July 30, 2025 • 22 mins
Join us (Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek) as we wrap up our Month of Awe by exploring the concept of the 'Still, Small Voice' and its role in authenticity and soulfulness. We'll talk about the importance of turning inward, listening to our inner voice, and forming a relationship with our wisest self. Not sure what to listen for? Thankfully, even though our inner voice is unique to us, there are some universal characteristics to look out for. We'll get into those specifics so you can listen in with more confidence and take action in ways that nourish you and those around you.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!
Sources and Notes:
- Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.
- Related Joy Lab Episodes:
- Unmasking Your True Self: Exploring Authenticity and Awe [ep. 216]
- Embrace Your True Self: Accepted, Connected, & In The Game [ep. 217]
- The Road Most Travelled: Awakening Through Suffering [ep. 218]
- Follow Your Bliss: Awakening to Joy [ep. 219]
- Mary Oliver (website for her work)
- Parker Palmer and the Center for Courage and Renewal
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.
Please see our terms for more information.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the Joy Lab podcast,where we help you uncover and
(00:03):
foster your most joyful self.
Your hosts, Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr.Aimee Prasek, bring you the ideal mix of
soulful and scientifically sound tools tospark your joy, even when it feels dark.
When you're ready to experiment withmore joy, combine this podcast with the
full Joy Lab program over at JoyLab.coach
(00:26):
Hello, I am Henry Emmonsand welcome back to Joy Lab.
And
I am Aimee Prasek.
we are finishing our Month of Awe.
Ah, tear.
I am loving this Month of Awe.
Yeah, me too.
Yeah, we're digging into authenticity.
I hope you all have really enjoyed it.
It's not a total series,but it kind of is.
(00:46):
So if you haven't listened to thelast episodes, last four episodes,
um, before this, I'd encourage youto head back there now or after this
one if you're really kind of digginginto what we're talking about now.
So today we are talking about this laststrategy that Henry calls the Still
(01:07):
Small Voice Awakening With Soulfulness.
So Henry, do you wanna start us off?
Sure.
So just, uh, to bringeveryone up to speed.
This is the third of our pathsto true self paths, to awakening.
And it is my personal favorite,as you probably know, Aimee.
(01:28):
Yep.
The first was the path of sufferingor sorrows or hardship, path of loss.
The most common.
We think.
The second was the pathof joy or path of bliss.
Being drawn to what youlove, to what enlivens you.
And this is really the, the pathof soulfulness of, you know, really
(01:55):
turning inward and essentiallyestablishing a relationship, having a
conversation with your soul, with yourown inner voice, which is sometimes
called the still, small voice.
I love this in part because there'sstill a sense of mystery around it.
(02:19):
You know, I just, I think weneed more mystery and magic
in our lives and... yeah.
And I mean that's part of whySoulfulness is one of our four pillars
in, in the whole construction of JoyLab, because we love it and it lends
itself to that ongoing appreciationof mystery and depth and so forth.
(02:46):
Yeah.
So, I know that it can be a littleproblematic to talk about these things.
You know, there's maybe, becausethere's mystery around it, it can be
interpreted in so many different ways,and probably not everyone buys into
the notion that we have a soul or thatit's, you know, that it's a real thing.
(03:08):
I don't have any question aboutthat, but I'm gonna turn to Mary
Oliver to kind of support me on this.
So the great poet Mary Oliver, whois just was writing about soul,
constantly had this to say, "this isthe first wildest and wisest thing
(03:29):
I know that the soul exists and itis built entirely out of attention."
It's hard to read that and not beinspired, at least it is for me.
I just love that.
And that's just, you know, a line ofa longer poem and truly, her poetry
(03:53):
is constantly speaking to this, thevalue of attention and building a
sacred connection with the earth andwith ourselves around that attention.
And so according to, to her, and I thinkthere's just a lot of wisdom in this,
(04:15):
all that's really required here isthat we turn our attention inward,
and that we learn to listen deeply.
