The Art of Looking Within
By Karin J. Pekarcik
We are constantly surrounded (more like bombarded) with outside stimuli. This is part of our life in the electronics age. Everywhere we look, advertising is pointing its finger at us, calling us to buy a product, or service, or point of view. Everyone is after the piece of pie of prosperity and materiality. Is that all there is? What about the inner values in our life? What about our basic beliefs and understanding? What is our role in this fast-paced environment of instantaneous communication?
Why don't we take a few moments out of our busy stress-filled day to stop and listen to what our "inner voice" is saying to us? If we are forever surrounded by others' thoughts, ideas, and suggestions, when do we have time to think our thoughts and develop our inner creativity? There is just too much "stuff" going around in our head to even get a clear picture of what it is we are thinking. It is not our original thinking, but someone else's thoughts imposing themselves upon us.
This is where the cultivation and development of The Art of Looking Within comes into play. What does this mean? We have the natural ability to answer all our questions, because these questions are coming to our mind in response to our inner prompting. Why else would we be asking them? They are our personal questions. Why go to an outside source for the answers, when they are right there for us to find within? Yet, it seems so much easier to seek out our favorite author, our latest guru, or the mass media to find our answers.
The Art of Looking Within begins in that quiet place within ourselves. Take a moment to find that peaceful and serene place within. Relax, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and then just be. Can you stop all those thoughts racing around in your head? Leave those thoughts for a few moments (they will surely find you again). See if you can feel the inner peace that comes once those thoughts are quieted down.
Next, see in your mind's eye a crystal-clear blue lake. It looks like glass. There are no ripples upon its surface. Feel the serenity of the lake. When a thought intrudes itself, see it as a ripple upon the lake. Before it has an opportunity to carry you into its wake, stop that thought. Break it immediately. Return to the clear reflective lake. Take a few moments to feel the beauty and serenity of the lake. Feel it wash away your fear, anxiety, and frustrations of the day. Feel it refresh your spirit. Take a few more deep breaths, and with each breath release a little more of those thoughts of separation and insecurity. Know you are a divine being. Feel the divinity starting to stir within. Feel the little cells start coming alive, revived and refreshed.
In this place of quiet, ask your question. Ask, and then wait for an answer. It may not come immediately. It may not even come during your quiet time. Continue to watch for the answer during the day or evening. When you ask, it will come.
When you start to develop the process of asking the questions, you begin drawing the answers. The answer may come in the form of a fleeting thought, an "ah hah," even a word from a friend may hit the mark, or a book suddenly finds its way into your hands and gives an insight. Maybe even a dream will provide clarification to your idea. Look for it, and it will surely come.
Karin J. Pekarcik has Masters Degrees in Sociology and Esoteric Psychology. She is senior editor of Briarfield Books of Los Angeles and Native Planet Publishing of Los Angeles, and has written various articles. | 
