Summary of the book "Hear Yourself" - By Prem Rawat

Key Concepts in this book:

1. To find inner serenity, you must first mute the outside world.
2. When you let go of the minor details in life, you will find peace.
3. Learning to live in the now will allow you to see that you have everything you require right now.
4. Accept what you know and concentrate on yourself rather than what others believe.
5. Allow yourself to let go of unrealistic expectations.
6. Count your blessings with each breath you take.
7. Inner serenity has the power to set you free.
8. It is up to you to make the world a more peaceful place.

Who can benefit the most from this book:

• Goal-setters who want to follow through on their ambitions.
• People feeling distracted and overwhelmed by the demands of life.
• Anyone trying to navigate periods of stress, trauma, or grief.

What am I getting out of it? Find the calm that already exists within you.

The modern world is a jumbled mess. We live in densely populated cities, surrounded by traffic, noise, and pollution, and we labour ourselves to death.

We've lost how to access the sense of serenity that has been inside us since we were born, thanks to distractions and the demands of regular life.

This, however, does not have to be the case. There are ways to reconnect that do not require you to flee to the mountains or live like a hermit!

This summary shows you how to get a glimpse of this more calm way of life and how to get there.

• You'll learn how humans create their own unhappiness.
• The necessity of living in the "now".
• And how being grateful every day can bring you peace and contentment in this summary.

1. To find inner serenity, you must first mute the outside world.

Have you ever awoken in the morning with your thoughts racing?

You slowly open your eyes, yawn, stretch, and are quickly engulfed by thoughts about the day ahead, the goals you must meet, and the expectations of others.

You're not alone if any of that struck a chord with you. We're all slaves to what author Prem Rawat refers to as "life's activity." We allow petty matters to dominate our agenda to the point that time appears to vanish. We miss out on all the amazing experiences that life has to offer as a result.

The main point here is that in order to obtain inner calm, you must first silence the noise.

There is always something vying for your attention in today's world. Take, for example, technology. While technology is a vital and beneficial aspect of life, it is also a source of noise and distraction.

Consider how much time you spend on your phone each day. The desire to be always connected involves browsing through social media feeds and emails, replying to messages, and then feeling disappointed if you miss out on something amazing.

However, technology isn't the sole culprit. Internal pressures, ambitions, and expectations, such as earning a promotion, moving forward in your work, or worrying about what other people think of you as "successful," all play a part.

Being ambitious isn't a bad thing. However, the relentless pursuit of success serves as a diversion from what is excellent in the current moment. It's like rushing from point A to point B without stopping to look out the window.

Many of us recognize that our lives are noisy, but the problem is that we are looking for calm in the wrong places. We de-stress by taking extended trips to far-flung islands or climbing high mountains. The cacophony will always accompany us unless we can discover serenity within ourselves.

Cutting oneself off from technology or civilization isn't the only way to reconnect with your inner serenity. It's all about laying a firm foundation of calm and strength – and then relying on that to keep you steady even in the most trying of circumstances.

2. When you let go of the minor details in life, you will find peace.

Consider your favourite shirt for a second.

Imagine removing it from a drawer, putting it on, and walking out the door feeling revitalized.

That clothing will get dirty throughout the day, whether you're working, running about, or eating spaghetti. You'll probably want to wash it once the day is done.

When you wash your clothes, what happens? You are the one who cleans the dirt. That is to say, you do not import cleanliness from somewhere else and stuff it into your clothes! You get rid of what you don't want and keep what you do want: a clean piece of clothing.

The same concept applies to achieving inner tranquillity. You don't make peace and then implant it within yourself. Instead, you discover what's already thereby letting go of what's unimportant and unnecessary.

The main lesson here is that peace comes when you let go of the things that aren't significant in life.

Finding inner peace is largely a matter of decision. You choose to devote your time and attention just to the things that are important to you: duties that must be completed or activities that you like. Everything else is just noise - the stress, the ideas, the fears, the expectations.

But how can you get rid of anything you don't require? One solution is to avoid focusing on your negative emotions and instead strengthen your good ones.

