Byron Katie - Tiger-Tiger, Is It True?: Four Questions to Make You Smile Again

Copyright 2009 by Byron Kathleen Mitchell and Hans Wilhelm

Published and distributed in the United States by: Hay House, Inc.: www.hayhouse.com Published and distributed in Australia by: Hay House Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.hayhouse.com.au Published and distributed in the United Kingdom by: Hay House UK, Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.uk Published and distributed in the Republic of South Africa by: Hay House SA (Pty), Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.za Distributed in Canada by: Raincoast: www.raincoast.com Published in India by: Hay House Publishers India: www.hayhouse.co.in

Design: Amy Gingery Illustrations: Hans Wilhelm

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private useother than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews without prior written permission of the publisher. The intent of the authors is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the authors and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2009924000

ISBN: 978-1-4019-2560-4
Digital ISBN: 978-1-4019-2680-9

14 13 12 11 6 5 4 3
1st edition, November 2009
3rd edition, February 2011

Printed in China

Content

I am delighted that you have opened this book about my little friend Tiger-Tiger and his problems. Freedom is always just a question away.

The Work, which forms the basis of this story, is a way to identify and question the thoughts that cause all the suffering in the world. It is a way to find peace with yourself and with the world. The old, the young, the sick, the well, the educated, the uneducatedanyone with an open mind can do this Work.

Those of you who are interested in learning how to do The Work, yourselves or with your children, will find everything you need to know in my book Loving What Is, or on my Website: www.thework.com.

Since the beginning of time, people have been trying to change the world so that they can be happy. This hasnt ever worked, because it approaches the problem backward. What The Work gives us is a way to change the projectormindrather than the projected. Its like when theres a piece of lint on a projectors lens. We think theres a flaw on the screen, and we try to change this person and that person, whomever the flaw appears to be on next. But its futile to try to change the projected images. Once we realize where the lint is, we can clear the lens itself. This is the end of suffering, and the beginning of a little joy in paradise.

The Four Questions and Turnaround

1. Is it true?
   
2. Can you absolutely know that its true?
   
3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
   
4. Who would you be without the thought?
   

and

Turn it around, then find at least three specific, genuine examples of how the turnaround is true in your life.

Now lets see what happens to Tiger-Tiger.

Katie

O ne morning, Tiger-Tiger got out of bed on the wrong side. Drat! he said. Its going to be one of those days.

And he was right.

At breakfast he heard his parents arguing again.

They paid no attention to him. It was like he wasnt even there.

I might as well be a ghost, he thought.

At school, Tiger-Tiger was picked last at games.

It hurt his feelings.

He felt awful.

After school, his best friend decided to play with Zebra.

Tiger-Tiger felt rotten, as rotten as can be.

Everything

was

terrible.

Nobody cares, and nobody likes me.

Tiger-Tiger felt angry tears welling up in his eyes.

Suddenly there was a ripple in the water.

It was Turtle.

Whats up? Turtle asked.

Nothing, said Tiger-Tiger.

Well, if nothing can make you cry, tell me more about this nothing. It must be very powerful.

Its just that nobody cares, Tiger-Tiger sobbed. Nobody likes me.
Nobody cares if Im around or not. Life is so unfair.

Hmm, said Turtle. You say that nobody cares about you and nobody likes you. Is that true? Are you sure?

Yes, said Tiger-Tiger. My parents dont even know Im around. Nobody likes me at school, and now my best friend is playing with Zebra!

That sounds pretty bad, Turtle said. But can you absolutely know its true that there is nobody in the whole wide world who cares about you or likes you?

Tiger-Tiger thought about it and realized that he couldnt be absolutely sure. No, I cant. Not really, he said.

So its not true that Nobody cares about you or likes you. Right? asked Turtle.

How does it feel inside you when you believe the thought that nobody cares and nobody likes you?

I feel bad, lonely, and rotten, said Tiger-Tiger. It makes me really sad.

That must feel terrible, said Turtle. Isnt it amazing what a little thought can do to you?

Now, how does it feel if you are not thinking the thought that nobody cares and nobody likes you? Who would you be if you could never believe that thought again?

Tiger-Tigers eyes brightened. I would be a happy tiger! I would feel great! I could do anything, and nothing would bother me!

Tiger-Tiger paused for a moment. Thats amazing! he said. So its not my parents or my friends who bug me. Its just my thinking about them that makes me mad. WOW! Thats cool. Thats really cool.

You got it! said Turtle. Its your thinking. Now lets try something different. You think that nobody cares, and nobody likes you. Can you turn this thought around? I mean, can you find the opposite?

Tiger-Tiger thought for a moment. Like, Some body cares and likes me?

Yes, said Turtle. Could that be true? Can you think of three examples of how your parents have shown you that they like you?