What does your inner voice tell you?

I have been very fortunate to be part of an 2-year Jewish study program called The Wexner Heritage Program funded by the Abigail and Les Wexner Foundation and The Jewish Federations.  We have studied the history, scripture, philosophy and culture of the Jewish people which will hopefully make us better leaders in our community.

This week's session titled "Visions of Abyss and Redemption" was taught by Emory Professor Don Seeman and focused on the philosophy of Martin Buber (1878-1965).  Though I can go into further detail about Martin Buber and his different theories on existentialism, religion, Israel and philosophy, there is a particular passage from his book "The Way of Man" that I thought was very poignant and worthy of a post on the LIVE AS IF blog.

"Everything now depends on whether man faces the question.  Of course, every man's heart, like that of the chief in the story, will tremble when he hears it.  But his system of hideouts will help to overcome this emotion.  For the Voice does not come in a thunderstorm which threatens man's very existence; it is a "still small voice," and easy to drown.  So long as this is done, man's life will not become a way.  Whatever success and enjoyment he may achieve, whatever power he may attain and whatever deeds he may do, his life will remain way-less, so long as he does not face the Voice." --Martin Buber

The Voice that Buber is speaking of is the Voice of God but I found it quite interesting how he just referred to it as "The Voice".  I guess it would be easier if God showed up as burning bush, a thundering cloud or Morgan Freeman but many believe that our inner voice is God's way of speaking to us and giving us guidance.  The question is whether we are listening.

The LIVE AS IF blog has always been based on the premise that whether you believe in a God, an energy or some other connection that binds us, you should LIVE AS IF that God, energy or connection is real.  So, if you have made it this far in this post, my question to you is...

WHAT DOES YOUR INNER VOICE TELL YOU?

It may seem like a simple question but with all the "noise" going on in our everyday lives, it can be difficult to hear our inner voice and more importantly, to listen to it.  My first recommendation would be to take the advice of Craig Cohen's recent post titled "It's all in the breaks".  It's all about taking the time from your busy schedule to listen to your inner voice.  Take a walk, pray or just find a few minutes on the way home from work.  Your inner voice is there to guide you on your journey through life but only if you are listening.  As Martin Buber says, "it is a "still small voice," and easy to drown."  Only if we let it Mr. Buber.  Only if we let it.