My first book on the process of the Work, “Awakening From Fear’, was released in June 2020 on Apple Books. The reviews have been very positive so far, and the book is now finally available as a paperback or ebook on Amazon!
You can buy “Awakening From Fear” on Amazon here!
What is it about??
Do we really need fear to motivate ourselves and keep ourselves safe?
The greatest attachment to fear happens because we’re AFRAID that without it, we wouldn’t survive. Without fear, our ancestors wouldn’t have run away from the wolves. Without fear, I would touch a poisonous snake. Without fear, my kids would fall to their death, touch the hot stove, be kidnapped, abused, and even killed by passing strangers. Without fear, I’d walk out onto the road and get driven over. Without fear, I wouldn’t be motivated to act to create a better world.
And can you know that this is true?
When we inquire into our fear-based concepts, such as the ones above and thousands of others, we come face to face with what happens when we experience fear. Question 3 guides us – sometimes gently and other times quite shockingly revealing – into the experience of fear as it happens at that moment. As we meditate on the question “What happens, how do I react, when I believe this thought?”, we allow the emotions and physical sensations their time, and we get to know them intimately. Being held in the safe container of The Work we journey within the thousandfold stories of human fear. We start to see how it all connects, how one assumption leads to the next and the next, we slow the process down and really really look at it.
Thoughts building our belief system in any given situation normally happen much faster than the speed of light. You open your eyes and WHAM! It’s all there. Human being bedroom house family pets village earth gravity light air – one solid block of reality.
The same happens with fear.
You can buy “Awakening From Fear” on Amazon here!
“Excellent read! Stef has wisdom beyond her age. She can help guide you through these troubled times. By doing The Work you can truly live on the other side of fear, finding your inner power, peace and happiness. The book has many examples of how you can do the Work for yourself and as she says, “Be alive right now. Every moment we live is unique.”
Marion Winisky RN, MA
Awakening From Fear was a powerful process for me…
I absolutely, passionately adore the process of Inquiry. It allows me to safely dive into any threatening belief or story I might hold, and emerge a clearer human being, with less fear. Over the 2 years of writing this book, I have questioned a lot of fear-based concepts. I’ve come to understand more clearly how anger and hate always have fear at their source. In understanding, I have grown in compassion and empathy. In Inquiry, I find access to my Being beyond the identified ‘I’. I bring its wisdom back into my life. That path is available for everyone willing to question their thinking.
Awakening From Fear is a collection of personal inquiries that inform my view of this beautiful world.
I’m not asking you to believe what I say. Inquiry isn’t about exchanging one belief system for another. The power of inquiry lies in relinquishing belief systems that hold us hostage often without us even realizing it in exchange for inner freedom and clarity. With this book, I’m sharing my journey in the hope that it might inspire you to start investigating the truths behind your fears.
My journey can’t set you free. Only you can.
With a process like Inquiry in your toolbox, you actually can.
My next book “Zen for Vet Med – The Missing Link” will be available in November 2024.
You can sign up for an early preview now and get your free copy in return for writing a review!
“Mental Shifts for Veterinarians” is a collection of transcripts of veterinarians questioning their stressful stories about life, whether it be kids, partners, society, or work-related. Using the process of Inquiry, these men and women find that they can significantly lessen their stress by investigating their thinking. They come away empowered and with new ideas on how to proceed.
The process used to inquire into each person’s thinking and beliefs is the Work of Byron Katie. This process is simple yet very powerful and effective; it is the quintessence of out-of-the-box thinking. Anyone can learn and apply this process on their own. I have explained how to use it in between the individual examples.
It is my hope that this book will inspire you to use the Work described here to begin turning your life around and experience a higher degree of inner peace and joy.
As more Veterinarians begin to take charge of their lives in ways that benefit them, their family, and their colleagues and patients, we will begin to see a shift in the culture of Veterinary Medicine to become a profession that supports not only the animals but also its people.
Sign up to be notified for early previews!
More reviews for “Awakening From Fear”:
Work through the fear
“Awakening From Fear” is an excellent book to help anyone (spiritually inclined or otherwise, like me) to face their fears and explore their origins as a way to move past them. [Stef Skupin] explains that by facing these fears, we can work towards happiness and peace. It’s an easy read with efficient advice on moving past worries that may be holding us back. This book would be fantastic for anyone feeling overwhelmed and wanting to reconnect with their true passions. [Stef] does this through inquiry and explains Byron Katie’s “The Work” process. She also makes a clear distinction that fearless living is not the same as living in courage. It’s more so working through the fear so that it doesn’t exist in our lives anymore.
Robbie Samuels
I enjoyed the author’s voice and writing style! Awakening From Fear is an approachable and friendly book. [Stef Skupin] has a clear voice. I found this book useful and inspiring. It did give me a different perspective on phobias and was enlightening in other areas as well. I’m very likely to recommend it to others.
Dr LaVonne Hammelman, DMD
