When the world feels crazy and overwhelming, it’s comforting to remember there is another realm available to retreat to – your inner self. Your inner world is a refuge in which you can feel more in control and grounded.
But how often to do we listen to our inner voice? The vast majority of people avoid going within themselves – as it can be uncomfortable and we may be afraid of what might come up. Hence, there’s a tendency to shy away from opportunities for silence and boredom, opting instead for distractions. (How often do you find yourself scrolling through your phone to fill gaps in your day?)
However, I’m here to tell you there are rewards for looking within yourself and listening to your inner voice.
Listening to and trusting your inner voice is the most powerful thing you can do right now.
Getting clear on who you are, what your values are, what your purpose is, and the inspired action you can take, makes you see the outer world more clearly.
Knowing your inner voice also helps you understand your role in this world and even uncover how you have contributed to some of the overwhelm “out there” – so you can take responsibility for your thoughts and actions. (Read this blog entry to understand more about that.)
How do you access your inner voice?
A good starting point is to quieten down and sit in stillness. There’s a saying: The heart whispers and the mind screams. By quietening the loudness of your mind and the outer world, you allow yourself the opportunity to listen to those whispers of your heart.
Your mind will continue to scream when you sit in a place of quiet and stillness. Thoughts will come – worries and concerns of the day, To Do lists or trivial things to capture your attention.
Therefore, it helps if you can find a way to anchor yourself as you sit in stillness, such as focusing on your breathing. Anchors such as breathing are helpful as when thoughts arise (and they will), you can bring your awareness back to your breath and find that still place once more.
Then, from the stillness, notice the whispers of your heart
Your inner voice is your higher self talking. And it’s readily accessible when you open yourself to activities that tune into your higher self – such as quietening down in stillness, being playful, or connecting with nature.
From this place, you will know how and when you receive your inner voice. You may hear something from within – a deeper knowing or intuition.
However, your inner voice may also talk to you in other synchronistic ways. You might see visions flash up in your mind’s eye. You might receive an inspired idea. You may be compelled to write something down or keep a journal. You might be inspired to pluck a particular book from a shelf and find it gives you the exact message you need to receive. You may see or hear a phrase over and over again. Someone might say something to you, and you have a bingo moment inside.
With regular practice, your inner voice can help you uncover your unique purpose, the values that you want to live and be known by, and inspire action to bring unity and connection back to your inner and outer life.
So, the next time you feel something in the outer world that throws you off-kilter, remember there’s another world you can enter – the one within – the one you have control over – to bring you back to a place of stability, truth, peace and knowing.
Important to note: Sometimes we need extra help to process and move through the concerns of what we experience in the world or read in the news. If you are feeling overwhelmed and in need of urgent support, consider reaching out to trusted organisations such as Beyond Blue and Lifeline who are there to help.
Sign up for our newsletter
FREE Connection content straight to your inbox
Let's connect
Are we friends on social media, yet? Use the buttons below to connect.
Connection Compass acknowledges the Turrbal and Jagara people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, live, and gather. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and draw inspiration from their connection to Country, community and spirit.
© Connection Compass 2024 - All rights reserved.