The book The Untethered Soul changed my life – yet again. I re-read it this past month to prepare for discussion with my Reiki Master group of students. It’s deep – it takes more time that you think to read it, really take it in and then let it influence your life. But it’s worth every single word.
The author Michael Singer talks about the inner voice – the voice that chatters on and on incessantly…analyzing, labeling and judging every single aspect of our day. I honestly thought I was keenly aware of this ‘voice’ – but not to the extent I needed to be. This voice that categorizes and provides a running commentary all day is doing this: trying to keep you safe. It is interesting how we are always trying to feel safe.
Why is this? Why do we strategize and shape our day with ways to feel safe? This need for safety even extends so far as to affect every single relationship and aspect of our lives – and not in the best possible way. The need for safety can keep us from fully stepping into our lives; our personal power, and our path.
Singer shares this: ‘Let’s look at the inner show. You have an underlying pattern of thoughts that goes on around you all the time. This pattern of thoughts stays pretty much the same. You are as familiar and comfortable with your normal thoughts as you are with the living space of your home. You also have emotions that are your norm: a certain amount of fear, a certain amount of love, and a certain amount of insecurity. You know that if certain things happen one or more of your emotions will flare up and dominate your awareness. Then, eventually, they will settle back down to the norm. You know those so well that you are very busy inside making sure nothing happens to create disturbances. In fact, you are so preoccupied with controlling your world of thoughts, emotions and physical sensations that you don’t even know you’re in there. This is the state for most people.”
When we begin to pay attention and notice this voice and this need for safety we can begin to start the process of letting go. It may even feel worse for awhile when we start to pay attention.
I don’t want to spoil the book by sharing too much with you here. I do highly recommend picking it up. The wisdom in the book is helping me stay very present to how and why I might be making choices and decisions to keep myself safe instead of experiencing life. And I simply had to share this with you!
We deserve to live a life untethered from the constraints and limits of our repetitive thoughts, emotions and actions. We deserve to let go of the fears that limit us in so much of what we do in our daily lives.
I find this quote from poet Pablo Neruda inspiring, refreshing and so in line with how our lives can truly be untethered:
“You start dying slowly if you do not travel, if you do not read, if you do not listen to the sounds of life, if you do not appreciate yourself. You start dying slowly when you kill your self-esteem; when you do not let others help you. You start dying slowly if you become a slave of your habits, walking everyday on the same paths…If you do not change your routine, if you do not wear different colours or you do not speak to those you don’t know. You start dying slowly if you avoid to feel passion and their turbulent emotions; those which make your eyes glisten and your heart beat fast. You start dying slowly if you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love, if you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain, if you do not go after a dream…if you do not allow yourself, at least once in your lifetime, to run away from sensible advice.”
I wish you an abundant 2017 filled with much love, passion and adventure. As always I am here to support you in this life journey – and welcome your feedback.