We all have an inner voice. Our inner voice recognizes what is best for us. You may call it gut instinct. You may call it intuition. You may call it higher self. For some this voice is loud and clear and works like a wise guide. Some can hardly hear it…

When we don’t listen to our inner voice, we look outside ourselves for guidance and approval. This leads us to a constant race to do, have, or be all the “right” things, so other will accept us. Often this icon is not who we really are and we end up unhappy blaming others for our unhappiness.

Why can’t I listen my inner voice?

Most of us want desperately to hear it but cannot because of the constant meaningless chatter inside our head. Modern lifestyle, social “must” and rules quiet this voice and replace it with a stressful babble. Do this! No, do that! Don’t do anything at all! Just do what everyone else is doing or what they tell you to do! Thoughts of fear, hate and disappointment create a dark background noise that covers our inner voice.

How can I tell I’m disconnected from my inner voice?

If feelings like frustration, unhappiness, guilt, discontent are your daily mood, then you probably need to make a turn within you and discover the voice that has been there all along.  It may sound easy but this requires hard work patience and persistence. Current edification doesn’t teach us to hear and consult this inner voice. Shutting down the endless gab is what we need to do. This often requires just slowing down long enough and paying attention.

What can I do?

There is work to be done. It’s like if you’re training a new muscle. It won’t happen overnight.
Practice daily:
– Present moment awareness
– Meditate
– Observe and question your thoughts. This will help you understand what lies beneath your daily decisions and behaviors. Soon you’ll be able to recognize which thoughts are inspired and which ones are influenced by others.
– Listen to your body. Often going against our inner voice is reflected to body discomfort

An old Cherokee told his grandson, “My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and truth.”
The boy thought about it, and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf wins?”
The old man replied, “The one you feed.”

chopra Why You Should Listen to Your Inner Voice
yogajournal Do You Seek Others’ Approval More Than Your Own? 10 Questions to Test Your Integrity
psychologytoday Listening To Your Inner Voice

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