Tagged: inner voice
Dishonesty is the only illusion
In my “career” as a “seeker” I have been involved in many paths to search “something” such as : Peace, happiness, purpose, heaven, God and the list goes on.
The above “spiritual search” is driven by the same “I’ which is looking for something different in the “mundane” such as: Wealth, power, fame, beauty, possessions, etc.
Do we see that the “driving force” is the same?
It is the “I.” Even when we say: “I am peace.”
The “I” lingers there in the background for identity. The word “I” is not “bad.” If we use it by feeling part of the Totality, then it is inclusive rather than the exclusive use that we typically give: Separation.
If I have to put everything I have learned so far in a word or phrase, that could be honesty with myself.
Why should I believe in something that I don’t feel?
Why should I believe is something that everyone else “sees as true”?
In that realization, I will honor my own perceptions.
It may be an illusion, but I want to find out by myself. Learning is included in that experience and with that a new consciousness.
Change in consciousness, does not come by accepting someone else’s explanations about life, what is good or bad. It comes through an experience that life may be offering but many times, we are not willing to open the door and experience the teaching.
For example, meeting someone for a life partnership may be desirable, but If our feelings do not agree with that, even though that experience may be desirable or “good” or any label, then that experience may not be for us yet. There is something inside which we may call “consciousness, guardian angel, superego, etc.” which could be our own measure of inner honesty.
It may be different for someone else.
The obstacle is that many times, that “guardian angel” may be surrounded by many voices inside ourselves, which are fighting for supremacy: Emotions, ego, beliefs, taboos, etc.
When we see the above, we could realize the need to “heal” from all those voices, which are not allowing us to hear that “inner feeling.”
That is what I may label, “honoring our role in life.”
Another example?
If I observe that to experience death is part of living, then why should I be dishonest with myself by believing things or doing things, which are not what I feel?
Granted. Many times it is about a compromise with “others” who may be experiencing another perception of “reality” of life, but the bottom line in my finding so far, is to still hear that inner feeling when the inner chatter and reasoning are gone.
Living life with joy, is related with learning to listen to that silent voice of destiny. The turmoil is “outside,” pushing into different directions. We could call those: Traditions, cultural and religious beliefs, emotional traumas, hang ups, etc. To respect those means not rejecting them but at the same time to hear our own pristine calling in life.
To allow life (God) to take us where we are meant to be, by listening to that inner voice; could be the greatest degree of honesty there is.
In that utmost honesty, there cannot be room for an illusion.
Propelling yourself forward in life
Early in the morning, Ananda went for a walk to a “daily doses of appreciation. “ He went near a river to just look at Nature.
As feelings of gratitude were arising, Ananda felt part of it. It was the whole experience of appreciating natural beauty, to hear the sounds made by different animals, to hear the voice of the wind, as well as to enjoy the natural “aromatherapy” of being surrounded by trees and plants. The Sun was just coming out as a bright spectator, reflecting its nourishing light into the quiet vastness of the river.
While Ananda was enjoying the morning sitting by the grassy area near the river, a rowing boat appeared. First it was just one person, then a few minutes later another rower and 2 minutes after that, a rowing crew appeared with a person sitting at the end of the boat (coxswain) screaming commands through a loudspeaker: “Come on, go, go”…needless to say, that “noise” disturbed the harmonious balance of the whole experience. Nature produces harmonious sounds. Human beings, most of the time; noises… depending on your tolerance for higher decibels…and the “location” of your consciousness… 🙂
Rowing is a fantastic exercise. Very complete, and if we observe carefully the way the boat is propelled through the action of the oar blades, we could understand one of the most significant life teachings: The past is the way that life has to propel you forward, BUT as long as your attention is in the moment and not in the past or future.
A rower uses his own power to propel himself forward through the paddles (oar blades) of experiences. Every stroke is complete. The rower will breath in and out through each stroke, there is a beginning of an experience and the end of it.
It is very human to hold on to those experiences through the mind, but the rower rowing in the river of life, has a new experience arising and he needs to be able to push the past to propel himself forward… When something which is old goes away then newness appears; otherwise, it is the “same old thing.”
