Loving What Is

Four Questions That Can Change Your Life

By: Byron Katie, Stephen Mitchell

Narrated by: Byron Katie, Stephen Mitchell, MacLeod Andrews, Rebecca Lowman

Out of nowhere, like a cool breeze in a marketplace crowded with advice, comes Byron Katie and “The Work.”

In the midst of a normal life, Katie became increasingly depressed, and over a ten-year period sank further into rage, despair, and thoughts of suicide. Then one morning, she woke up in a state of absolute joy, filled with the realization of how her own suffering had ended. The freedom of that realization has never left her, and now in Loving What Is you can discover the same freedom through The Work.

The Work is simply four questions that, when applied to a specific problem, enable you to see what is troubling you in an entirely different light. As Katie says, “It’s not the problem that causes our suffering; it’s our thinking about the problem.” Contrary to popular belief, trying to let go of a painful thought never works; instead, once we have done The Work, the thought lets go of us. At that point, we can truly love what is, just as it is.

Loving What Is will show you step-by-step, through clear and vivid examples, exactly how to use this revolutionary process for yourself. You’ll see people do The Work with Katie on a broad range of human problems, from a wife ready to leave her husband because he wants more sex, to a Manhattan worker paralyzed by fear of terrorism, to a woman suffering over a death in her family. Many people have discovered The Work’s power to solve problems; in addition, they say that through The Work they experience a sense of lasting peace and find the clarity and energy to act, even in situations that had previously seemed impossible.

If you continue to do The Work, you may discover, as many people have, that the questioning flows into every aspect of your life, effortlessly undoing the stressful thoughts that keep you from experiencing peace. Loving What Is offers everything you need to learn and live this remarkable process, and to find happiness as what Katie calls “a lover of reality.”

Critic reviews

“Good Lord! Where did Byron Katie come from? She’s the real McCoy. Her Work is amazingly effective—a simple, straightforward antidote to the suffering we unnecessarily create for ourselves. She asks us to believe nothing, but provides a surprisingly effective and simple way to cut through the tangle of delusions we wrap ourselves in. Just reading the exchanges in Loving What Is, I can admit things I didn’t want to admit and stop torturing myself in ways I didn’t realize I was doing.”
-- David Chadwick, author of Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki

“Suppose you could find a simple way to embrace your life with joy, stop arguing with reality, and achieve serenity in the midst of chaos? That is what Loving What Is offers. It is no less than a revolutionary way to live your life. The question is: are we brave enough to accept it?”
-- Erica Jong, author of Fear of Flying

“Byron Katie’s Work is a great blessing for our planet. The root cause of suffering is identification with our thoughts, the ‘stories’ that are continuously running through our minds. Byron Katie’s Work acts like a razor-sharp sword that cuts through that illusion and enables you to know for yourself the timeless essence of your being. Joy, peace, and love emanate from it as your natural state. In Loving What Is, you have the key. Now use it.”
-- Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now

“Loving What Is is filled with the essence of wisdom. Katie’s Work is a wonderful, transformative practice for anyone interested in spiritual growth.”
-- Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha Within

Recommended by my ex-wife

This book was recommended to me by ex-wife and I was skeptical of the book's ability to impact me. However, after putting the book's principles into practice, I have noticed a shift in my thinking, attitudes, and beliefs that have positively impacted the relationship with my children. Although my ex-wife and I rarely speak, I feel much more peaceful in my outlook towards her. I recommend this book to anyone interested in improving their relationships.

Profound and simple 💯🔥🤘

A solid tool for releasing everything that doesn’t matter. Another way of saying releasing everything. lol

Such a helpful tool with many diverse examples of its use. Really enjoyed this and I imagine I will reference it in the future many times. Thank you for writing it. 🤗

Absolutely life changing

I fully enjoyed that she narrates this book herself with the help of others in the interviewees. Thank you!!!!!

A path to peace

Truly mind expanding. Learning to question your own thoughts/beliefs and to learn to recognize them as your source of suffering is vital to finding peace. The author gives very simple steps to begin and is very loving in her delivery.

Give yourself the gift of peace, let Katie show you how.

So simple yet as the author states - no one knew finding peace and reducing your stress could really be so simple and be within your control. Loved the book. Plan to listen repeatedly and do the work.