9 Common Questions About the Higher Self, Asked By Spiritual Seekers
Getting in touch with one’s Higher Self begins the discovery process for the inner life. The discovery is not a one-time revelation but an ongoing journey, a series of meaningful dialogues with the divine. Over time, such discovery naturally inspires students to use the guidance of their Higher Selves in their lives outside of formal meditation practice.
To do this, we must learn to listen to the voice of the Higher Self in our daily lives. This is a subtle art, one that develops with practice and patience. Here are some exercises from the Higher Self Yoga teachings to help you open yourself to this guidance.
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Exercise 1: The Morning Check-In
Before you get out of bed in the morning, take a few minutes to connect with your Higher Self. Place your hand on your heart, take a few deep breaths, and ask your Higher Self: “What do I need to know today? What would you have me focus on?” Then listen quietly for a few minutes. You might receive a word, an image, a feeling, or simply a sense of orientation. Write down whatever comes in a journal if you can.
Exercise 2: The Pause
Throughout the day, create brief moments to pause and check in with your Higher Self. Before entering a meeting, before making a phone call, before responding to an email – take a breath, drop your awareness into your heart, and ask: “What is the wise, loving response here?” This practice trains you to act from a place of deeper awareness rather than habitual reaction.
Exercise 3: The Evening Review
At the end of each day, take a few minutes to review the day with your Higher Self. Ask: “What did I do well today? Where did I fall short? What would my Higher Self have me do differently?” This is not an exercise in self-criticism but in gentle self-awareness. The Higher Self’s voice is always kind and encouraging, even when pointing out areas for growth.
Exercise 4: The Question
If you’re facing a difficult decision or challenge, try this: Before going to sleep, hold the question or challenge in your mind with a light, open attention. Ask your Higher Self for guidance, then let go and allow yourself to fall asleep. Upon waking, before your mind fills with the day’s concerns, notice what is present in your awareness. Often the Higher Self communicates through the liminal space between sleep and waking.
Exercise 5: The Listening Walk
Take a walk in nature with the intention of listening to your Higher Self. Leave your phone behind. As you walk, practice receiving: images, words, feelings, impressions. Don’t try to manufacture anything – simply walk, breathe, and remain open to whatever arises. Many people find that the combination of gentle physical movement and natural beauty creates an ideal environment for Higher Self communication.
These exercises are starting points. As you develop your practice, you’ll discover your own ways of maintaining ongoing dialogue with the Higher Self. The most important thing is to approach the practice with consistency, patience, and an open heart.
To learn more about connecting with your Higher Self and to access guided meditations for this purpose, visit our Connect with Your Higher Self class.
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