Consider this: there is both presence and absence in life. And it's a lot better to concentrate on what is rather than on what isn't.

For example, there is a great deal of hatred in the world, which is to blame for wars, violence, and the breakup of families. Hatred, on the other hand, is difficult to eradicate. That would create a vacuum because vacuums are always filled with something in nature.

As a result, we must consciously choose love over fear. When you put love in the forefront, hatred begins to vanish.

Assume you're concerned about possible workplace criticism from your supervisor or coworkers. Rather than focusing on their problems, work on improving your own abilities and being the best version of yourself.

Recognizing that you have a choice allows you to live joyfully and consciously. You can put your energy into things that will help you grow – and stay away from things that will bring you down.

3. Learning to live in the now will allow you to see that you have everything you require right now.

Prem Rawat was born and raised in the Indian city of Dehradun. He recalls magnificent fall days filled with blue skies and large, puffy clouds from his boyhood.

He recalls sitting in his front yard beneath two magnolia trees, admiring the sweet peas blooming on the walls and inhaling the lovely perfume.

Rawat was sitting in his customary location when he began to contemplate. Whatever had produced him had also made the magnolia trees and the dew on the lawn, he realized. He felt what it was like to just be — with no wants, no wishes, and no desire to do anything but feel - in that instant.

The main takeaway is that learning to live in the moment will help you see that you have everything you need right now.

Rawat was in the moment that day in his yard. However, staying in the present moment can be difficult at times. People are prone to looking ahead; we're always rushing to the next appointment and crossing items off our to-do lists. We lose sight of what's vital when we do this.

Have you ever run across an old buddy and thought to yourself, "Wow. "Has it really been that long?" Realizing how rapidly the year's pass might be frightening. It can even make you feel guilty for being so preoccupied.

How can you keep yourself from becoming entangled in life and focusing on what really matters?

In hectic periods, Rawat suggests pausing and asking yourself two questions: "What is the worth of time if we don't comprehend the significance of each breath?" and "How can yesterday or tomorrow be significant to me if now isn't important to me?"

These questions will assist you in gaining a sense of stability. They'll remind you that what matters is happening right now, not tomorrow.

Another option is to alter your temporal viewpoint. We are accustomed to thinking of time infractions: years, months, weeks, days, hours, and seconds. These time units are limited.

Our mental world, however, perceives the instant as absolute, or limitless - what Rawat refers to as "a timeless today," despite the fact that the outward world operates by the ticking clock. We can only live in the present moment, no matter what we do or what plans we make for the future.

Your timeless today, like Rawat's under the magnolia tree, allows you the freedom to just feel. There's no need to work on oneself or seek out fresh experiences. Right now, at this moment, you can find the endless tranquillity you seek.

4. Accept what you know and concentrate on yourself rather than what others believe.

Rawat has gone from country to country throughout his life to convey his message of peace. He's spoken to everyone from world leaders to ex-guerilla fighters, from United Nations sessions to high-security jails.

He developed the Peace Education Program as part of the Prem Rawat Foundation, which helps people find their role in society by reconnecting them with their inner peace.

When Rawat was speaking to convicts in a Pune, India, prison, one man approached him and asked him a question. The prisoner stated that he was about to be released and was concerned about what people would think of him once he got out.

The main point is to embrace what you know and concentrate on yourself rather than what others think.

For the hundreds of detainees Rawat spoke to that day, other people's judgment seemed to be a major source of stress. It's also a major problem for many of us in our daily lives.

We spend much too much time worrying about what other people think of our work, our personalities, or even the house we live in. It's as though we're looking for other people's approval to fill a need within ourselves.

The problem is that no one can fill that void for us. We must first and foremost value who we are.

You must "start with yourself" in order to do this. That is, you must accept and utilize the incredible strengths and resources that you already possess.

Consider these questions the next time you're keeping yourself awake at night worrying about what your friends or colleagues think of you: Do I think I'm a good person? Do I enjoy spending time alone? Do I recognize and respect myself?

