Teaching
The Work is a written self-inquiry: you note stressful judgements about a concrete situation on a worksheet, ask four questions of each thought (from 'Is it true?' to 'Who would you be without that thought?') and then turn it around. Suffering, she says, comes from believing thoughts that argue with what is. 2, 3, 4
Who it is for
For people who want a simple written method to question their own stressful thoughts.
Life and places
- Since 1986 she has introduced The Work to people around the world, at public events and also in corporations, universities, schools, churches and hospitals. 4
- According to her organisation's booklet of 2019, she has directed the School for The Work, a nine-day course offered several times a year, since 1998. 4
- Her organisation's mailing address, the Center for The Work, is in Ojai, California. 6
Public context
Works
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Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life
Book · 2002 · Harmony Books
Her main book on The Work: the four questions and the turnaround explained step by step, with many examples of her sessions with people on fear, health, relationships, money and the body.
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I Need Your Love - Is That True?
Book · 2005 · Harmony Books
Applies The Work to the search for love, approval and appreciation in relationships.
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A Thousand Names for Joy
Book · 2007 · Harmony Books
Her commentary on passages from the Tao Te Ching.
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A Mind at Home with Itself
Book · 2017
Her commentary on the Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist text.
The short summaries are ours.
In their own words
Short passages in the words of Byron Katie, each with its source. Where the quoted text is not in the language of this page, a translation follows and says whose it is.
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1. Is it true? (Yes or no. If no, move to question 3.) 2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true? (Yes or no.) 3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought? 4. Who or what would you be without the thought?
Judge-Your-Neighbor Worksheet · 'The four questions', p. 1 (revision of 15 January 2025) · thework.com -
The only time we suffer is when we believe a thought that argues with what is.
The Work of Byron Katie: An Introduction · Section 'What Is Is', p. 5 · thework.com -
I am a lover of what is, not because I’m a spiritual person, but because it hurts when I argue with reality.
The Work of Byron Katie: An Introduction · Section 'What Is Is', p. 6 · thework.com
Sources
- About The Work of Byron Katie · thework.com Her organisation's website; biography and press material accessed 10 Oct 2026
- Instruction · The Work of Byron Katie Her organisation's free instructions, partly in her own words accessed 10 Oct 2026
- Judge-Your-Neighbor Worksheet (revised 15 January 2025) · Byron Katie International Her organisation's free worksheet accessed 10 Oct 2026
- The Work of Byron Katie: An Introduction · Byron Katie International Free introductory booklet by her organisation, 2019, largely in her own words accessed 10 Oct 2026
- At Home with Byron Katie · thework.com Her organisation's event page with current dates accessed 10 Oct 2026
- Contact · thework.com Her organisation's contact page with postal address accessed 10 Oct 2026
- Loving What Is (Harmony Books, 2002) · Open Library Library catalogue record accessed 10 Oct 2026
Compiled by us from the sources listed. Last checked 11 Oct 2026.
This description is factual. It contains no recommendation, ranking or assurance. Statements about effects are those of the respective source.