So I've talked before about myconnection with Parker Palmer, the
writer and speaker and just kind ofa, a thought leader in this area.
(04:39):
And he has a beautiful way ofconceptualizing the soul that I
just want to try to paraphrase here.
He says that the soul is a lotlike an animal in the wild.
So think about a, a fox or awolf maybe or something, a bear,
(04:59):
something deep, in the forests.
And so if you want to encounter it, ifyou're wanting to develop a relationship
with this aspect of soul, you cannotdo it by crashing through the woods.
You can't make a ton of noise, you know,being distracted, stumbling around.
(05:19):
You've got to learn to bequiet, to be still, and you've
got to learn to listen to it.
Mm.
But there's the thing, I believe it isspeaking to us all the time, and yet.
It's very possible for us to ignore it.
Yeah.
(05:40):
right?
Oh my gosh.
We can ignore it for years.
Yes.
We can ignore it for our wholelives, which is kind of back to that
thing we said in an earlier episode.
We can, we can choose to failat becoming fully ourselves.
And I think this is one way we dothat by refusing to listen to the
(06:03):
messages from our inner voice.
Yeah.
I did that myself for years.
Probably I'm gonna, I'm gonnacount all my years of and medical
training and my first eight yearsof outside of medical training.
So that's a total of 16 years.
Mm
Where I was not listening to what myinner voice was saying about vocation.
(06:29):
mm.
And I'll admit part of it was that afterall that time and effort and money and
kind of finally kinda getting to someposition of respect and a secure income.
I just didn't wanna throw that all away.
And that is really one of the, oneof the ways that we refuse to listen,
(06:52):
because it might be asking for changefrom us for, from a kind of change that
part of us just doesn't want to make.
And I know people have this in otherareas of their lives, not wanting to
leave a relationship, not wanting to move,not wanting to do this or that because
(07:14):
of what we fear we're going to lose.
And I'm not saying that this voiceis always telling us to do things we
don't want to do, but sometimes it doesbecause of what's really best for us.
Hmm.
So in my experience, the voicejust got louder and more insistent.
Eventually it started to speak notjust through these kind of urges
(07:37):
and longings and feelings, but mybody started to break down and then
it gets to be harder to ignore.
Yeah.
And again, I am not saying that allillness is caused by refusing to
listen to this voice, but I think some,sometimes it is, and the, the body is
just part and parcel of our whole being,and of course it's going to be affected
(08:04):
if we have this dissension within us.
That we're, we're simplyfailing to, to really listen to.
Yeah.
I think also you really nailed it,Henry, it can be hard to listen to
that wisdom sometimes or to let itspeak up or even discern when it's
(08:25):
really our wisdom coming up and notour insecurities or our fear or ego.
For example, sometimes our mindis just full of self-criticism and
judgment, and those are like predators.
I think for that still, small voice.
They will eat it for lunch.
So, it won't rise up in that environmentif we're bombarded by that judgment,
(08:47):
the self-criticism, there's just nospace for that still, small voice.
And maybe another predator I just wannacall out is sort of coming into the search
for self with a transactional intention.
Lemme try to explain what I mean here.
You know, we're looking to hearour inner voice as long as we get
(09:09):
something good out of it, right?
And usually something that satisfiesour external power rather than our
authentic power or soul or joy.
And Henry, you said this topicis one of your favorites.
I totally agree.
It is also one of mine, but it alsobrings up for me something that I love,
which is my fascination for cults.
(09:29):
And I wanna just bringthis into the conversation.
Please do.
This I've got to hear.
For a moment.
Hear me out folks.
I hope this will be helpful.
Nearly every cult all conflictingeach other in their beliefs, right,
yet all of them claim that the voiceof God has instructed their actions.
(09:49):
Super interesting to me, andI think if you haven't been
in a cult, I haven't... yet.
It's hard to imagine that asmart person could get sucked in.
