A lot of time when I meditate I find the masters speaking to me. But it’s not master’s voice per se it’s as if my own higher self speaking to me directed by the masters. Is this channeling? Or is my mind playing tricks on me. What i am communicated is always higher knowledge and wisdom but sometimes I doubt is it all that I read and hear coming back to me by the trick of the subconscious mind, or I am really connected to the masters.
—Devika, India
Dear Devika,
You ask an important question as it is easy for the devotee to mistake thoughts and impressions that come from our subconscious likes, dislikes, opinions and past experience for true intuitive guidance. This false ‘guidance’ will likely just reinforce old habits. True intuitive guidance comes from the superconscious or higher self and is precious to the devotee.
You mention that what you receive is always higher knowledge and wisdom. How have you been able to know that? How can we know the difference between the subconscious and superconscious? Superconscious guidance has an expansive, still and uplifted quality. This guidance is solution oriented whereas ‘guidance’ that comes from our analytical mind is problem oriented and ‘guidance’ from the subconscious is emotionally reactive and takes us into old patterns. Superconscious guidance may come as a master or form of God speaking to us. More often, it comes as a still, small voice, a feeling. When we receive guidance that feels expansive and superconscious test it by taking small steps in the direction of the guidance and continue to tune in. Does that still, expansive quality continue or is there emotional reactivity, confusion or agitation? We cannot assume that our ‘radio’ of intuition, which is located in our heart chakra, is perfectly tuned to the Divine Broadcaster! However, we can refine our radio receiver with daily meditation practice and constant attunement thus strengthening the connection with the Divine Presence. To receive true guidance the heart’s energy must be uplifted, open, and not closed with doubt. However, we must always be aware, attuned and exercising discrimination lest we be fooled by the tricky subconscious. As with every aspect of the spiritual path, we have to learn to live and act from our center.
If you would like to learn more about this topic Swami Kriyananda, Ananda’s founder and a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, wrote a helpful book titled Intuition for Starters: How to Know and Trust Your Inner Guidance. You can get this in India at Ananda Publications and in the United States at Crystal Clarity.
Many blessings to you,
Nayaswami Mukti