It's not about being self-centred; instead, it's about being focused on yourself.

It's not always simple. You can lessen the noise caused by other people's opinions, desires, and wants if you stop focusing on other people's judgment and instead focus on how much you approve of yourself.

The buzz of the outside world fades into insignificance when you feel centred. And you realize that the seeds of clarity, joy, tranquillity, and love have already sprouted within you, waiting to bloom.

5. Allow yourself to let go of unrealistic expectations.

If you're like most people, your day is probably guided by a set of expectations. Your alarm clock is set to go off, and you expect it to do so. You expect your crucial meeting to take place. When you take up a salt shaker, you expect it to be full of salt.

We shape our lives by setting expectations. It's also not always harmful. What's dangerous is when our expectations aren't in line with reality.

Unfulfilled wishes, such as friendships that terminate or relationships that fall apart, cause a great deal of rage and despair. As a result, being realistic about the future pays off.

The main message here is to let go of unrealistic expectations.

Setting expectations for our relationships, homes, jobs, and families can be wonderful - but don't get too caught up in them. It's all too easy to squander time lamenting the fact that the present hasn't lived up to your expectations. When you're dissatisfied, however, the "now" loses its allure.

The problem is that it's difficult to step back from our thinking and assess how committed we are to certain results. We can be so inflexible in our judgements of how life should be that unexpected events and disappointments have an even greater impact on us.

It's the same thing that happens when an obstinate person gets lost. Rather than believing what the map says, she persists in following her own path. She then blames the map when she finds she's gone the wrong way.

Being adaptable – and simply accepting what is – is key to finding inner peace. Consider how a tree sways gently in the breeze or a bird gliding through a storm. The tree and the bird have no expectations for the outcome of their trips. They just keep moving, just thinking about the now.

Of course, life in the actual world may not be as enjoyable as life in fiction. However, it aids in your preparation for whatever comes your way. If you're having a fantastic time right now, be mindful that you'll hit a rough patch at some point. And if you're going through a rough patch, remember that good times will come.

There's no need to be concerned or try to anticipate every potential possibility. Simply believe that change is on the way, dig deep, and tap into your inner strength.

6. Count your blessings with each breath you take.

Trees have a heartbeat, in case you didn't know. According to new research, trees swing their branches up and down at night, creating a water pulse that runs through their entire body.

Trees have mastered the art of surviving. They can thrive in any habitat and grow in the most unusual places, such as deserts, rivers, and the gaps in the rocks of mountains.

Trees, in fact, could teach us a thing or two. Whatever your situation, you must find a method to bring more clarity, calm, and understanding into your life. You do so by valuing the most valuable possession you possess: your very being.

The main point here is to be grateful for each and every breath you take.

When was the last time you felt sincerely grateful for your existence?

We're not talking about seeing a funeral and thinking to ourselves, "Thank goodness it's not me." We're talking about being completely aware of the passage of time as day turns to night - and truly appreciating your own existence.

Gratitude isn't something you can think into existence; it's a feeling. "I am alive, and I honestly know I am alive," a voice inside Rawat says when he feels grateful. And he can feel the life force coursing through his veins.

He imagines the human body sustaining him, with all of its many parts and activities. His blood cells transport oxygen from his lungs to the rest of his body. And each new breath sustains his existence in this magnificent world.

Gratitude, like so many other aspects of life, is a decision. You can choose to be grateful for your life, your home, and your loved ones.

We often put off giving thanks for what we already have until we have a child, a marriage, a personal crisis, or an external achievement. Gratitude, on the other hand, stems from what is, not what might be.

You may quit craving what you don't have - whether it's possessions or other people – if you can accept, experience, and enjoy things as they are.

When you appreciate each breath, you'll realize that this is the case. And it is here that you will find unfathomable serenity and happiness.

7. Inner serenity has the power to set you free.

Prisons aren't exactly locations that conjure up images of liberty.

Inmates are confined to their cells and must spend their days within the same four walls, while prison personnel keep a careful check on their every move.