When this exercise is done harmoniously, the rower could last rhythmically for a long time . When rowing is done without proper posture because of being overwhelmed through all the mental worries from the past, then injuries will happen, that is suffering will be experienced in life.
Many times we have our own “coxswain” screaming at us. We call that our “little inner voice.”
We just need to remember that a “good” coxswain is there to remind us to coordinate the power and rhythm of our stroke. The coxswain is not there to remind us of our mistakes or how “good or bad” we are due to some action from the past.
Harmony, rhythm, balance, elegance. Those are the components to move forward through life in “style!”
Detached observer from the “little guy.”
Throughout these writings we have seen examples from the avyakt murlis about the importance of being a “detached observer,” to experience soul consciousness. That to me is the first requisite to understand spirituality.
“Remembering Baba” is truly way more than remembering a point of light or Brahma Baba’s face and “visualizing” (meaning imagining) “elevated things to think about.”
The former is “good.” It is right. It is what it is. Nevertheless here, we are going into the exploration of the “depth” of Brahma Kumaris Gyan, which means to understand those teachings from avyakt Murlis.
BapDada has made clear that to have “all relationships with the Father” is the same as being a “detached observer.” BapDada has made clear that to remember the Father, we need to be a detached observer, etc.
That is the importance.
It is to be a “detached observer” to “think” about being a detached observer? Or to “act” like a detached observer?
Let us explore a bit:
Observe the self and you will find out that there are many thoughts. Everyone knows that. We can even recognize “waste” thoughts and “necessary” thoughts. That is great material for the first class of Raja Yoga! However, most of those thoughts become an issue to us, a problem, suffering; when those thoughts are “verbalized.”
That means when we hear this “little guy” (inner voice) talking to us and making up the most unbelievable stories about certain things which have happened either in the past or that will happen in the future. That “little guy” is indeed very powerful, for whatever “script” the “little guy” comes up with; we will believe it. Then, we will feel it and our body will react through emotions which eventually will come back to us as dis-eases if those emotions continue to run loose “unchecked.”
As long as the self is identified, meaning as long as “I” the soul believe in whatever this “little guy” comes up with, I will not be able to be a detached observer. If “I” identify with that story… then… you know what happens…
That is the number 1 challenge to be aware of in the path of becoming a detached observer.
Why?
Because to be a detached observer starts by being detached from my perceived own story. That is from that little story coming from the “little guy.” 🙂
Moreover, somehow that “little guy” has learned our own language. That “little guy” is capable of talking with us. Doesn’t that seem weird? I mean, why on Earth, “I” will need to talk to “myself” to let “me” be understood? 🙂 Am “I” that “I” or perhaps “me” or maybe “myself”?
This little “logical” riddle will make us see that we have all these different personalities in the self talking to us. Is that “normal” ? Yes, it is. It is that “sane.” 🙂 I hope you are saying “no.”
If we are able to have non- verbalized communication with us, then that “little guy” will be out of work.
This is very important, for “I” am bringing my past into this present every time I think about it, which most of the time brings some sort of “talk” by the “little guy.”
When you are by yourself, you could try to sit or eat and look how that “little guy” comes up with stories. I you are detached from those stories, then you are becoming a detached observer. If you are able to eat and sit there without hearing that “little guy” then you will be in “peace.” 🙂
That is the beginning of the experience of inner silence.
As an aside, today I took my car to the mechanic. Simple oil change and tire rotation. However, they found something else which was going to be a bit steep to pay…but there is a recall on the make and year of my car, so the automaker company maybe able to pay… You know the “script” from the mechanic- “I have “Good” news and “Bad” news for you… I will start with…” as I was hearing the story, I checked myself to see if the “little guy” would come up. He didn’t but some emotions came up which tensed my body in such a way as I started doing things “quickly,” rather than rhythmically by being aware of my movements. I wasn’t in complete balance anymore until I recognized that sensation… then I breathed in and out, centered and resumed life. Now, the Drama will dictate what is next, but I will be watching for that “little guy” and his stories as well as my own reactions to “life stories”… that is, I am beginning to “awaken”… Isn’t that nice? 🙂
Exploring the Depth of Living 