The one thing I must do every day to perform

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I was recently listening to the audible version of “Conversations with God, Book 1” while I was walking my dog, when a statement made in the book stopped me in my tracks.  Literally, I had to whip out my phone to make note of it.  According to one of the main characters:

“If you don’t go within, you go without”

Woah.  I knew something important had been coming, as preluding this were some good instructions on quieting the noise around us in our world.

“Begin by being still.  Quiet the outer world, so that the inner world might bring you sight.  This in–sight is what you seek, yet you cannot have it while you are so deeply concerned with your outer reality.  Seek, therefore, to go within as much as possible.”

No wonder going within and connecting to my true self has been the most important thing I do every single day (here’s a recent post on the True Self you might find interesting).  I’ve done it for so many years now, that I often connect subconsciously, and not doing it feels like I didn’t brush my teeth.  For many years I prioritized this daily activity over exercising, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, etc., etc., etc. (and we all know how important those things are to me!).  If I don’t go within, I go without.  If I go without, I am of no use in any of these activities, no matter how healthy they are.  I go without in anything I do throughout the day.    

How did I actively seek (and still do) to go within as much as possible? Here are my main go-to’s:

  • As soon as I wake up I ask myself: What do I want out of this day? I very quickly go through the entire day in my head and how I want it to go. One of my favorite Stanford professors espouses this overall point of this activity, read about it here.
  • I meditate very first thing in the morning once I get out of bed (here are some great resources for you if you are interested in starting to meditate)
  • I listen to an audible book on my commute (or whenever possible). If I don’t have time to read anything spiritually enrichening after meditating, I take it with me on the go! I listen to audibles all the time. Washing the dishes while no one is home? Folding laundry in your room? Doing an everyday chore and want to get more out of that time? (e.g. the example I gave above on walking my dog) Great time to listen to an audible!
  • I put structures in place. For example, if I have a jammed packed day of meetings, I use bathroom breaks as my structure to go within. Every time I stop by the bathroom is the perfect time to pause, take a deep breath, and go within and connect with something higher and a greater purpose.
  • Last chance, get it done at night. If I haven’t been able to get any of the above in, I meditate in the evening and journal. Usually I journal on a gratitude list for the day and the upcoming days (Here’s a great post on this you will enjoy)

Maybe you can hit all of these in one day (that would be a GREAT day).  Or you might just get to a couple of these at the beginning.  If you start just doing 1-2, you will get yourself in good shape.  By going within, you will stop cheating yourself of your own knowledge and inner wisdom.  You find your voice and what you deeply desire.  You stop the noise around you that is drowning your own opinions.  You become more confident and your True Self shines through.  People notice and stop trying to overpower you with their opinions.  If they don’t stop attempting to overpower you, you are so strong and connected so solidly to who you are that all the noise seems like just a feather attempting to push your True Self around.  And that’s why, if you don’t make the time to go within, you go without…You go without your True Self.

I hope this article is of service to you.

Do you know someone who would benefit from going within each day? Share this article with them. As always, leave a comment or question below, I would love to hear from you.  

Judith