However, prisoners can experience freedom as well, as Rawat learned when he began speaking in jails. He was astounded to discover that even in the most desolate conditions, some inmates exuded such good energy. Why? They'd discovered peace and tranquillity within themselves.

The main point is that inner serenity can set you free.

So, how did these detainees come to feel free despite their confinement?

Rawat discovered how much agency is stripped away from people when they find up inside on one of his visits to prison. They may have suffered a variety of stresses in the outside world, but at least they had a home or a location they considered theirs.

That was taken away from them while they were incarcerated. Everything was under the authority of the jail environment, including not just their freedom but also their time. The guards had complete control, and the other inmates were frequently difficult to live with.

The happiest convicts, according to Rawat, were those who understood they still had a choice. They couldn't get out of prison, but they could choose to connect with the calm, love, and self-respect they had within.

Because choice is a form of power, having a choice in prison may be extremely liberating. Inmates may feel alone and threatened when incarcerated. Being able to tune into a place of joy and tranquillity, on the other hand, is a lifeline.

As a type of escapism, people often try to shift the blame on others – and those in prison are no exception. Instead of accepting responsibility for their actions, inmates seek to blame others.

However, when a prisoner begins to look at himself instead of the outside world, he realizes that he possesses far more power than he previously realized. While he may not be able to alter the legal system, he may alter himself. As a result, he turns from a hopeless person to one who is empowered.

You must develop your own sense of freedom, regardless of your surroundings. Even if our lives aren't perfect, we can all find peace within ourselves if we choose to.

8. It is up to you to make the world a more peaceful place.

Assume you're constructing a home. Start by stacking bricks on top of each other and lining them with cement to ensure they stay put. The house's strength is determined by the condition of each brick. When one brick crumbles, it weakens the rest of the structure.

Individuals and societies are both affected in the same way. When one individual chooses not to demonstrate love and kindness to others, the consequences are felt all across the world.

However, the inverse is also true. If we find peace within ourselves, it may simply affect how we think and act as individuals at first, but it will quickly spread. Our individual actions will merge with those of others, and we will be able to work together to achieve global peace.

The main point is this: It is up to you to make the world a more peaceful place.

Consider a view of the world from space. Zoom in to focus on a mountain range, then go in closer to observe a forest on the mountain's side. Continue zooming to see a small grove of trees, then just one tree, and eventually a clump of leaves.

If you keep zooming in on the leaves, you'll ultimately see three different coloured blobs: one red, one blue, and one green. You've gotten down to the level of a single pixel, a tiny but vital component of the overall picture.

What does this have to do with creating a good society? Every human being is, after all, a pixel. If society's large picture appears to be off, we should investigate what's gone wrong at the pixel level. We must examine ourselves and ask, "Am I contributing to the creation of a positive image of my neighbourhood, society, and world?"

The problem is that we spend our childhoods distancing ourselves from others. We're educated about distinctions between individuals since we were children, whether it's a different culture, a different language, or a different skin colour.

Of course, each of us has our own unique characteristics. However, we all have the same set of basic requirements, including the desire for inner calm.

If you can find calm and strength within yourself, you will be able to share these traits with those around you. That way, one pixel at a time, you'll be building a stronger, brighter planet.

The main message of this summary is that our lives are busy and distracting, yet there are methods to recover your inner serenity. Rather than focusing on the talents or belongings, you lack – or on achieving unachievable ambitions - concentrate on the positive aspects of your life. Although the earth beneath your feet may appear to be barren at times, there is a wonderful world within that is bursting with fruitful possibilities. Peace is achievable if you allow it to blossom.

Advice that can be implemented:

Forgiveness is a powerful tool for letting go of the past.

Other people's deeds can be so heinous that we can't bring ourselves to forgive them. However, the more we oppose forgiveness, the more we obstruct our own recovery. If you're having trouble forgiving someone, consider forgiveness from a different perspective. Instead of seeing it as giving in or allowing the other person to win, consider it as a tool to help you cut a negative link to the past – and free yourself to begin again.