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SOME TIPS FOR LISTENING INWARD...
1. Be still. Silence is the language Inspiration speaks. Beliefs and opinions are nothing but erroneous mistranslations of Truth. Spiritually speaking, our only mandate is to listen while Truth (Wisdom, God, Life, Love) awaits our awareness. Set aside all opinions and beliefs. An attitude of "I wonder what meaning this has for me?" sets our receptors free to hear. Make every effort to provide a peaceful, interruption-free environment, one akin to that provided for meditation.
2. Have no investments. If we think we already have an idea about the answer we seek, such an investment limits the real response from being discerned. Listening and awareness are hampered by our desire for what we think the viable options are, and by any expectations we may have. If we think an answer must conform to some predetermined form, we severely limit the options for Truth. Quite simply, we do not really know what is best for us, for our view of the world is "contaminated" by what we have learned from the outer world. To know and order our lives spiritually, we need only to accept and demonstrate what we discern from inner Source.
3. "Listen" with assurance. Intuition (inspiration, insight, enlightenment) is always with us. It's the exercise of "letting go" of outer influence when wanting to be aware that sets the still, small voice free. This infinite, eternal Source is always available--it is the Kingdom referred to in Scripture. Asking with the assurance that we already have all we need to discern Truth, and then getting out of our own way, sets the awareness of Truth free.
4. Truth abounds. Because we are One, the essence of Life (Truth, Wisdom) is found everywhere. Truth can come through someone else, both friends and enemies, from nature, books, music, even mundane work. Thus, being open to all sources, without prejudgment, is the key. The awareness of Truth comes about by showing up and listening in a disciplined way, or it can come from simply developing our innate ability to discern Truth from the inside out, no matter what we've given ourselves to. By carefully paying attention to what Life brings us, we can quickly learn to hear our inner resonance with Truth "heard" from any source. Inner resonance is the affirming and validating vibration that informs.
5. Accept the answer. The answer we receive through spiritual discernment may not be the one we thought we wanted, but it will be the right answer for us. The answers we need come to us only as we need them, and not all at once. Circumstances change, and thus answers also change to accommodate the new need to know. All we need is one at a time, just like our steps toward demonstrating the Truth we hear. We show that we accept the answer by acting on it. The answer called Truth is always a means of shifting from preconceived possibilities (perspective) to inner Truth (perception).
6. Only one Voice. The Source is always known to those who commit fully to discerning their innate Wisdom. When we truly give ourselves to the inward Voice, instead of all those voices that barrage us throughout the day, including our own collection of beliefs and opinions, we come to understand that there is only one true Voice, not many. And thus choice falls to the empowerment of Truth discerned.
7. If in doubt, keep listening. Fear, which shows it face in the likes of doubt, confusion and angst, is of our own making, and merely needs to be let go. We always know the Truth when we hear it, so when we continue to listen faithfully, Truth will show up precisely when and as we need it, fear notwithstanding. Whenever we feel doubt or confusion, it's a sure sign that our idea of the situation needs correction. As we listen inward for the Truth of the matter, the elements of fear disappear in a sense of inner peace, and the Truth is met with the assurance of, "Of course!" And we are instantly inspired to move forward.
8. Proceed if at peace. Intuition informs us in all kinds of ways, large and small. And its Wisdom brings us to peace. The more we practice listening for this inward Voice, the more frequently we are at peace when Truth is discerned. When at peace, surrender and demonstrate into your life what Wisdom has commanded of you. Feelings of fear can knock us off our spiritual center momentarily, but if we let go of the fear, the peace felt in Wisdom heard moves us forward with dispatch, giving spiritual order to Life.
9. Stay open to new potentialities. When desiring an answer to a momentary problem or circumstance, particularly in the early stages of developing our "discerning ear," we often stop prematurely at something that sounds familiar to what we may have answered ourselves. Bowing to such an answer severely limits the potentialities Truth has in store from being discerned and acted upon. However, once spiritual discernment is more fully established--when inner resonance with Truth is clear--the first response heard inwardly is the one to abide faithfully. Otherwise, it's all too easy to become confused by the ego's infusion of disbelief or doubt. Of course, those feelings are a sure clue that this is ego consciousness at play, and should be ignored.
10. Persist in daily devotion. Inner resonance is strengthened though regular practice. Much like devotion in any part of our lives, that part grows as a result. An inner sense of wanting to shift from how we now see the world to another way--one that brings peace rather than chaos into our daily experience--should be honored. Honoring such a spiritual "bump" or nudge is one way of accepting responsibility for our Life's calling. Setting aside some quiet time each day to connect with our inner Source pays handsome benefits. And even if we don't seem to get answers each time we do, simply showing up regularly is the discipline developed. Once we have a firm sense of spiritual flow, the calling or devotion to just show up broadens from sitting a few minutes a day with Source to the assurance that we are with Spirit, Truth, at all times and thus can hear Truth spoken all throughout each day. Such devotion becomes our stable staple of Truth discerned through unceasing prayer: listening without reserve.
* JY, inspired and partially adopted from, LISTENING, by Lee Coit.
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