“Your Daily Dose” is a quick two minute read packed with bite-sized wisdom from all the great teachers. But you could also choose to turn it into something more… a powerful daily practice for personal growth. Give it a try!
A message from today’s meditation:
In the noisy world that we live in, is it possible to find a clear voice to listen to? Something that is clearly distinguishable from the cacophony that is permanently on full blast telling us who to be, what to want, and how to live? On this matter, even ancient teachings which came from an arguably less noisy time, directed us to find that clear voice within ourselves. But this has never been an easy task…
“I wanted only to live in accord with the promptings which came from my true self. Why was that so very difficult?” – Hermann Hesse
Why is it so very difficult to distinguish a clear and trusted inner voice? This is because our ‘true self’ is not the only place that we get promptings from, we get many more promptings from our scared self. And our inner voice that speaks in fear tends not to be as subtle as the wisdom from our true self, our fears SCREAM, and that makes it difficult to hear much else.
“You know quite well, deep within you, that there is only a single magic, a single power, a single salvation… and that is called loving. Well, then, love your suffering. Do not resist it, do not flee from it. It is your aversion that hurts, nothing else.” – Hermann Hesse
There is only one salvation, and this is love. Extend this love to all the parts of you. The parts of you that hurt, the parts of you that are scared, yes even the ‘worst’ parts of you need to be held in love. The cause of our greatest pain, is our own resistance to extend this love to ourselves.
“You are only afraid if you are not in harmony with yourself. People are afraid because they have never owned up to themselves. A whole society composed of people afraid of the unknown within them!” – Hermann Hesse
Don’t turn away, don’t run, don’t numb, but stay. Stay with it. Allow it to be felt and you will find that even the ‘worst’ parts of you really just want your love. And being held in love, they become a lot less loud.
“The true profession of a man is to find his way to himself.” – Hermann Hesse
According to Herman Hesse the only job we really have, is to find our way back to our SELF – to go on the journey that brings us face to face with every voice of fear that lives within us. When we stop running and start listening, then we get to learn what it is that we’re listening to. We get to understand where these fears came from and why they are so loud. And in the familiarity we create with all the aspects of our SELF – when our fears feel heard, and seen, and held – then the voice of wisdom becomes a lot more clear, and we can learn to trust the guidance that comes through us.
The most intimate relationship you ever have, is with your own inner dialogue. No other human will ever be as close to you as the inner commentary running through your own mind. You will form a completely new relationship with all the aspects of your SELF when you learn to listen, and grow to understand who it is that’s doing the listening… and the more you practice the more you will become the one who listens…
Today’s meditation is the practice of listening, and by listening, becoming the strongest part of your SELF.
As we embark on this inward journey, here are some guiding mantras:
- “I embrace every part of myself with love and acceptance.” – Every part of you, light and shadow, deserves love and acceptance.
- “My fears are messengers, not masters.” – Fear screams loudly but wisdom is a whisper. Tune into the quiet whispers within, allowing them to guide your path.
- “I celebrate small victories.” – Acknowledge and appreciate the steps you take towards self-love.
- “I trust the process.” – Your journey is unique, and progress may not be linear.
By extending love to all the scared parts of our SELF, we get to step into and embody our true self, and amplify the steady and unconditionally loving presence of our inner wisdom.
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: A sense of self.
Today’s LIVE meditation
https://youtu.be/rHW2GvYRg6c 2025
https://youtu.be/7xlyDVvoSWY 2022
Practice the “Daily Dose”
Let’s put it into practice! Choose what works for you – daily, once a week or whenever inspiration strikes. Putting pen to paper wires the neural pathways that will create your new habits.
1 – Affirmation
Write down your favourite affirmation on a sticky note and place it somewhere that you’ll be able to see it the whole day.
- “I embrace every part of myself with love and acceptance.” – Every part of you, light and shadow, deserves love and acceptance.
- “My fears are messengers, not masters.” – Fear screams loudly but wisdom is a whisper. Tune into the quiet whispers within, allowing them to guide your path.
- “I celebrate small victories.” – Acknowledge and appreciate the steps you take towards self-love.
- “I trust the process.” – Your journey is unique, and progress may not be linear.
2 – A moment of reflection
Use today’s question as a journal prompt. If you don’t have the time to sit down and write, just take a moment to reflect on your response.
The Voice Recognition Exercise: Hermann Hesse wrote about the difficulty of distinguishing between promptings from our “true self” and our “scared self.” Think about a recent decision you’ve been struggling with. Write about the different voices you hear regarding this situation. What does your fear-based voice sound like? What words does it use? What tone does it take? Now, try to identify your wisdom voice – how does it differ? What would it say about this same situation? How can you learn to recognize the difference between these voices in real-time?
3 – Quotes to share
Send a quote to someone who needs it, or share them all on social media to spread the good vibes!
4 – Q&A for deeper learning
Read through the questions and answers and write down at least one “aha moment” that clicked for you.
Q1: How do I know if I’m hearing my “true self” or my “scared self”?
A: Your scared self typically speaks with urgency, creates either/or scenarios, and uses language filled with “should,” “must,” or “never.” It often sounds panicked or desperate. Your true self speaks with patience, offers multiple perspectives, and uses language of possibility and love. Fear screams; wisdom whispers. Your true self will never berate you or make you feel smaller – it guides with compassion.
Q2: What if I discover parts of myself that I genuinely don’t like? How can I love aspects of myself that seem harmful or destructive?
A: Loving a part of yourself doesn’t mean approving of harmful behaviors – it means understanding that every aspect of you developed for a reason, usually as protection. You can love the scared child within who learned to be defensive while still choosing to act differently. Love the part, transform the behavior. This compassionate approach actually makes change more sustainable than self-criticism.
Q3: I’ve been practicing self-love for a while, but my inner critic is still very loud. Am I doing something wrong?
A: Your inner critic became loud over years or decades – it won’t quiet overnight. The goal isn’t to eliminate it but to change your relationship with it. Instead of fighting it, try acknowledging it: “I notice my inner critic is active right now. Thank you for trying to protect me, but I don’t need this kind of protection anymore.” Consistent practice gradually reduces its volume.
Q4: How is this different from just positive thinking or affirmations?
A: This approach doesn’t deny negative feelings or paste positivity over pain. Instead, it involves truly listening to and understanding all parts of yourself, including the difficult ones. It’s about radical acceptance rather than replacement. Positive thinking tries to change your thoughts; this practice changes your relationship with your thoughts by approaching them with curiosity and love.
Q5: What if listening to my inner voice leads me to make decisions others won’t understand or approve of?
A: This is often where the real work begins. Your true self’s guidance may indeed conflict with others’ expectations or societal norms. The question becomes: Are you living your life or someone else’s? Hesse wrote about living “in accord with the promptings which came from my true self” – this requires courage to honor your authentic path, even when it’s misunderstood.
Q6: I have trauma in my past. Is it safe to listen to all my inner voices, including the painful ones?
A: When dealing with trauma, it’s crucial to approach this work with proper support. Consider working with a therapist who can help you navigate difficult emotions safely. You can still practice loving self-acceptance while getting professional help. The goal is to create safety first, then gradually build the capacity to hold all parts of yourself with love.
Q7: How do I maintain this practice when life gets overwhelming or stressful?
A: Start small and be consistent rather than perfect. Even taking three conscious breaths while asking “What does my wise self need right now?” can be powerful. During overwhelming times, your practice might simply be noticing when you’re in fear-mode and gently reminding yourself: “I’m scared right now, and that’s okay.” The practice adapts to your capacity – it’s not another source of pressure but a refuge during difficult times.