But I think we have all fallen intothis trap when we're having trouble
accessing our deep wisdom, ourauthenticity, then it is so tempting
(10:12):
to get sucked into a person or practiceor group or movement, whatever, to
get sucked into a way of thinkingor acting because we're confidently
told that they've heard the voice.
They've done the work for us.
Don't worry, we've got you.
We can access our deepwisdom so you don't have to.
(10:32):
And that can be, huh?
That can feel good when it's reallyhard to tap into that for ourselves.
Like we might not even think we'reequipped to do it, or we've been
told that we're not equipped todo it, we outsource our wisdom.
But, expletive, I would say a swear word,but then we'd have to put an E here.
(10:55):
So, but expletive, we areequipped for this, right?
Like can hear our inner voice.
It can just be hard.
And we may not feel like weknow what to listen to or listen
for, or what to filter out.
But we have this ability,every single one of us.
So Henry, do you wanna get more into that?
(11:15):
Like, listening to your soul.
What To look out for.
What to dismiss.
Yes.
And I, I just really like your, yourexample of outsourcing our wisdom and, and
the example of a cult is such a clear one.
That's super helpful.
I had no idea that that it, it was, that'swhere you're going with that, but it's.
(11:40):
I just get drawn into the cultconversation, but it's a big
one here, I think, when you'reclaiming the voice of God.
But you know, there, as I'm thinkingabout it, there are so many ways
that we outsource our wisdom.
And uh, you know, that's a good example'cause it's maybe so extreme and clear,
(12:00):
but I think there are like, gurus or
absolutely
teachers or books that, that tell uswhat we should be thinking or doing
or a parent or a, a friend, or anykind of religious group or, I mean,
there's just lots of ways and we,I'm not saying we don't need inputs.
I think we do need, wedo need other input.
(12:21):
However,
I am going on record saying that it isreally worthwhile to learn how to have
a relationship with this inner voicewith this deeper part of yourself that
I'm calling the soul, that I believeis our connection with that which
(12:42):
is greater than ourselves, a sacredpresence, you know, of, of some sort.
and I believe that it gives us accessto this inner wisdom, this deep knowing
of what's really good and right for us
when we're being our true selves.
So how do we do that?
That's kind of your, your question.
I'll just share, share myexperience through this.
(13:05):
And honestly, a lot of this I learnedthrough my working with, with Parker
Palmer and the Center for Courage andRenewal and the what's called courage
work, which we've talked about before.
But I'd like to, I've come to thinkof this as, as though you're trying to
develop a deep friendship with someonethat that's kind of quiet and unassuming
(13:31):
that you don't yet know very well.
So what does it take to do that?
If you really decide, I wantthis relationship, you've really
gotta put in the time, don't you?
You've gotta spend time together.
There's just no substitute for that.
So that means learning to, to bestill, and listen and go inward.
(13:54):
And then I think that what you willfind the language of this kind of shy
and unassuming friend is the languageof longing, of yearning, of being
pulled very gently towards something.
It's not generally gonna hityou over the head with it.
(14:16):
Although I think it eventually did forme with, with vocation, but more of the
time it's just a very, like a soft, gentlebreeze through the trees that you just
need to be able to, to learn to attend to.
I also think that it uses thelanguage of the heart rather
(14:38):
than the language of the mind.
And so reading a book about this, unlessit's a very poetic kind of book, probably
not gonna really help you that much.
It, it comes through, language of theheart to me is story, poetry, music.
Story is such a great way
(15:00):
Hmm.
to get there because it getsaround our thinking mind.
You were referencing this, Aimee, that theobstacle, really, one of the big obstacles
is that we think too much and we judgeand we, you know, so it's a way of getting
around the, the e ego mind, let's call it.
(15:22):
And then.
This language is also deeply personal.
So everyone has their own inner language,which is a little different from
everyone else's, but it is always there.
And if you really learn to relate toit, you will realize it has always
(15:44):
been there throughout your whole life.
