Learning to listen and trust your inner guidance

Tony Samara’s talks and meditations are what I would consider more of the grounded type. He incorporates spirituality and astrology seamlessly into mind-management and gratefulness techniques without being overly flowery. He talks a lot about how the way we think and act is mostly “automatic programs” that we learned early on in life. This is something I’ve heard before, but the way Samara explains it is very easy to relate to and understand. 

This is especially important in recognizing and healing our own shame-based identities which trap us in ways of thinking that are like he said, automatic and fear-based. We immediately judge ourselves negatively and tell ourselves stories about what other people must think of us. I always think of the quote by Mark Twain, “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” This perfectly describes my experience with anxiety. Tony helps you to be aware of those kinds of thoughts so that instead of being dragged along by them, you can gently acknowledge them and let them go. 

The journey of healing and spiritual development is no walk in the park. Even several years into my own, I struggle to stay centered. It’s so easy to be convinced by the constructs of the societies we live in.  To resent the mailman for leaving our package out in the open, to stress over silly things like dishes or even personal projects that should bring us joy. 
There are so many beliefs about life, ourselves, and the world that trap us. In the end, these beliefs only serve to make us feel anxious, inadequate, unfulfilled and unhappy.  We rush because there isn’t enough time, we lose ourselves to disproportionate emotional responses because of our own traumas, we follow our thoughts into toxic ruminations about people and events in our lives. All of this is made worse by the information overload we get each day just from being modern people with smartphones and internet. Our health suffers and some of even develop addictions. 

Detaching from all of that and getting back in touch with the quiet peace and knowing within us takes practice (I guess that’s why they call it a practice). But that’s why we have guidance to help us get there. I’ve listened to a lot of talks and guided meditations over the years to expand my awareness and toolbox. A lot of them offer pretty much the same thing, but through a different lens, so it’s good to try out many different sources. 

I would say Tony’s talks are excellent for beginners who are just now learning about this kind of thing, but it’s also great for seasoned meditators who need a fresh perspective and a new voice. Each track is generally 20-30 minutes long, and easy to listen to while you settle into yoga and meditation. 

Listen to Best of Tony Samara’s Talks for Mindfulness, Peace and Happiness w/ Meditations and more self-improvement audio programs on Audiojoy — download free on iOS or Android.