Inner Peace Tool ~ Taming the Inner Critic

(The following is a portion of an article that appeared in The Healing Point Newsletter. I just received this article from my Laughter Yoga Teacher. It was profound and I had to blog it!)

Most of us are familiar with the Inner Critic. You know, that pesky individual living inside our heads telling us we're stupid, worthless and/or ugly. Yes, that's the one. Very few of us having an Inner Cheerleader telling us that we're super, fabulous and magnificent, so the Inner Critic usually gets a significant amount of air time.

The Inner Critic has a considerable impact on our bodies as well. It deceives us by disguising itself as anxiety, depression or stress. This is how it occurs: When we grow emotionally, it's normal for us to experience an expansion. In exceeding our previous state of being, we become more of ourselves. Thanks to growth, we feel more competent, knowledgeable, powerful and at peace. Then after this, a contraction usually takes place. We need time to integrate our new experiences and to rest after the strides we've just made. This is a natural cycle.

Enter the Inner Critic. It witnesses this cycle and seeks a perfect opportunity to wreck havoc on our growth. Catching us in the contraction when we're usually a little vulnerable, it feeds on minor setbacks and taunts us about our expansion: "Who do you think you are getting that promotion? You're sure to fail!" "Who do you think you are taking some times off? You're not being productive!" "Who do you think you are starting your own business? You won't make it financially!"

And, if there are any little set backs occurring, the Critic latches onto those as well. "See, you can't make it on your own – not enough money is coming in!" "See, you're not going to get that book published. The agent just rejected your query letter!" ...And on and on it goes.

When this happens, our growth can become severally sabotaged if we listen to what the Critic tells us. Not only that, our bodies become at risk for collapse. This is because every time we believe what the Critic says, our energy becomes constricted. Instead of letting our energy flow with delight at our growth, we block our energy in fear or defeat. We suck in our breath, our muscles become tight and the migraines start. We label this as stress but in reality, it's the inner Critic telling us we're worthless, our lives are a mess and we're not allowed to be happy.

We must learn to tame the Inner Critic or we'll experience chronic stress. We do this by being gentle with ourselves, by encouraging ourselves and by accepting ourselves for simply being.

Feel deep within yourself that you are okay regardless of what's going on, how you feel or what your mind is telling you. When we feel this way deep within ourselves, our bodies relax, energy flows and ironically, things really do turn out okay. We have to teach the Inner Critic this because it hasn't learned it yet.

By: Lise Porter, Licensed Therapist ~ www.liseporter.com
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of The Universe. Your playing small does not serve to world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of The Universe that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”  
~ Marianne Williamson

Inner Peace Tool ~ Write It Down!


 I've owned and given this book away a few times already, and I just purchased another. It's a genuine "GUARANTEE" that it will work for you, just as it has for me. The entire title is: Write It Down, Make It Happen. Knowing What You Want - And Getting It! by Henriette Anne Klauser.

It's a simple notion that what you want can happen to you if you simply write it down. Goals, aspirations, never-gonna-happen-but-I'll-write-it-down-anyways, pretty much anything you want. I would not endorse this book if I didn't KNOW that it works. I've recently begun a new list!

Shortly before I moved to California (and after I had read this book), I made a list of things I wanted once I arrived in California. My list started to come true, starting the first week I was here. The last of the list was completed 3 months later. From wanting to live next to the water to the type of job I wanted. Upon moving into my new apartment, a koi fish pond with a waterfall was outside my bedroom window [instead of the ocean, which I should have clarified when originally writing 'water!']. I wasn't complaining. It was perfect....but don't forget your own important details!

“You can "make it happen" purely by believing in the possibility. There is no 'right way' to write a goal down – a single line jotted on a scrap of paper is as valuable as a full-blown description of the goal that goes on for several pages. Once you state your goals in writing, the rest of the world can cooperate with your ambition – from grand career goals and major moves to having a better relationship with a teenage son, or simply waking up in the morning happy."
~ Henriette Anne Klauser, excerpt from her book.

This is possible because of the brain's filtering system called the 'reticular activating system' (RAS). This filtering system can sort out important things. Imagine you're in a room full of talkative people. Though you can't hear everyone's conversation, you can hear your name spoken by someone across the room. What makes us hear our name and not everything else? That nifty RAS, that's what! Once we write something down, it creates a 'filter' for the RAS to use. Things start to appear – though they've been there all along – your RAS filtering system is linking you to signals and signs seeing that you make it to your goals.

Try it! I love hearing the success stories from my clients who've read this book. (a special thanks to my client M.K., who inspired me to share this on my blog...I can't wait to hear your future success story!)

Copyright © 2000 by Henriette Anne Klauser, Ph.D.
“Tension is who you think you should be.
Relaxation is who you are."
~ Chinese Proverb


Inner Peace Tool ~ Reiki Healing Photo

While you look at the picture, know that the Intention is for the healing of any ill you may have, be it physical, mental or Spiritual. Yes...this is for You and only You, that is my Intention. As this photo was taken, I was sending out Reiki Healing Energy to anyone who sees it. You have found your way to this Healing picture, and since I don't believe in coincidences or accidents, I am glad you are here, in the Now with me.

Take a deep breath and exhale out your nose. One more, in through your nose then out through your nose. Uncross your arms, legs and ankles. You may place your hands on your legs, palms facing up.

Now relax your forehead...relax your shoulders...feel your weight supported in the chair.

Relax your eyebrows, let them be heavy over your eyes....loosen your jaw....and finally, relax your tongue inside your mouth. (This relaxes your nervous system and can be done anywhere, anytime).

Visualize yourself in perfect health, your body in perfect glowing health...see your mind centered and at peace. See the most perfect version of yourself. Make it your Intention to receive Healing now.

And so it is.

Inner Peace Tool ~ Healing With Music

Never underestimate the healing power of music. We all may know a song that uplifts our spirits, makes us dance or gets us in the mood. Sound waves are energy and have resonance...you know when you hear noises or sounds that "don't jive" or make you uncomfortable. It's the same with pleasing sounds. Resonance affects everyone and everything, all the time. Sound has a frequency, and that frequency can remind the body's energy field of it's original blueprint, resonating at the same vibration. This in turn brings us into harmony.

“Music has charms to soothe a savage beast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."
~ William Congreve

Don't underestimate the power of Sound. What would most movies be without a powerful musical score? Try watching memorable scenes in your favorite movies with the sound muted. It's just not the same.

“Music washes away from the Soul the dust
of everyday life."
~ Red Auerbach

I've attached a song here for you. It is one that brings me immediate peace every time I listen to it. It is my intention for it to bring you Peace, too. Settle yourself, take a deep breath and relax into your chair. Click the link below and just...Listen.


©Shiva Rea Yoga Rhythms. All Rights Reserved. #11 Track: Guru Mari
“Our subconscious minds have no sense of humor, play no jokes and cannot tell the difference between reality and an imagined thought or image. What we continually think about eventually will manifest in our lives.”
~ Robert Collier


“The person you call an enemy is an exaggerated aspect of your own shadow self."
~ Deepak Chopra
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