It never leaves.
It it's never abandoned you.
It is always there.
You just have to turn your attentionto it and be still and listen.
So how do we listen?
We set the intention to do that.
(16:04):
We're doing this very much onpurpose, which also means setting
aside some time and space whereit is quiet and uninterrupted.
It's a little bit like meditation,but not exactly the same thing.
'Cause we're really move goinginto this quiet state in order to
have a conversation, if you will.
(16:26):
And so stillness, I think natureis a great way to bring us in.
I have talked about my spot up north,near the boundary waters where I can
be completely alone and I'll tell you,it's just the perfect conduit to me it's
like a, a sacred vortex that you hearabout in, in, uh, in Arizona, but it's,
(16:52):
that's my little vortex, if you will.
And then you start to notice what'sgoing on with your inner landscape,
your emotions, the physicalsensations, your dreams, your,
your longings, and you will know.
That you're conversing withthis authentic voice because
(17:12):
it is always 100% supportive,positive, completely non-judging.
This is the epitome of self-acceptanceand self-compassion, and it is
always drawing us toward goodness,toward a higher version of ourselves.
(17:35):
It always has our best interest at heart.
And you know, honestly, if, if, if we gowith our best interests, it will always
align with the best interest of others.
It is not, there's not a selfish,greedy aspect to this in the least
because it's the language of abundance.
It's not the language of scarcity.
(17:56):
There's no win-lose or lose lose.
It is also the, the essence ofa longing for connection to be
loved and to love in return.
Those are some of the things to look forthat I think tell us that we're really
(18:16):
having an authentic conversation with thisbeautiful, beautiful part of ourselves
that has probably been ignored formost of our lives, but it's still there
waiting and willing to engage with us.
That's really helpful.
Those are the also 101 forkeeping you out of a cult, right?
(18:38):
Maybe.
Yeah.
Always loving.
It's always bringing you toa higher version of yourself.
I can't help but have a Tom Haverfordquote from Parks and Recreation where
he says, "I always encourage peopleto take the high road so there's
more room for me on the low road."
That is not what we're doing here.
We are all working on this.
(18:59):
We are all trying to work onthat high road as a community.
There is this, like, Iknow, I love that quote.
There is just this deep connectednature too that we're all working on
when you tap into that, voice, likeyou tap into that connection, I think.
(19:20):
Like, that's that craving too, thatdeep sense of connection where all
of the perceived dysfunctions and
or perceived screw ups,all that stuff fades away.
And we feel that love withinourselves and beyond ourselves.
The other thing I, I think is reallyhelpful, I wanna call out that I
(19:41):
liked, Henry, to sort of come into thisconversation as you're talking with a
quiet friend because I, I have a hard timewith small talk so if there's somebody
that isn't helping me with small talkon the other side of the conversation,
I feel very anxious and awkward.
(20:02):
And I think that's how it can feel atfirst when you're trying to do this
Mm-hmm.
Like it can feel very sortof awkward and uncomfortable.
But then it does start to morecomfortable as you get accustomed
to that that type of listening.
So I think that's really helpful.
Yeah, thanks.
(20:24):
Yeah, this is such a greatseries on authenticity or kind
of a series on authenticity.
I really enjoyed it.
I hope you all enjoyed it aswell, getting into this stuff.
Uh I feel like we got into a lot andthen just also touch the surface.
So let us know if you've foundthese helpful, these episodes
(20:45):
helpful, they resonated with you.
And maybe, what you wannaget into a little bit more.
If you have some questions, just commentin the podcast app you're listening
to or YouTube and we'll see it.
Next episode, we're gonna start a newelement of joy and I'll wait until
(21:05):
next episode to tell you about it.
What?
I know.
So to close us today, let'shear some wisdom from Rumi on
accessing our still, small voice.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoingand right doing, there is a field.
(21:26):
I'll meet you there. When thesoul lies down in that grass, the
world is too full to talk about."
