Our inner voice offers guidance in a clear and concise manner, often through the use of metaphorical language. Our inner voice will not communicate with us in words, but in feelings. It is not uncommon to hear individuals describe their intuitive sense as a “gut feeling”, “hunch”, or “instinct”. To hear that voice, we must develop a method of accessing the language of the soul within, which is striving to guide us through our lives. Many of us have experienced moments of intuitive insight, and sometimes we act on these insights and achieve positive outcomes. At other times, we do not, and in retrospect, we recognize that greater attention to these insights could have led to better results.
The issue is that there are numerous factors that impede our ability to hear that inner voice. We are exposed to a multitude of external influences throughout the day, including television, social media, images, sound bites, and the concerns of others and ourselves. The question, then, is how we can embark on an inner journey to locate our inner voice, this inner world within us. There is a fairy tale that is widely known and appreciated across many cultures. It is the story of Sleeping Beauty. The princess, representing the state of being asleep or focused on the physical self, is lying in a glass box in the middle of a thorny jungle.
It requires a high level of consciousness to navigate the challenges of this jungle and reach the desired outcome. In this case, the prince’s actions awaken the subject from a deep sleep, symbolizing the awakening of the subject’s potential. He kisses her gently on the forehead, which is symbolically the seat of the soul and the seat of all spiritual understanding. The narrative depicts an arduous spiritual quest to discern one’s authentic self, the soul within, through navigating the labyrinth of illusions and misdirection. The false belief that the self is merely a physical entity confines us to a state of unconsciousness, preventing us from accessing our inner voice and true understanding. We are all engaged in the process of awakening the dormant potential within.
How might we improve our listening skills? What are the methods by which the sleeping beauty transmits information?
1. Firstly, feelings are an initial indicator of internal processes. It is essential to address these feelings as they represent the initial challenge to be overcome. It is common practice to ignore these feelings or to pretend that they do not exist. We enter a state of denial. As an alternative, we may attempt to distract ourselves with activities such as retail therapy, with the aim of improving our overall level of happiness. The feelings are indicating that the situation is not optimal, but we are reluctant to acknowledge this. The initial step is to become aware of our feelings. One method for achieving this is through journaling. This is an effective method for examining one’s emotions.
2. Secondly, it is important to be aware of the thoughts that are running through your mind. A significant number of individuals are not fully aware of their own thought processes. The rapidity with which thoughts emerge and dissipate leaves little opportunity for their observation. In meditation, we practice becoming the observer and noticing our thoughts by slowing the thinking process sufficiently so that we are aware of every thought we are having. Does this thought facilitate closer alignment with my inner self, or does it create a further disconnect?
3. At this point, we reach the inner self and the true identity within—the essence of our being, the essence of our soul. We are now in a position to listen. What is the objective of the message? When we pay attention and implement the necessary changes to facilitate the inner voice, we begin to observe tangible changes in our lives.
Once we have identified and embraced our inner strengths, we can then begin to hear the input of others more clearly. By creating an inner space and setting aside time for silence, I have become aware of the divine speaking to me as well. An effective communication system has been established between my own inner voice and that of the Divine.
In today’s fast-paced world, where we are constantly exposed to a multitude of messages from various sources, the ability to access reliable inner guidance becomes increasingly crucial. In the event of an emergency, it is crucial to identify the source of guidance. It is therefore important to create an environment conducive to this dialogue between my inner self, which is characterised by peace, love and light, and the voice of the divine. This divine conversation will provide insights that enhance my decision-making and clarify my life’s purpose.
I always try to listen to my inner little voice, especially when it is telling me to be careful!