Changing our Internal Talk

Elmen Lamprecht
Nov 4
7 min read

In our quest for understanding and personal growth, one profound realization emerges: our internal realities, shaped by our thoughts and perceptions, are deeply subjective. This subjectivity, rooted in our unique experiences and interpretations, often diverges from the universal reality of Intent. To bridge this gap, we must first acknowledge the power of our Internal Talk—the ongoing dialogue within ourselves that reinforces our personal realities and influences our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

There is One Universal Intent

At this juncture, we must address the universality of Intent. Many argue that nothing truly universal exists, such as a ‘universal truth,’ and that all realities, opinions, and beliefs are subjective and therefore relative. The belief is that since a universal truth does not exist, all opinions can be right or wrong, depending on the situation and context. Consequently, ‘truth’ is nothing more than a subjective and relative reality that can be considered the best explanation under the given circumstances. Our skeptical approach to truth owes much to Karl Popper’s theory of Falsifiability.

By the early 2020s, the concepts of Fake News and Deep Fake videos have further entrenched this theory of relative truth. Who can forget Kellyanne Conway’s now-infamous ‘Alternative Facts’ notion? It seems the world has embraced the concept of subjective and relative truth to such an extent that today, nothing is wrong, and everything is true. By merely thinking or feeling something, you immediately create ‘truth,’ and this subjectively created truth cannot be dismissed or criticized, no matter how grotesque or fantastical, since all ‘truths’ are equal in substance and value.

The Daily Life of Resolute Beings unapologetically embraces diversity and celebrates our differences. However, it unequivocally rejects the notion of total relative truth. It views our differences and diversity as part of the uniquely human experience due to our fallible search for meaning. It believes that through sincere engagement in recurrent and respectful dialogue, and approaching worldviews different from our own with authentic openness and a willingness to understand, we can all move closer to the Universal Truth by strengthening our awareness together.

By Living with Intent, we acknowledge that, in many cases, humankind does not yet have clear perception and awareness, and in those instances, all opinions might still be subjective and relative. We also recognize that there are cases where Universal Truth has revealed itself. Five hundred years ago, theologians and scientists argued about the position of the earth in the universe. Some claimed it was at the centre, while others contended that the earth moved around the sun. Both parties had valid foundations for their arguments. Ultimately, the politically stronger of the two simply won the argument by burning the other at the stake. Today, arguing about the position of the sun relative to the earth is not a matter of subjective opinion or ‘relative truth.’ It is simply a universal truth that the earth moves around the sun. The Truth has revealed itself.

Let us use a different example: For millennia, humans of different creeds, races, and ethnicities believed their genetic disposition made them superior to those different from them. This belief allowed humankind to unleash shameful and often horrendous acts of violence and discrimination upon one another. Today, it is a well-held truth that racism is wrong and that discriminating against another based on the colour of their skin must not be tolerated.

Three concentric circles with labels: Core, Adjacent, and Transformational. Gray, orange, and red colors. Text: "Types of Innovation." — The Circles of Awareness

In a way, our personal awareness is like living in the woods and exploring the wilderness around you. According to your perspective, the entire world consists of hills, tall trees, small streams, and lots of shade. But for others living in the desert, the world is fundamentally different. These different perspectives represent personal paradigms, our own relative reality (microcosm). To gain more awareness, you need to elevate your viewpoint, like being in a helicopter and flying over the landscape. Suddenly, we see other perspectives and gain awareness of what other ecosystems look like. Flying in this helicopter together, we develop a shared reality of what the world looks like (macrocosm). However, there is an even higher reality. Gaining an understanding of this reality would be like climbing into a time machine and visiting all the different parts of the world at different eras in history. As you travel through time, you pick up more and more people to journey with you, and together you start developing an awareness of the universal reality of Intent that stretches over space and time.

Understanding Internal Talk

Internal Talk serves as the framework through which we interpret and navigate the world, creating our microcosm. We reinforce our Internal Reality through the process of Internal Talk. Our Internal Talk sustains the reality that we have created for ourselves, and our thoughts, feelings and behaviours flow from this reality.

Let's explore the mechanics of Internal Talk through an example. Imagine a scenario from your childhood where something very valuable to you, like a toy, was stolen. The actual event is an objective reality—nothing can change the facts of what happened. However, the experience of the event is very personal and impacted your Internal Reality. Based on this experience, you might have altered certain beliefs about the world, yourself, and others. For instance, you might have developed the belief that everyone is always looking to prey on you and your belongings, leading to a general mistrust of others.