Thank you for listeningto the Joy Lab podcast.
If you enjoy today's show, visitJoyLab.coach to learn more
about the full Joy Lab program.
Be sure to rate and review us whereveryou listen to your favorite podcasts.
(21:50):
Please remember that thiscontent is for informational
and educational purposes only.
It is not intended to provide medicaladvice and is not a replacement for advice
and treatment from a medical professional.
Please consult your doctor orother qualified health professional
before beginning any diet change,supplement, or lifestyle program.
(22:10):
Please see our terms for more information.
Welcome to the Joy Lab podcast,where we help you uncover and
(00:03):
foster your most joyful self.
Your hosts, Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr.Aimee Prasek, bring you the ideal mix of
soulful and scientifically sound tools tospark your joy, even when it feels dark.
When you're ready to experiment withmore joy, combine this podcast with the
full Joy Lab program over at JoyLab.coach
(00:26):
Hello, I am Henry Emmonsand welcome back to Joy Lab.
And
I am Aimee Prasek.
we are finishing our Month of Awe.
Ah, tear.
I am loving this Month of Awe.
Yeah, me too.
Yeah, we're digging into authenticity.
I hope you all have really enjoyed it.
It's not a total series,but it kind of is.
(00:46):
So if you haven't listened to thelast episodes, last four episodes,
um, before this, I'd encourage youto head back there now or after this
one if you're really kind of digginginto what we're talking about now.
So today we are talking about this laststrategy that Henry calls the Still
(01:07):
Small Voice Awakening With Soulfulness.
So Henry, do you wanna start us off?
Sure.
So just, uh, to bringeveryone up to speed.
This is the third of our pathsto true self paths, to awakening.
And it is my personal favorite,as you probably know, Aimee.
(01:28):
Yep.
The first was the path of sufferingor sorrows or hardship, path of loss.
The most common.
We think.
The second was the pathof joy or path of bliss.
Being drawn to what youlove, to what enlivens you.
And this is really the, the pathof soulfulness of, you know, really
(01:55):
turning inward and essentiallyestablishing a relationship, having a
conversation with your soul, with yourown inner voice, which is sometimes
called the still, small voice.
I love this in part because there'sstill a sense of mystery around it.
(02:19):
You know, I just, I think weneed more mystery and magic
in our lives and... yeah.
And I mean that's part of whySoulfulness is one of our four pillars
in, in the whole construction of JoyLab, because we love it and it lends
itself to that ongoing appreciationof mystery and depth and so forth.
(02:46):
Yeah.
So, I know that it can be a littleproblematic to talk about these things.
You know, there's maybe, becausethere's mystery around it, it can be
interpreted in so many different ways,and probably not everyone buys into
the notion that we have a soul or thatit's, you know, that it's a real thing.
(03:08):
I don't have any question aboutthat, but I'm gonna turn to Mary
Oliver to kind of support me on this.
So the great poet Mary Oliver, whois just was writing about soul,
constantly had this to say, "this isthe first wildest and wisest thing
(03:29):
I know that the soul exists and itis built entirely out of attention."
It's hard to read that and not beinspired, at least it is for me.
I just love that.
And that's just, you know, a line ofa longer poem and truly, her poetry
(03:53):
is constantly speaking to this, thevalue of attention and building a
sacred connection with the earth andwith ourselves around that attention.
And so according to, to her, and I thinkthere's just a lot of wisdom in this,
(04:15):
all that's really required here isthat we turn our attention inward,
and that we learn to listen deeply.
So I've talked before about myconnection with Parker Palmer, the
writer and speaker and just kind ofa, a thought leader in this area.
(04:39):
And he has a beautiful way ofconceptualizing the soul that I
just want to try to paraphrase here.
He says that the soul is a lotlike an animal in the wild.
So think about a, a fox or awolf maybe or something, a bear,
(04:59):
something deep, in the forests.
