\"CDwQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Qm_YKegQIPBAB\">\n<li class=\"K3KsMc\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"Gur8Ad\"><span class=\"oXzekf\" data-huuid=\"4232443721930131190\"><strong>Inspiration:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p><span class=\"oXzekf\" data-huuid=\"4232443721930130613\">In 1986, after a period of deep depression and self-loathing, Byron Katie experienced a profound shift in awareness, realizing that her suffering stemmed from believing her stressful thoughts.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"1c438972-34b6-45cf-bb1c-b42720de7088\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"1c438972-34b6-45cf-bb1c-b42720de7088\" data-uuids=\"4232443721930131190,4232443721930130613\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CCsQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Q3fYKegQIKxAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"K3KsMc\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"Gur8Ad\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930129459\"><strong>Core Concept:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930132978\">Katie realized that when she believed her thoughts, she suffered, but when she questioned them, she found freedom from suffering.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"92bf711d-589a-48a5-ae85-02330579efbc\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"92bf711d-589a-48a5-ae85-02330579efbc\" data-uuids=\"4232443721930129459,4232443721930132978\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CBcQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Q3fYKegQIFxAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"K3KsMc\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"Gur8Ad\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930131824\"><strong>The Work:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930131247\">This realization led her to develop &#8220;The Work,&#8221; a process of self-inquiry using four questions and turnarounds to examine stressful thoughts.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"97958c3e-629a-44e1-a607-4f17460eb06e\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"97958c3e-629a-44e1-a607-4f17460eb06e\" data-uuids=\"4232443721930131824,4232443721930131247\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CCQQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Q3fYKegQIJBAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"K3KsMc\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"Gur8Ad\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930130093\"><strong>Four Questions:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930129516\">The Work involves asking four key questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol data-hveid=\"CDcQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0QnPYKegQINxAB\">\n<li value=\"1\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930131881\">Is it true?<\/span><\/li>\n<li value=\"2\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930130727\">Can you absolutely know that it&#8217;s true?<\/span><\/li>\n<li value=\"3\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930129573\">How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"c05902bb-d873-41be-a246-d5d8fc5f5917\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"c05902bb-d873-41be-a246-d5d8fc5f5917\" data-uuids=\"4232443721930129573\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CDQQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Q3fYKegQINBAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li value=\"4\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930132515\">Who would you be without that thought?<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"07c6c17c-8e52-4fb4-9ea5-1dc02225e866\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"07c6c17c-8e52-4fb4-9ea5-1dc02225e866\" data-uuids=\"4232443721930132515\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CCoQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Q3fYKegQIKhAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"K3KsMc\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"Gur8Ad\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930131361\"><strong>Turnarounds:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930130784\">After answering the four questions, the thought is turned around to its opposite and other perspectives.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"3d52c114-50d5-4be2-89e7-c34c64cfeb1f\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"3d52c114-50d5-4be2-89e7-c34c64cfeb1f\" data-uuids=\"4232443721930131361,4232443721930130784\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CDEQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Q3fYKegQIMRAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"K3KsMc\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"Gur8Ad\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930129630\"><strong>Purpose:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930133149\">The Work aims to help individuals identify and challenge their stressful thoughts, leading to greater peace and freedom.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"210c5fa2-c8fc-42e5-a72b-10a4fac8b7a7\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"210c5fa2-c8fc-42e5-a72b-10a4fac8b7a7\" data-uuids=\"4232443721930129630,4232443721930133149\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CCwQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjJjci7hY2OAxUHK1kFHXfXJz0Q3fYKegQILBAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"K3KsMc\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"Gur8Ad\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930131995\"><strong>Dissemination:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\"><span data-huuid=\"4232443721930131418\">Since 1986, Byron Katie has shared The Work with millions of people through public events, workshops, and publications like &#8220;Loving What Is&#8221;.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"065659e8-b460-4e6d-a118-4e2bec2e1d28\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Work was founded by Byron Katie (also simply known as Katie) in 1986. The Work,&#8221; a self-inquiry process, was founded by Byron Katie (also known as Katie) in 1986. It is a method for identifying and questioning thoughts that &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/origins-of-the-work\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/261"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=261"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1105,"href":"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/261\/revisions\/1105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theworkwithbryan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}