Today I want to talk about how we check in with our inner mentors.
By the way, that’s the first thing – we check in! We go visit!
I often say that the inner critic intrudes, we don’t have to seek it out. That voice of self-doubt starts chattering away in our minds whether invited or not. Our inner mentor is different. We do have to seek her.
Sometimes I think of it this way: the inner mentor’s wisdom in us is so steady, so knowing, so deeply at home that it’s just not gonna chase. Ever. But it will wait for us, with that same steadiness. And when we seek it, that inner wisdom is there for us.
So how do we reach out to her? After we’ve first encountered her in the initial meditation, how do we keep the connection alive?
Let’s talk about two major ways to check in with her.
The first is “watching the movie.” We close our eyes and envision how she would go about something. Sam “watched the movie” of how her inner mentor would move through a new job. (Sam was starting a new job the following week.) Anna “watched the movie” of her inner mentor in the difficult conversation with her two adult kids, who were in a high-drama conflict with each other. Susana “watched the movie” of her inner mentor sending out queries for the novel she was writing. Each of these women got a felt sense of how they could do their difficult thing with more serenity, ease, and authenticity.
The power of watching the movie is that we get the whole package. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a movie may be even worth more. Just like watching an actual movie, we get to have a felt, emotional experience; we can “get it,” in a holistic sense.
A second way to check in with your inner mentor is to have a conversation with her, a dialogue. You probably remember in your original inner mentor visualization (here, if you haven’t done one yet!) that you sat down with her for a chat. You asked her big questions about her journey, and you asked her to weigh in on a question or dilemma you were having. She answered you, in one of the ways inner mentors answer – with words, or just a facial expression, or a physical gesture, or an image, or a feeling that came up for you. Now, you’ll bring her back to your mind’s eye and do this again, but asking current questions around whatever is up in your life or work that you’d like her perspective on. Then listen for or sense into the wisdom she offers.
Both are great practices for reconnecting with your inner mentor regularly. Sometimes, watch the movie of how she does something. Other times, sit down for a conversation with her and ask her for her perspective on whatever is coming up for you.
Thanks for reading, and read on below to meet a wonderful member of our community – and get inspired by what she’s doing!
Love,
Tara
Top Photo Credit: Ussama Azam