And so if you want to encounter it, ifyou're wanting to develop a relationship
with this aspect of soul, you cannotdo it by crashing through the woods.
You can't make a ton of noise, you know,being distracted, stumbling around.
(05:19):
You've got to learn to bequiet, to be still, and you've
got to learn to listen to it.
Mm.
But there's the thing, I believe it isspeaking to us all the time, and yet.
It's very possible for us to ignore it.
Yeah.
(05:40):
right?
Oh my gosh.
We can ignore it for years.
Yes.
We can ignore it for our wholelives, which is kind of back to that
thing we said in an earlier episode.
We can, we can choose to failat becoming fully ourselves.
And I think this is one way we dothat by refusing to listen to the
(06:03):
messages from our inner voice.
Yeah.
I did that myself for years.
Probably I'm gonna, I'm gonnacount all my years of and medical
training and my first eight yearsof outside of medical training.
So that's a total of 16 years.
Mm
Where I was not listening to what myinner voice was saying about vocation.
(06:29):
mm.
And I'll admit part of it was that afterall that time and effort and money and
kind of finally kinda getting to someposition of respect and a secure income.
I just didn't wanna throw that all away.
And that is really one of the, oneof the ways that we refuse to listen,
(06:52):
because it might be asking for changefrom us for, from a kind of change that
part of us just doesn't want to make.
And I know people have this in otherareas of their lives, not wanting to
leave a relationship, not wanting to move,not wanting to do this or that because
(07:14):
of what we fear we're going to lose.
And I'm not saying that this voiceis always telling us to do things we
don't want to do, but sometimes it doesbecause of what's really best for us.
Hmm.
So in my experience, the voicejust got louder and more insistent.
Eventually it started to speak notjust through these kind of urges
(07:37):
and longings and feelings, but mybody started to break down and then
it gets to be harder to ignore.
Yeah.
And again, I am not saying that allillness is caused by refusing to
listen to this voice, but I think some,sometimes it is, and the, the body is
just part and parcel of our whole being,and of course it's going to be affected
(08:04):
if we have this dissension within us.
That we're, we're simplyfailing to, to really listen to.
Yeah.
I think also you really nailed it,Henry, it can be hard to listen to
that wisdom sometimes or to let itspeak up or even discern when it's
(08:25):
really our wisdom coming up and notour insecurities or our fear or ego.
For example, sometimes our mindis just full of self-criticism and
judgment, and those are like predators.
I think for that still, small voice.
They will eat it for lunch.
So, it won't rise up in that environmentif we're bombarded by that judgment,
(08:47):
the self-criticism, there's just nospace for that still, small voice.
And maybe another predator I just wannacall out is sort of coming into the search
for self with a transactional intention.
Lemme try to explain what I mean here.
You know, we're looking to hearour inner voice as long as we get
(09:09):
something good out of it, right?
And usually something that satisfiesour external power rather than our
authentic power or soul or joy.
And Henry, you said this topicis one of your favorites.
I totally agree.
It is also one of mine, but it alsobrings up for me something that I love,
which is my fascination for cults.
(09:29):
And I wanna just bringthis into the conversation.
Please do.
This I've got to hear.
For a moment.
Hear me out folks.
I hope this will be helpful.
Nearly every cult all conflictingeach other in their beliefs, right,
yet all of them claim that the voiceof God has instructed their actions.
(09:49):
Super interesting to me, andI think if you haven't been
in a cult, I haven't... yet.
It's hard to imagine that asmart person could get sucked in.
But I think we have all fallen intothis trap when we're having trouble
accessing our deep wisdom, ourauthenticity, then it is so tempting
(10:12):
to get sucked into a person or practiceor group or movement, whatever, to
get sucked into a way of thinkingor acting because we're confidently
told that they've heard the voice.
They've done the work for us.
Don't worry, we've got you.
We can access our deepwisdom so you don't have to.
(10:32):
And that can be, huh?
