The Inner Voice Versus the Melody of the World
For a sample morsel of curiosity and wonder, I bring you the sound of birds in the forest and the idea that you sometimes can’t even hear them because of the constant narration that goes on in the mind.
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Good afternoon, traveler. This is Jen from the Strawberry Field, coming to you from the great outdoors. I'm taking my dog for a walk in the forest that's only a stones throw away from my home. I want you to take a moment and listen to the bird song. It's remarkable, isn't it? And so the strawberry thought I want to leave you with today is a simple one. When is your inner voice quiet enough for you to hear the outer world? Our inner voices sometimes have a constant monologue, thoughts, wishes, plans, regrets. But imagine if you could make your inner voice so quiet and still, you could truly appreciate the outer and simply be in the moment. That's my strawberry thought for you. Just notice where and how loud is your inner voice and could you quiet it enough once in a while for you to really enjoy the outer world? Best wishes on your journey with love from Jen.
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Choose an activity that you typically do while listening to music or a podcast. For example, cleaning, exercising, hanging out.
Do that activity in silence. Pay attention to what sounds you hear. What is happening out there?
See what thoughts come up. What is your inner voice saying?
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How did it feel to go without music, a podcast, or other audio stimulation? (Perhaps you felt you were wasting valuable time you could have spent learning something? Perhaps you felt amazed by the sound of the neighbour practicing his violin?)
What did you notice about your inner voice? What kind of thoughts arose? How did you react to those thoughts?
