5 Ways To Tune Into The Silent Whisper Of Your Soul
Learn how to tune out the noise of the mind and tap into the divine voice of your heart
A spiritual practice is not always the stereotypical beads, mantra and meditation which the world has become inundated with. Someone who has never picked up a holy book, taken a yoga class or lived in a Himalayan ashram can just as easily connect to a divine force.
An admission of guilt on my behalf. When I started to meditate in 2010, I had the most profound experiences. This ranged from pure bliss, to out of body travel, and this all happened very quickly after starting. I had no idea that these experiences are quite rare for beginners and began to tout meditation as the solution to the world’s problems. This experience taught me a lot, and I grew immensely in a very short period of time, however, there was a level of feeling superior that I was exuding.
It felt like I had cracked the code of life, and I erratically explained to everyone I came into contact with, that meditation was the answer. It was six months after this consistent high, that I crashed big time and I got my first taste of humble pie on the path to knowing myself.
Spirituality is not something external. It is not a practice, or a specific lifestyle. And while there are many ways you could define it, the way I understand it is- a connection to the higher self.
Characteristics of the lower self are:
- The sense of self. Your name, job title and all that you identify with relating to Earthly affairs.
- Our survival needs, such as food, water and shelter.
- Our desirous needs, including sexual desires and material pleasures.
- Our needs for recognition, power, social approval and control.
The higher self is related to:
- Unity or the thread which connects us all.
- Love in its unconditional form.
- Expression and creativity.
- Vision and psychic gifts, such as clairvoyance and intuition.
- The complete transcendence of the lower self.
You could call this the soul or when experienced at the highest levels transcendence, pure consciousness or God.
When we go into inner and outer worlds through our conscious effort, changes start to happen. Usually we experience heightened levels of emotions, which highlights our beauty, and also brings our shadows to the surface for healing.
This can be achieved through traditional practices including meditation, breathwork and yoga. It can also be achieved through connecting to the things you love.
There are many articles scattered across the web about the more traditional routes mention, and while I am an advocate and teacher of many of these techniques, I wanted to share the lesser known ways you can connect to your higher self.
Creation
Drawing, painting, or throwing pots made from clay on your potters wheel. The physical act of creating art has the ability to connect us with our soul and channel pure magic.
Art encourages our inner creative genius to pop out, it boosts our self esteem and the pure act of creation is a reward within itself that has a bonus piece of art waiting for us at the end.
This also gives us space to grow. I remember when I was a kid, I used to play video games. I was pretty good at them too, but whenever I started a new game it would feel as if I would never be able to master it. A few days later I would be a pro. The same is true for art. It gives you a chance to grow, and the more of a flow you find yourself in, the higher quality your work will become.
Art gives you a chance to be fully present and while you are in that moment nothing else matters. No future, no past, just now” This is what spiritual growth is all about!
Music
When we play or listen to music it evokes an emotional response within like nothing else. This is innately inbuilt into us. My daughter is 3 months old, and when she needs soothing, I will shake my rattle or play my drum while whistling. She loves it, and recognizes it as part of the natural rhythm of nature.
Shaman, Yogis and healers from all corners of the Earth, will use music to enter into an altered state of consciousness. Many of the Gods and Goddesses depicted in art are shown with different instruments. You have Shiva often portrayed with the drum, symbolizing the rhythm of the cosmos. Orpheus’s singing and playing of the lyre was so beautiful that the animals, trees and even rocks danced to his sounds.
When you really feel the music playing, you connect to a story that transcends the simplicity of human language. There is something taking place that brings you into the higher realms of existence.
If you happen to love music, it can be a lifelong companion as it is an infinite art, and there is always a new set of notes waiting to be discovered.
Writing
I love writing! However, being a full time writer does have its shadows. When things are flowing, it feels like God has come down from the heavens to help you perfectly craft each word. At other times it makes you want to throw your laptop out the window.
Writing for no particular reason can take the pressure off a little. Free writing is a soul extracting exercise, this is when you pick a certain amount of pages and write by hand in a continuous flow.
Journaling, self-therapy or writing your latest love interest a beautiful poem can all be extremely soul nourishing.
It is also nice to keep your notes, and look back on them from time to time. What was once an idea, often quickly becomes a reality, when we commit it to paper.
Movement
We were born to move, it is in our DNA. It doesn’t matter if you are 50 pounds or 500 pounds you have been hardwired to move daily. It is just finding the type of movement that tickles your taste buds.
If you have tried Zumba, running and a 12 month gym membership that you only used twice, fear not! Movement is far more exciting when you move in the way your soul wants you to.
Movement does not need to be intense, although it can be if that is what you enjoy. Walking and listening to the birds sing, while taking deep conscious breaths is great for connecting with the land and your higher self.
Taking the dog for a walk, joining a martial arts class or throwing on your favorite track while dancing in your underwear. These are all ways to get your juices flowing and move!
The benefits of exercise are abundant on a physical level, however, the emotional and spiritual benefits are just as extensive.
Doing Nothing
Maybe not an activity, but one of the best ways to get to know yourself is through stillness and silence. There is a silent whisper coming from your heart in every moment.
Can you hear it?
If not, try to find 10 minutes of complete stillness, somewhere beautiful! And simply listen to your higher self speak.
Thank you so much for reading. I like to use the magic of words to help people like yourself connect to your life purpose. If this sounds like something that excites you, join my free course called Words that Speak to the Soul here.
