Our new practice>>> Notice each and every time the thought/feeling arises in you that “I have to.” (or I can’t, or any variation of feeling like you have no choice.)

This practice is the first step in a 3-week practice whose purpose is to help you move from semi-conscious habits of victimhood, into greater degrees of conscious choice and power.

When and where are you not experiencing being “at choice” in your life?

This thought/feeling may show up as “I have to…” or “I can’t…” or any variation of “I have no choice.”

I have to finish this report.
I have to check my e-mail.
I have got to return this call.
I have to eat.
I need to do the laundry.
I don’t have time to go to the gym today.

In this first part of the practice, your task is simply to make mental
note of these habits of mind and feeling.
For now, we’re not making any judgments about whether or not these
statements are true.
We’re not even judging whether or not these thought-feelings
are good or bad.
We’re simply observing the phenomenon.
Watch with alert curiosity.
How many times each day can you catch yourself slipping into the
perspective of “have to”?

You might want to literally keep a running tally.
What fun!
How many times today? 10? 20?
Watch your own behavior at more and more subtle levels.
The thoughts of “have to” can slip by quite quickly.
Our habits of mind are so… well… so habitual… that we don’t usually notice.

There’s no requirement to shift anything in this part of the practice.
Simply fine tune your powers of self-awareness.

And, as always, make the practice maximally relevant to you.
If you’re not getting much value from this (or any) practice, adjust it.

The practice>>> For the next 5 days, notice each and every time the thought/feeling arises in you that “I have to.” (or I can’t, or any variation of feeling like you have no choice.)

Adapted from the practices of Robert Gass.

“Surrounded as he must be by people holding all kinds of views, the leader will drift like an anchorless ship, if he does not have the inner voice to guide him.”
Gandhi

In summary, here is a chronological listing of the inner knowing practices. May they help to cultivate and spread this empowering human capacity.

Developing your inner knowing
Your instrument panel
The windstorms of life
It’s that easy
Who’s talking in there?
Give the servant a break
The 4-step process
Rodent Consciousness
What is inner knowing
Auspicious occurrences
Navigating the rivers of life
Words of wisdom
Just do it
Egg on your face
Where’s this all heading?
The rest of your life

Adapted from the practices of Robert Gass.

Today is the last day of Inner Knowing Practice>>> Consult and listen to your inner wisdom before making each and every decision—large and small.

I hope that this practice has been helpful in strengthening your access to your deep well of inner knowing.

What would it be like to give your leadership…and your life…over to the direction of your inner knowing?
What would it be like to commit that you will not make any major decision without clear direction from within?

This would mean being willing to wait when that guidance is not clear.
In my experience, this can sometimes be a bit “inconvenient.”
Others may have their timelines.
“I need a decision now.”
“The catalogue goes to press this week.”
“We’re waiting for you.”
And yet, for major decisions, we wait until there is clear guidance.
Generally, when not clear these days, I choose not to act.
It’s all part of getting more real results, with less energy, and being
more joyful in the process.
Timing is everything.

We wait.
And listen.
And wait.
And listen.
And when the Way is clear…
Then we act…with full commitment and a whole heart.

“Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving until the right action shows itself?” Lao Tzu

Consider this commitment:
I give my life to the direction of my inner voice.
I surrender all important decisions to that guidance.
I choose, whenever possible, not to act except with clear direction.

I have found that when this commitment is 100% clear, that the many
competing voices of fear start to relax…
Like a poorly-trained horse when a master rider finally takes the reins.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”
Albert Einstein

When the master comes home, the servant can relax and assume its proper place.

Practice is over.
Time for the rest of your life.

Are you ready to put the master that is you in charge?

Adapted from the practices of Robert Gass.