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

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Out of nowhere, like a 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 10-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".

©2002 Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell (P)2016 Random House Audio

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 Isoffers. 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)

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.

Absolutely life changing

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

Very eye opening and so helpful!! Loved it

The author really touched my life with this book and in dealing with my thoughts! It is a must read over and over again!!! And really ponder on the material to get the full impact. Great real scenarios enacted. Loved her voice! Best book!

It will change your life!

Quite possibly the most powerful book I have ever read! I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

Simple, loving, potentially life changing

Though I'm still digesting it and using The Work by Byron Katie (there are other The Work's), I must say that I wholeheartedly encourage anyone to take this journey of self discovery and potentially deep change. The audiobook itself includes the author and is very well done, very engaging, and takes the listener through many instances of the author guiding others through the process she calls The Work. Go for it. It is a gift.

Profound. Will end so much unnecessary suffering if read

I loved the narration - a curated collection of encounters between the warm, gentle and wise Byron Katie and individuals of diverse backgrounds and emotions. Five stars

Absolutely freeing

As I started to do the work, I immediately could feel a relief. I could see how my stories had weighed me down in my past. Having that tool, the questions and the turn around in my pocket and using them, it’s the greatest gift I can give to myself. I realized at first how much space it brings into my whole being, how patient I suddenly became with my child e.g. but mainly with myself. My projections onto the world are uncovering and I feel free and at peace with myself.

best book ever

I have never read a book that is so powerful, so life changing. I can't stop reading it.

forever grateful

this book changed and saved my life and every relationship in it including with myself

When the Pupil is Ready

It has been said that when the pupil is ready the teacher will appear. I just didn’t know that the teacher was already within me until Byron Katie pointed it out in this book and taught me how to access him through the work. The work is proving to be a wonderful and powerful tool in making real changes in my life. If you’re looking to find peace within, I highly recommend LOVING WHAT IS.