This Q&A is taken from “Ask J-R” excerpts in the Movement Newspaper and the New Day Herald between 1971-1991
April 1971
Q: How do I know that the inner answers I hear are from sources like my High Self or my Inner Master and not just wishful thinking?
J-R: If you hear inner answers, it’s okay if you check them out, but just don’t trust them without checking. If they give direction, lean into that direction, see how it feels and how it works for you. If something works for you, it doesn’t matter where you get the information. And if it doesn’t work, it also doesn’t matter where you got the information. The criteria is whether or not it works, not where the information came from. One guideline is that the inner voice of Spirit will never tell you to do something that will hurt you or anyone else. If something tells you to engage in an action that will hurt or violate another’s consciousness, you’re plugged into the wrong source. If you’re tuning into the Mystical Traveler, you’ll never be told to do anything that conflicts with the outer teachings; that’s another guideline.
January 1977
Q: How do I discern the difference between ego and illusion, and guidance from my higher self, or Spirit?
J-R: Practice. Spiritual guidance is that which creates more joy, acceptance, loving and more joy in your life. Are you experiencing those? Are you following the guidance of your higher self? Or are you using those words to justify judgment of others and making yourself appear less than you are? Whenever someone tries to make themselves appear as more, they more often than not are making themselves less. If you do indeed listen to the higher spiritual guidance you will hear, “You are Divine; You are Love; Spirit is Present; You are the Light, for God is in You.” But if you have lived many years putting energy into your ego and illusions, these words won’t do it for you. What will? Spiritual Exercises, studying the Soul Awareness Discourses put out by MSIA, and involving yourself in service. Then put your body on the line, practice in patience, and learn the highest teachings of the Christ, which is unconditional loving. Then practice it.
February 1980
Q: How can I know if the inner answers I hear are from you or from my imagination?
J-R: I have always taught my students to check out everything. If the information works for you, use it. And who cares whether it was from me, or it was your imagination? And if you lean into the information received, and it doesn’t work for you, then don’t follow it. And again, who cares where it comes from? If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Another “check point” is the idea of “if you are in doubt, don’t do.” Hold, don’t take action, ask inwardly for greater clarification, and then see what happens next.
Another way to check the accuracy of the inner answers is to check what the outer teachings are regarding that area. The inner guidance will compliment the outer teachings; and the Traveler within will never counsel any action that will harm or hurt you or anyone else. So, if you hear an inner guidance toward an action that will be inflictive or harmful toward you or toward another human being, it’s not the Traveler. Contact with the Traveler inwardly will often bring with it a warmth and a feeling of loving protection.
January 1981
Q: J-R, sometimes I hear things inside my head telling me what to do, and I’m not sure whether I should follow what I hear or not. I could interpret them in so many ways, and I’m confused.
J-R: Don’t get too caught up in your head. Don’t get caught up thinking that what you’ve tapped into is something weird or special. Lots of people hear guidance from within themselves. If you find a conflict between what your inner thoughts tell you and what I teach on the outer level, go with the teachings on the outer level; use those as guidelines. The true inner guidance will never tell you to do anything harmful or hurtful to yourself or others. Check out the inner guidance, and if it works for you, use it. But remember that, consciously you are always responsible for your actions.
March 1985
Q: What is the difference between the High Self and the Inner Master, and the Traveler within?
J-R: The Mystical Traveler Consciousness is a guide toward Soul Transcendence, and resides on all levels, including the Soul Realm. The High Self resides below the Soul Realm for the purpose of holding the divine guidelines for your karmic lifetime. What YOU call, “the Inner Master,” might be the Traveler, or the High Self, or a guardian angel. It’s any inner voice that tells you to do something, check it out before doing it. The criteria is not so much as to which being is offering what, but rather the nature of the directive. Some have used their inner directives for their physical health (cutting down on caffeine and sugar intake) others for spiritual advancement (greater commitment in service) and others have tried to manipulate their so-called inner master and have “heard” approval of lustful and/or acquisitive expressions.
I suggest you continue tuning your inner ear by spiritual exercises, expressions of service, study of Soul Awareness Discourses, and participation with those beings who have apparently committed their lives to the expression of loving and integrity. In time you will know that your Inner Master or High Self or the Traveler is the one offering information for your highest good. The title of the messenger is not nearly as important as the content of the message.
January 1991
Q: I used to have a good sense of what was right for me to do, and I know I’ve gone against it lately. Now I don’t seem to have that inner sense anymore. What can I do?
J-R: If you don’t listen to the inner voice, it shuts off. It’s non-inflictive. To awaken it again takes a lot of prayer and a lot of devotion. I’ll tell you a way that opens it up again in a hurry: be of selfless service to people in your community. That opens the heart. The Spirit heart opens, and the communication of the Lord starts to come in to you.
