Whenever you decide not to be a mere bystander of your own life you are bound to encounter the voice of the inner critic. This critic is an aspect of the ego. The ego fears change. Change equates to a loss of control and fuels a sense of instability and uncertainty. The ego is intolerant of anything that may compromise its sovereign rule. So the ego very skillfully plays upon your fears, insecurities, and feelings of inadequacy.  It manipulates you into compliancy by fostering anxiety, depression and even self destructive behavior. The critical voice is intended to dissuade you from pursuing the very initiatives that will foster awareness and spiritual growth. It abhors risk of any kind!

 The ego does not want to be eclipsed by the directives of the soul. It does not  want to lose command and will use every tactic at its disposal to weaken and undermine your relationship to your true Self.  To truth itself.  It will doing everything within its power to convince you that you are ill qualified to make independent choices in regard to your own life.  It will provide one example after another of your failed attempts to fulfill your dreams and aspirations.  In truth it is merely trying to protect you from the very learning experiences that will awaken and liberate you.  From the process of  Self realization.

Know that the critical voice in and of itself has absolutely no power!  The only power it has ever had is the power you have given it. That power is truth.  Whatever you believe to be true has power!  The critic isn’t the voice of truth, it is the voice of fear. And it’s source is the ego.  

In the Wizard of Oz, Oz rules as a result of presenting himself as a fearsome and unapproachable ruler.  His subjects believe that he is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, in essence God like.  They wouldn’t think of defying his rule out of fear of the consequences. Yet Dorothy and her entourage in their complete innocence discover that Oz is indeed just a scared old man hiding behind a curtain. He himself is lost and far from home.[ from his true nature] His fear led him to create a persona of greatness and power, an illusion to belie the truth of his mere mortal status. Oz represents the “ego self” masquerading as the Divine, the all powerful!  Once you awaken to the truth the ego can no longer pretend to be something that its not. Its reign is over.  This is the beginning of liberation.

So how do you begin to depose the charlatan and silence the inner critic?  Let me ask you this.  What do you do when a child is frightened?  Do you try to comfort and reassure them?  As the adult do you take the appropriate measures to assure their safety and well being?  When the critic surfaces approach it as you would a child who feels lost and afraid.  Be gentle and compassionate. Listen to its concerns. Nothing is ever one by force, don’t attempt to challenge or dispute its claims. You can very skillfully take the helm without confrontation or conflict.  By listening without judgement or quarrel you assume the position of authority it once held. Reassure it that it’s natural to feel lost and uncertain in times of transition. By observing it without prejudice or attachment you will lessen its ability to influence you. If you consistently refuse to give credence to this negative commentary it will eventually become ineffectual that is, it will have completely lost its power to manipulate and control your thoughts and behavior. 

Your true Self is awaiting the moment when you awaken.  When you surrender to the unknown. This very moment free yourself from the tirade of the ego, from the illusion of its control. Connect to the aspect of yourself that is fearless. This is your true nature. It is spontaneous and responsive to the ever changing phenomenon that is Life. It revels in the joy, beauty and grace inherent in what Is. Take the helm, dare to live the life you’ve imagined!

santidevi

All that you seek lies within. The great Indian mystic and yogi Vivekananda said, “Knowing God is the aim and goal of all human life.” To know ones Self is to know God. Only  Self  realization will bring an end to suffering. Only truth of your essential nature will bring liberation.  

Where do you begin?

Where you are.

There must first be the desire. You must have the desire to know who you are. Then you must be unfailingly devoted to realizing your essential nature.  It requires dedication and discipline. The discipline to stay the course even when it disappears beneath your feet, when the fear becomes a tempest and the collapse of the ego heralds your demise.  It requires nothing less then a resolve that cannot be deterred or defeated, a fearlessness born of faith.  

In other words you must become a warrior.  Single focused, noble in your cause and noble in your action.  Your quest will lead you to a humbling realm, a place where you will experience the inexplicable greatness of your being.  All your self importance will dissolve instantaneously.  The illusional separation will cease and you will know the truth.  All is One, One is All.  

santidevi