The cacophony of modern life can be deafening, leaving us feeling frazzled and uneasy. In this warm, wise book, Prem Rawat teaches us how to turn down the noise to “hear ourselves”―to listen to the subtle song of peace that sings inside each of us. Once we learn to truly “hear ourselves” and the voice of peace within, then we can hold that within us as we face all the noise of the world. The culmination of a lifetime of study, Hear Yourself lays out the crucial steps we can use to focus on the voice within. Take a walk in nature and listen for the sounds of harmony, Prem Rawat suggests, or set aside a few minutes each day to feel gratitude, which comes from the core of our being. He challenges us to embrace our thirst for inner peace and let go of expectations for how it should feel. With one straightforward yet deeply profound question, he helps us to focus―to be present: Am I conscious of where I am today and what I want to experience in this world?” If we allow ourselves to listen, what we hear is the extraordinary miracle of existence―an experience that transforms our relationship to life and everything in it. Packed with powerful insights and compelling stories, Hear Yourself introduces readers to an ancient line of practical wisdom that enlightens us to a simple way to listen. By doing so, Prem Rawat reveals, we can “profoundly change our understanding of ourselves, those around us, and our lives. ”
Man today is dominated by selfishness. Insatiable desire fills his whole being. The number of such persons is growing without limit. How can they achieve anything great in life? Their daily round of activities consists of reading newspapers, watching video programmes and listening to the radio. Every moment their attachment to castes, creed and parochial interests is growing. Men today must learn to lead lives inspired by sheelam and tyaga (morality and sacrifice). Human relationships today are governed by friendship or enmity. The cause for either feeling is the mind. Hatred is bred by each one’s thoughts. This may be seen from the hatred of Ravana towards Rama, of Shishupala and Dhantavakra towards Krishna and of Kauravas towards Dharmaja, who was an “Ajatashathru” – incapable of hating anybody. There is no need to worry about the enmity of others towards you. You develop a friendly attitude towards all. Ignore the abuses of others, because they serve only to diminish your sins and transfer them to the reviler. When a man praises another, the merits of the latter accrue to the former. Deem the critic as your friend, not the one who flatters you.
This reminds me of the apocryphal story about Michelangelo and the secret of great sculpture. “How on earth did you manage to create this sublime depiction of David?” the sculptor is asked. “Well,” he replies, “I just kept chipping away everything that didn’t look like David.”