Have you ever read the book Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie? In the book, Katie lays out four questions that she says help people alleviate mental suffering and anguish, improve relationships and truly see reality as it is.

Many people swear by this method of inner inquiry, which Katie calls “The Work.” I find it interesting, though, that an alternate technique that Katie admits renders her method unnecessary is buried at the end of the book.

In a section called “Questions and Answers” (which starts on page 289 of the paperback edition), Katie tackles a question about G-d. She writes:

G-d, as I use that word, is another name for what is. I always know God’s intention: It’s exactly what is in every moment. I don’t have to question it anymore. I’m no longer meddling in G-d’s business. It’s simple. And from that basis, it’s clear that everything is perfect. The last truth – I call it the last judgement – is “G-d is everything, G-d is good.” People who really understand this don’t need inquiry. Ultimately, of course, even this isn’t true. But if it works for you, I say keep it and have a wonderful life (page 302, paperback edition).

Katie added the line about the belief not being true, because for her, nothing is true – everything must be questioned. But she realizes that those who truly believe in a divine plan are often at peace.

I’ve written previously about how social scientists commonly find religious people  to be happier generally than their secular counterparts. There are several reasons for this: the communal bonding, a robust sense of purpose, the uplifting nature of being charitable and doing good deeds, etc.

But one of the main reasons many religious people tend to be happy is because they believe that G-d controls the world, and thus the things that happen to them are for the best. This level of faith, or “emuna” (as it is called in Hebrew), is a powerful way to live, especially when one is facing what seems like serious hardship.

As Rabbi Shalom Arush writes in the conclusion of his mussar classic, The Garden of Emuna:

As we strengthen our cognizance that HaShem runs the universe, does everything for our ultimate good, and has a specific purpose in everything He does, namely, to assist us to correct our souls and to cling to Him, we find ourselves happier and more successful in everything we do (page 287).

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always get to that exalted level. But when I do, I am happier…

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