May 2, 2014

ISIQ-0460

“Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others.” – Marian Wright Edelman

For some time now, I’ve followed the work of Louise L. Hay. She is, I guess, a self-help practitioner – but with a particular emphasis on the power of the mind to heal the body. Her background includes using a series of therapies, including visualisation and affirmations, to completely cure herself of an enormous cancerous tumour. Remarkable stuff.

Anyway, in one of her presentations about drawing upon the divine within ourselves, she explains a process she uses for creativity, or for insight. She will let herself be quiet and still, and simply ask: “What do I need to have revealed to me?” or “What do I need to know today?” and then patiently wait for whatever her subconscious brings up for her. You ought to try this practice – it’s quite amazing.

This is notable especially because of the need to “be quiet and still” for this practice. Most of you who know me know that I have a fairly big, extroverted personality. I get louder and louder the more passionate I become, and I don’t mind being in the spotlight. When I’m at my best, I’m naturally a vocal person. (Wonder where my not-shy, not-retiring daughter gets it from?!) Like most people (I imagine), in my more sad or depressed moments, I just want to hide and stay away from the world – but even then, my mouth might be quiet, but my mind isn’t.

The point here is that I think being our best requires mental and physical quiet, on a regular basis. We need to find ways of cutting ourselves free from the noisy clutter of today’s society, so we can learn to be still and quiet. Once we’re there, the divine inspiration within us all will be able to speak clearly – yet softly – to guide us and help us on our way.

It’s one of my most anticipated parts of our trip around Australia – the forced quiet that will come from being out of cellphone range, disconnected from social media, and away from the hustle of city life. It will force me to be still and quiet, by taking away all the “oooh, shiny!” stimuli I face every day.

I mentioned at the start about Louise L. Hay’s “What do I need to know today?” question – my answer from within my subconscious, at around 5am this morning when I woke, was simply the word “Quiet.” It shaped everything about this IQ and will hopefully shape my day.

Today’s takeaway for you? Carve out some “quiet time” for yourself, as often as possible. You may even call it “meditation”. I’m going to make a concerted effort to do the same, every day. My subconscious told me so.

With love,
Israel. xo

 

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}