Brian E. Young

Seeing Your Own Inner World

Revisado: 08-25-23

Byron Katie invites us to try out self-discovery. It introduces “The Work,” a simple meditative process noticing our thoughts.

This process works by writing out our thoughts and working through the ideas we wrote down, either through more writing or with another person familiar with the process. Note that the other person is someone we consent to go through the process, trust to support us, and who we truly know we are safe with.

The book presents the idea that we can use guided questions to better understand our beliefs and initial assumptions. While we might know intellectually that beliefs, thoughts, and assumptions are different from physical reality, it can help to slow down and look at more details.

When we slow down, the book gives us ideas for what we what our ideas might mean. This can help us to notice what our thoughts miss in our experiences. When we are stressed, our thoughts overfocus on certain details and forget others.

While listening, one might have certain reservations. It’s understandable to think that questioning our thoughts could lead to blaming ourselves for our own suffering.

When we accept that we're not to blame, we can seek our own understanding and our own innocence. This helps to notice our reactions to external events and notice the thoughts we have during our pain.

The audiobook is filled with recordings of real practical examples and real-life situations, making the concepts accessible and relatable. It doesn’t promise instant solutions but offers a pathway to understanding and accepting ‘what is.’

If we’re constantly questioning our thoughts, could we end up denying our experiences? The discussion in the book isn’t encouraging us to look away from reality; instead, we slow down to note every detail of our reality. Then we can see the difference of our the thoughts and beliefs that cause suffering.

We can accept ‘what is’ real for ourselves–and not anyone else. It's also not encouraging other people to override or push us into their beliefs. We have to know what we think of ourselves.

The audiobook also includes dialogues from people who have done “The Work” with Katie at public events—people dealing with cancer diagnoses, job loss, relationship problems, and other real-world issues.

Those of us who are activists might worry that “The Work” could stifle efforts for social change. Could this discourage us from working towards societal change? By promoting self-awareness and personal growth, this can empower individuals to effect change in their lives and, by extension, in society.

We look for possibilities and options that we didn't think of. How could we do more than we're doing? When we learn how to spend less energy on the stress of our world's problems, we can make real changes.

While it’s true that “The Work” can be practiced by anyone, it’s important for individuals to approach it responsibly and consider seeking professional guidance if needed. Including other methods that might work better for your situation

“The Work” itself involves four questions and a turnaround, which is a way of experiencing the opposite of what you believe. It doesn't mean that this opposite is true, it's just looking at if part of it might be true. Our thoughts can be all or nothing, and this is a way of seeing if there's a middle ground. And it's okay if you don't find middle ground! You just are looking to see possible new perspectives and insights into our own minds.

I would recommend it to anyone seeking to understand themselves better. Only you can know “what is” for you.

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Identify errors in your thinking

Revisado: 12-28-20

We all have bad days. It's human. We can spiral downward in those moments.

As a nonfiction reader, I felt delighted to find a book about momentary thoughts and feelings. Practice observing your automatic thoughts, feelings, and external triggers with a few simple strategies. Every chapter contains real-life activities you can try.

With this useful and insightful book, I learned how to practice methods for myself that therapists and experts have taught patients for decades. These concepts help me catch my negative patterns that offer an inaccurate view of my circumstances.

The validation chapter explains new ways to help others with support and emotional intelligence. What should we each consider when you're asked to reflect on their experience? If you want to grow as a support system for your friends, family, and co-workers, you'll find in-depth practical advice here. These were new to me!

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Awesome PDF of Tools and Audio Examples

Revisado: 07-21-17

If you could sum up When Panic Attacks in three words, what would they be?

Tools Helping Anxiety

What did you like best about this story?

The problem solving tools and understanding behind this book is well researched. Tackled anxiety from many angles including information. Useful tools, actions and ideas for in the moment.

The PDF makes it easy to review many of the ideas quickly.

Which scene was your favorite?

Cognitive distortions related to shyness and anxiety are super helpful. Very quickly with a bit of problem solving can work against the untrue and problematic thoughts

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Anxiety is a result of anxious thoughts. Sometimes our behavior enforces that thoughts

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esto le resultó útil a 11 personas

Love Poehler's Real and Behind the Scenes Look

Revisado: 01-20-15

Amy Poehler is not putting on a show. She offers an inside perspective from inside her own mind and her actual view on the people surrounding her. I sympathize with the reviewers who think she should have come up with a less sincere comedy adaptation. And at the same time, if you've seen Parks and Rec, SNL, or any of Amy Poehler's work you've already heard the funny version. Here she deconstructs where all of that came from. Listen closely to the prologue. She's not kidding when she asks you to change your expectations for the book and that it isn't going to be what you expected

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