Bestselling spiritual teacher Byron Katie brings her method of self-inquiry known as "The Work" to children with the help of award-winning illustrator Hans Wilhelm. For those not familiar with Katie's Loving What Is, here are four questions she asks us to use when evaluating a thought:
1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought? and
Turn the thought around to its opposites, and identify at least three specific, genuine examples of how each turnaround is true.
In the classic folktale Chicken Little, Henny Penny feels a smack on her head and immediately concludes that the sky is falling. Her friend Cocky Locky asks her if that is true. Ducky Lucky jumps in with "Can you absolutely know that it's true that the sky is falling?" Goosey Loosey tries to help her decide by suggesting she describe how she is feeling. Turkey Lurkey asks her, "Who would you be without the thought that the sky is falling, even though you have a bump on your head."
Once Henny Penny answers all these questions, she feels like a different chicken. But Foxy Loxy complicates matters by asking her why having the sky fall could be a good thing. When she answers brilliantly, the sly fox invites the chicken, rooster, duck, goose, and turkey to his house for lunch. But fortunately, Henny Penny now knows good questions to ask before they go!
In a note to parents at the end of the book, Byron Katie explains that The Work is "a way to identify and question the thoughts that cause all the fear and unhappiness in your child's life. It's a way to find peace in your life as well." This book is a creative way of making this spiritual practice accessible to all ages.
