Born to Chatter

I have been thinking a lot about voice. As usual, what comes to mind is Donald Miguel Ruiz’ “be impeccable with your word,” which cues my ego. After all, it was born to chatter.  

There was a time when I did nothing but listen to that voice. Now, mere awareness of it shows me all I need to know. I’ve learned to step back from my ego, to “watch” as well as to hear it.

My ego narrates image after image stored within my memory, my own personal archive. When it reaches the end of a file–the re-creation of what occurred, with variations, of course—it goes on to create future scenarios.  

Like a pendulum, the voice swings between past and future, and only the present pauses it.

It is true that being in the moment is full of uncertainty—it’s new, never happened before–it is tangible, explosive, and completely real. Mindfulness is feeling pain, joy, fear, and courage for it is only in the moment that we live.

There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing

that you are not the voice of the mind–you are the one who hears it.

If you don’t understand this, you will try to figure out which

of the many things the voice says is really you.

Michael Singer, The Untethered Soul

Maybe what is most amazing about being present, mindful, in the moment— whatever name we give it— is that in the chaos of immediacy, the ego is silent. It is stilled by life.  

Aim for Even posts offer equanimity in daily doses. No day or dose is ever the same, even if the aim is. You may read about the origins of Aim for Even here or on this site’s About page.