Throughout your life, you repeat this reality to yourself, continually finding ‘proof’ for this belief by perceiving the world in a way that aligns with your internal narrative. You might believe that everyone who accumulates material wealth must have stolen from others to become rich. Then, when you read a newspaper article about one person who embezzled their clients' investment money, you use this as proof that everyone steals. The ‘proof’ provided by subjective perception can often be entirely disconnected from reality.

The psychologist Jean Piaget theorized that our Internal Reality is composed of ‘Schemas,’ cognitive frameworks or mental structures that organize and interpret reality in deeply personal and meaningful ways. According to his theory, we store knowledge in the form of schemas. Every piece of information we gather throughout our lives is organized and structured into these personally constructed schemas. In turn, our schemas influence how we perceive, interpret, and remember information, helping us make sense of the world by fitting everything into existing learned frameworks.

The two illustrations below aim to explain this in another manner. The internal talk of a mediocre lifestyle is characterized by distorted perceptions that simply reinforce our Internal Reality. When Awareness is absent, our Internal Talk becomes a vicious cycle. The mediocre person falls into the trap of deepening the distorted Internal Reality, steadily isolating it from Universal Reality. This creates a downward spiral that consumes energy, with every action making the return to Universal Truth increasingly difficult.

However, when your Internal Talk is influenced by both perception and a cleansed awareness, you expand your understanding of Universal Reality and move closer to Intent. You escape the destructive cycle of the mediocre lifestyle and place yourself on a progressive path moving upward, with every action leading to the discovery of more universal truths, radiating with the energy of Intent.

Flowchart of internal talk process; left shows downward spiral, right shows growth arc. Includes text on awareness and internal reality.

The Power of Awareness

There are three basic goals behind all awareness-cleansing activities: Removing our pre-occupation with our physical experience (to break away from the world), simplifying our thoughts and regaining clarity (discovering universal truths) and breaking our habitual thinking (changing our Internal Talk).

Here are a few examples of awareness-arousing activities.

Solitude: Disconnecting from external stimuli allows for introspection and clarity. Solitude fosters a dialogue with oneself, essential for challenging and reshaping Internal Talk.
Meditation: Through various meditation practices, we redirect our focus away from the external world towards internal clarity. Meditation promotes mindfulness and awareness, essential for cleansing distorted perceptions.
Connecting with Nature: Nature serves as a powerful source of energy and clarity. Immersing oneself in natural surroundings enhances awareness and fosters a deeper connection to universal truths.
Physical Exercise: Activities like yoga not only improve physical health but also clear the mind. Exercise reduces stress and enhances mood, facilitating a clearer perspective on internal dialogue.
Reading and Contemplation: Engaging with literature—both spiritual and secular—expands our perspectives. Deliberate contemplation of diverse realities encountered in literature enhances awareness and challenges preconceived notions.
Authentic Discussions: Engaging in meaningful conversations with individuals of varied backgrounds broadens our worldview. Active listening and genuine curiosity foster empathy and expand our understanding of universal truths.

Benefits of Cleansing Awareness

The net result of cleaning your awareness is a strengthened connection with Intent, the invisible impetus behind everything. You know that you have touched true Intent when you experience the following:

Heightened Energy: Cleansing awareness allows us to tap into the positive energy of Intent, revitalizing our outlook and infusing our actions with purpose and vigour.
Increased Clarity: By aligning with Intent, we gain a clearer understanding of life's complexities. This clarity transcends temporal and spatial boundaries, offering insights into past experiences and future possibilities.
Enhanced Love for Life: A deeper connection to Intent fosters empathy and compassion. Appreciation for life in all its forms—nature, humanity, and community—deepens, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity.
Discovery of Personal Intent: As awareness deepens, we uncover our Personal Intent—a unique path aligned with universal truths. This discovery empowers us to live authentically and purposefully, guided by clarity and profound insight.

Last words

Our Internal Talk shapes our reality, but it is not fixed. Through awareness and intentional practice, we can cleanse our awareness, aligning them with universal truths and the energy of Intent. This alignment transforms our lives, enriching our experiences, relationships, and sense of purpose. By embracing change in our Internal Talk, we embark on a transformative journey towards a more meaningful existence—one that resonates with clarity, energy, and the profound wisdom of Universal Reality.

If you found this blog valuable, please forward it to someone in your network who will also benefit from its message. Life is amazing but hard, and we all can benefit from sharing knowledge and wisdom that can help us life a Resolute Life.

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“The Daily Life of Resolute Beings” integrates philosophical insights with practical advice, encouraging readers to adopt a mindset of abundance, purposeful resource management and meaningful connectedness in pursuit of their goals. Order your book at any of the following online bookstores: