All of us have an inner voice that expresses our deepest concerns, our noblest values, our highest aspirations. That inner voice is the voice of Krishna who, the Bhagavad-gita (15.15) indicates, resides in our heart.

Problematically however, Krishna’s voice is frequently drowned out by many outer voices. These voices come from several sources, especially our social circle and our broader culture. Becausesuch voices are frequently motivated by their own interests and are usually unaware of life’s spiritual purpose, they rarely address our best interests. Additionally, different outer voices sometimes give conflicting counsels that cumulate to a numbing noise that confuses more than clarifies.

More problematically, when we hear certain outer voices repeatedly, they slowly become internalized, either consciously or subconsciously. That’s why sometimes we hear within a babble of contrary voices.

Most problematically, sometimes one of these inauthentic inner voices masks itself as the voice of God. Thereby, we tragically misbelieve that God wants us to do whatever that ungodly voice directs.

How do we connect with the authentic inner voice?

By focusing on the outer manifestations of that sublime voice: guru-sadhu-shastra (spiritual master-saintly teachers-scriptures). They serve as mouthpieces for the divine, helping us to know the wisdom and will of Krishna. They also provide us a dynamic connecting link with Krishna: the process of Krishna consciousness. First, this process helps us realize the importance of our inner life, thereby enabling us to reject or neglect irrelevant outer voices. Further, it helps us cleanse our inner world through Krishna’s purifying remembrance, thereby exiling or silencing inauthentic inner voices. The more we cultivate remembrance of Krishna, the more his inner voice becomes clearly audible and readily accessible.

By being thus divinely guided from without and within, we can make intelligent decisions and achieve our fullest potential materially and spiritually.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15 Text 15

“I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.”