Silencing the inner voice is vicious.
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We hear the noises of left and right, back and front, but less about the inner voices. We are eager to hear outer voices (news, debates, schemes, and foresights) but not interested in something coming from the heart that is real.
"Listen to the inner voice of yours. It is not you, but it is for you". Kiyo Giaozhi
Inner voices are not to be ascertained from scholars or bestselling books, but any person can experience them at any moment in any position. Our inner selves speak, but we ignore them for varying reasons, including inside and outside pressures.
Our beliefs, values, social norms, mentors, and environment contribute to the shaping of our inner voice. When we do something wrong, our inner voice tells us first that it is wrong. Then we feel shame or guilt. There are people who feel otherwise. Such people suppress the inner voice.
Our inner voice is nothing but conscience. It is different from being conscious.
When we are not telling the truth about our products to customers, our conscience gets a jerk, but we avoid it, keeping gain in mind and consoling to say that it is business. In the long run, truth prevails. No proof is required. Conscience knows what is moral.
Judging right or wrong is the instant functioning of the conscience or inner voice. Ultimately, it is a compass to show what is right. It builds our characters. But who bothers? While taking undue benefits, we forget what our inner voice is for this deal.
Intuition is another tool working side by side. It is the ability to know something based on feelings. It is not based on reasoning, ethics, or evidence. A mother’s intuition makes her the best carer for her child. It is a gut feeling. Intuition is also reliable, but it is less reflective and more action-oriented.
Our inner voice is limited to right or wrong, moral or immoral, but intuition says what to do in the given conditions based on insights, wits, and experiences.
In this context, it is to be added that we must refuse to demean ourselves with low actions. A person may have sharp intelligence but may be unwilling to listen to his inner voice. Such a person is burning energy to deny reality.
"Follow your heart, listen to your inner voice, and stop caring what others think." Roy Bennett
Our desires lead us to accumulate more. Our conscience says no. We ignore it and go ahead. It is a common trend. It happens because material gains are getting more appreciation than meaningful and fulfilling living in almost all cultures. In the end, it has been realised by many old people that the excess material gains were not aligned with the standard course of their lives. The outcome was emptiness. No great action is done for others as the epitome of kindness, helping in any form, or something else.
It must not be interpreted as saying that the inner voice is asking us to be less than rich or powerful. Rather, it aids us in going ahead and choosing the right course. Right suggestion at difficult moments.
Conscience says to have cordial relations with people with whom we live or work. Some issues have made it non-functional for some time. After a gap, everyone realises the folly when nothing can be done to justify distancing themselves or carrying bitterness as a burden. At times, there’s a huge loss of image or peace.
Positive vibes strengthen our inner voice. Keeping away from responsibility prevents inner feelings from being adequately nurtured. Greediness, jealousy, and fault-finding are hindrances to being human. The inner voice is forcefully ignored. Conscience is thus the core of humanity, apart from guiding the right paths.
Finally, it is our decision in what way we have to steer our lives ethically or some other way. Ethical norms are always rewarding—not instantly, but after all.