That can feel good when it's reallyhard to tap into that for ourselves.
Like we might not even think we'reequipped to do it, or we've been
told that we're not equipped todo it, we outsource our wisdom.
But, expletive, I would say a swear word,but then we'd have to put an E here.
(10:55):
So, but expletive, we areequipped for this, right?
Like can hear our inner voice.
It can just be hard.
And we may not feel like weknow what to listen to or listen
for, or what to filter out.
But we have this ability,every single one of us.
So Henry, do you wanna get more into that?
(11:15):
Like, listening to your soul.
What To look out for.
What to dismiss.
Yes.
And I, I just really like your, yourexample of outsourcing our wisdom and, and
the example of a cult is such a clear one.
That's super helpful.
I had no idea that that it, it was, that'swhere you're going with that, but it's.
(11:40):
I just get drawn into the cultconversation, but it's a big
one here, I think, when you'reclaiming the voice of God.
But you know, there, as I'm thinkingabout it, there are so many ways
that we outsource our wisdom.
And uh, you know, that's a good example'cause it's maybe so extreme and clear,
(12:00):
but I think there are like, gurus or
absolutely
teachers or books that, that tell uswhat we should be thinking or doing
or a parent or a, a friend, or anykind of religious group or, I mean,
there's just lots of ways and we,I'm not saying we don't need inputs.
I think we do need, wedo need other input.
(12:21):
However,
I am going on record saying that it isreally worthwhile to learn how to have
a relationship with this inner voicewith this deeper part of yourself that
I'm calling the soul, that I believeis our connection with that which
(12:42):
is greater than ourselves, a sacredpresence, you know, of, of some sort.
and I believe that it gives us accessto this inner wisdom, this deep knowing
of what's really good and right for us
when we're being our true selves.
So how do we do that?
That's kind of your, your question.
I'll just share, share myexperience through this.
(13:05):
And honestly, a lot of this I learnedthrough my working with, with Parker
Palmer and the Center for Courage andRenewal and the what's called courage
work, which we've talked about before.
But I'd like to, I've come to thinkof this as, as though you're trying to
develop a deep friendship with someonethat that's kind of quiet and unassuming
(13:31):
that you don't yet know very well.
So what does it take to do that?
If you really decide, I wantthis relationship, you've really
gotta put in the time, don't you?
You've gotta spend time together.
There's just no substitute for that.
So that means learning to, to bestill, and listen and go inward.
(13:54):
And then I think that what you willfind the language of this kind of shy
and unassuming friend is the languageof longing, of yearning, of being
pulled very gently towards something.
It's not generally gonna hityou over the head with it.
(14:16):
Although I think it eventually did forme with, with vocation, but more of the
time it's just a very, like a soft, gentlebreeze through the trees that you just
need to be able to, to learn to attend to.
I also think that it uses thelanguage of the heart rather
(14:38):
than the language of the mind.
And so reading a book about this, unlessit's a very poetic kind of book, probably
not gonna really help you that much.
It, it comes through, language of theheart to me is story, poetry, music.
Story is such a great way
(15:00):
Hmm.
to get there because it getsaround our thinking mind.
You were referencing this, Aimee, that theobstacle, really, one of the big obstacles
is that we think too much and we judgeand we, you know, so it's a way of getting
around the, the e ego mind, let's call it.
(15:22):
And then.
This language is also deeply personal.
So everyone has their own inner language,which is a little different from
everyone else's, but it is always there.
And if you really learn to relate toit, you will realize it has always
(15:44):
been there throughout your whole life.
It never leaves.
It it's never abandoned you.
It is always there.
You just have to turn your attentionto it and be still and listen.
So how do we listen?
We set the intention to do that.
(16:04):
We're doing this very much onpurpose, which also means setting
aside some time and space whereit is quiet and uninterrupted.
It's a little bit like meditation,but not exactly the same thing.
'Cause we're really move goinginto this quiet state in order to
have a conversation, if you will.
