Thursday, September 25, 2025
Someone new to this practice might confuse the whispers of the Authentic Self with a voice in the head. The voice in the head is loud, pessimistic that never stops talking. If you can’t separate yourself from the chain of thoughts, if you unconsciously identify with that voice in your head, become more attentive. Learn to differentiate between the whispers of your inner guide and the critic’s voice. That voice is unproductive and harsh. However, the gentle nudges of your Authentic Self or the inner knowing are true, wise and unexpected.
When you focus on the breath, experience the presence of Awareness behind or in-between the breath, you will know the difference. The whispers of your Authentic Self are from the one who is your inner witness, who knows all about you and much more than you. This AS gives you freedom from your small, separate self also called ego. It seems like your ego self is in control but it can’t be if you don’t let it. In fact the Self that watches you all the time would love to guide you, only if you would listen to its whispers. When you love in the present you begin to recognize the whispers of your True Self.
Wherever you go, the present moment is with you. In that moment everything feels connected, as if whatever has happened, good or bad, has happened due to a reason. You surrender to each and every moment. You realize that you only know a fraction of the whole story. You realize you can never know the whole story. Because events and your thinking mind moves in sequence but the whole story is circular.
Each present moment is circular and you are its sacred center. The events and thinking move horizontally in a straight line. When you pay attention to here-now, you bring your awareness to your physical self and breath. This helps you ground yourself in the now. You are no longer lost in the moving contents of your mind but become settled in your inner sacred center. When you don’t identify with your thoughts you realize how much deeper you are than your floating thoughts. You realize that your separate self, the ego moves like the wave at the surface of an ocean. You are unaware that you, like the other waves are integral to the ocean with enormous depth. This depth is your vertical dimension.
From that deeper self you watch that you are constantly identifying with your thoughts. If they are good thoughts you feel good, if they are bad thoughts you feel bad. If you convince yourself that this is not me, these are my passing thoughts. If you tell yourself, “This too shall pass” your feelings will not fluctuate. You will remain at the center where True Self, also called Awareness, dwells. You will be at peace and experience joy and contentment.
Your True Self, your inner witness, your “I Am,” is not your passing thoughts. It is always right here, present and at peace. In it, you are “happy without any reason.” Peace does not come by trying to make sense out of the circumstances of your life. Allow life to be what it is, surrender to it, and peace and joy will prevail.
Jennifer D. Diamond
Good morning, Madhu! Wow, so many powerful take-aways from today’s post. I’ve written a few of your lines down in my notebook, including this one, “Each present moment is circular and you are its sacred center.” The handful of times where I experienced AS were “felt” and not heard. As you explain, the voice I hear in my thoughts is not my AS. To me, Authentic Self is FELT, sometimes as a weightlessness like there is no body, and other times as complete solidness like being one with the bedrock under me. Thank you so much for teaching me how to access these limitless Authentic Self experiences!
Madhu B. Wangu
Absolutely Jenn, the whispers of AS are “felt.” Thank you for underlining this point!
The common observation (or complaint) that you, Lorraine and Donna have expressed in the responses to Tuesday’s post how it is hard to find moments of silence and solitude. I’ve two suggestions: First, in the morning when your eyes pop open (after a restful sleep), stretch your body and with your arms on the sides of your torso, inhale from the soles of your feet and exhale from the top of your head–long and deep inhalations and exhalations. Do this five times. It won’t take more than two to three minutes of silence but will energize you for the day.
Second, just before going to sleep repeat the same breathing exercise you did in the morning followed by mentally scanning your whole day. Celebrate all the good things that happened, applaud for nice things you did.
Please do not regret or criticize yourself for something that didn’t go right. Be thankful for everything that happened. Grateful for yet another healthy day. This exercise too won’t take more than five to eight minutes but is worth your time.
These two breathing exercises will help you sleep well. In addition to your night reading practice these for a month and let me know how the regimen goes. Good Luck!
Lorraine
I have had moments (much more frequently in the last few years) where I know and feel the difference between the voices/chatter in my head – and the whispers of AS. I agree AS is a comfort ‘feeling’ a gentle guide or nudge or hug, not criticism and blabber. I’m getting comfortable with ‘me’ although I still don’t know where I’m meant to ‘go.’ I have writing and art, but not sure how either are meant to play in my future. For now, I do it out of love. We’ll see if a purpose appears (or if there needs to be a purpose?? I feel there should be one but ??)
As for your response on silence, I’ve been stretching for a few minutes before bed, then lying with my back on the floor and my legs/feet up on the wall (my body is in an L shape). I feel the rush of blood out of my legs and in my heart. I breathe and relax like that for 5 minutes while I reflect on my day — without judgement. It stretches my back and hips and calms my mind. I feel I am sleeping better after doing this. (But I’ve been sick/exhausted so that could be reason for better sleeping too)
I haven’t been reading at night and do miss it. I will add that back in. I’ve got a pile of books I’m excited to read. Thanks for the suggestions.
Madhu B. Wangu
Dear Lorraine,
Your ‘before bed stretches’ sound great. These must help you sleep better irrespective of other reasons.
The path of the journey we are on is the goal. You’re not meant to go anywhere. The peace, happiness and contentment is already within you. By doing whatever you’re doing–sitting still in silence, journaling, art, walking, meditation and other disciplines you are getting in touch with that part of you that is always peaceful. By not paying attention to unwholesome desires and wants, by not resisting what we have and by accepting your comfortable life as it is, is the best thing you can do to discover the peace and happiness within you. One of the best sentences in your comment is “I do it out of love.” That should be true with all ALL the things you do. What better purpose is there than doing the things we do for love!