(16:26):
And so stillness, I think natureis a great way to bring us in.
I have talked about my spot up north,near the boundary waters where I can
be completely alone and I'll tell you,it's just the perfect conduit to me it's
like a, a sacred vortex that you hearabout in, in, uh, in Arizona, but it's,
(16:52):
that's my little vortex, if you will.
And then you start to notice what'sgoing on with your inner landscape,
your emotions, the physicalsensations, your dreams, your,
your longings, and you will know.
That you're conversing withthis authentic voice because
(17:12):
it is always 100% supportive,positive, completely non-judging.
This is the epitome of self-acceptanceand self-compassion, and it is
always drawing us toward goodness,toward a higher version of ourselves.
(17:35):
It always has our best interest at heart.
And you know, honestly, if, if, if we gowith our best interests, it will always
align with the best interest of others.
It is not, there's not a selfish,greedy aspect to this in the least
because it's the language of abundance.
It's not the language of scarcity.
(17:56):
There's no win-lose or lose lose.
It is also the, the essence ofa longing for connection to be
loved and to love in return.
Those are some of the things to look forthat I think tell us that we're really
(18:16):
having an authentic conversation with thisbeautiful, beautiful part of ourselves
that has probably been ignored formost of our lives, but it's still there
waiting and willing to engage with us.
That's really helpful.
Those are the also 101 forkeeping you out of a cult, right?
(18:38):
Maybe.
Yeah.
Always loving.
It's always bringing you toa higher version of yourself.
I can't help but have a Tom Haverfordquote from Parks and Recreation where
he says, "I always encourage peopleto take the high road so there's
more room for me on the low road."
That is not what we're doing here.
We are all working on this.
(18:59):
We are all trying to work onthat high road as a community.
There is this, like, Iknow, I love that quote.
There is just this deep connectednature too that we're all working on
when you tap into that, voice, likeyou tap into that connection, I think.
(19:20):
Like, that's that craving too, thatdeep sense of connection where all
of the perceived dysfunctions and
or perceived screw ups,all that stuff fades away.
And we feel that love withinourselves and beyond ourselves.
The other thing I, I think is reallyhelpful, I wanna call out that I
(19:41):
liked, Henry, to sort of come into thisconversation as you're talking with a
quiet friend because I, I have a hard timewith small talk so if there's somebody
that isn't helping me with small talkon the other side of the conversation,
I feel very anxious and awkward.
(20:02):
And I think that's how it can feel atfirst when you're trying to do this
Mm-hmm.
Like it can feel very sortof awkward and uncomfortable.
But then it does start to morecomfortable as you get accustomed
to that that type of listening.
So I think that's really helpful.
Yeah, thanks.
(20:24):
Yeah, this is such a greatseries on authenticity or kind
of a series on authenticity.
I really enjoyed it.
I hope you all enjoyed it aswell, getting into this stuff.
Uh I feel like we got into a lot andthen just also touch the surface.
So let us know if you've foundthese helpful, these episodes
(20:45):
helpful, they resonated with you.
And maybe, what you wannaget into a little bit more.
If you have some questions, just commentin the podcast app you're listening
to or YouTube and we'll see it.
Next episode, we're gonna start a newelement of joy and I'll wait until
(21:05):
next episode to tell you about it.
What?
I know.
So to close us today, let'shear some wisdom from Rumi on
accessing our still, small voice.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoingand right doing, there is a field.
(21:26):
I'll meet you there. When thesoul lies down in that grass, the
world is too full to talk about."
Thank you for listeningto the Joy Lab podcast.
If you enjoy today's show, visitJoyLab.coach to learn more
about the full Joy Lab program.
Be sure to rate and review us whereveryou listen to your favorite podcasts.
(21:50):
Please remember that thiscontent is for informational
and educational purposes only.
It is not intended to provide medicaladvice and is not a replacement for advice
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(22:10):
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