LITTLE VOICES
Posted by anthonynorth on August 12, 2007
My attention has recently been placed upon ‘inner voices’, which has got me thinking about the subject. At least, I think it’s me, or maybe it’s those little voices in my own head.
The most logical explanation for the voice is that it is a defence mechanism – to warn you when you are about to put yourself in physical danger, or maybe to tell you that what you’re about to do is immoral – you know, conscience.
Two brainers
The most likely explanation for the voice can be found in the split-brain concept, where the brain has two cerebral hemispheres, one of which seems to control rational function, whilst the other is artistic.
In normal life we use the rationalist – the typical left brainer – but when we dream, or go artistic, the right brain comes into its own. And it is here that the voice in the head can be particularly useful.
As well as the functions described above, my little voice used to get me into all sorts of trouble, but then I decided to control it and use it as the artist. Now it is my ‘muse’, and it diverts all its destructive power to helping me with ideas for stories, essays, etc.
Petulant little thing
In this sense, it’s become a useful little fella; although sometimes it refuses to speak, and for ages I’ll have no ideas. Then, suddenly, it will give me a brainstorm, and ideas will pour out of me, leaving me exhausted.
Hence, I have an uneasy relationship with my little voice, but I wouldn’t like to be without him. We talk often, deciding this or analyzing that. But the question is, does this make me just a slightly bit mad?
I suppose in a way it does – not because I have an inner voice, but that I talk about it. No, madness comes when you begin a dialogue with the inner voice, and suddenly you realize you’re not part of the conversation.
© Anthony North, August 2007
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August 12, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Yes, the ideas do seem to come in waves like that for me also. And yes, you only have to worry about the little voices when they start to talk amongst themselves and exclude you!
August 12, 2007 at 3:13 pm
whoa, was this written because of my post http://elmantheman.wordpress.com/2007/08/09/my-mind-says-otherwise/
Nahh, just a coincidence perhaps.
But when the verses in the bible are the little voice you are saying, then, the world see you as a mad person, or insane, but truly we are in the world of reality not them.
August 12, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Hi OB,
They haven’t chattered by themselves yet, but there’s been a few close shaves - or maybe I’d just had a beer too many on those occasions.
Hi Elmantheman,
I can assure you these thoughts were pure coincidence.
By the way, I’ve deleted all your posts except this one. I’m all for freedom of speech, and you’re welcome to comment any time with short comments of relevance to the subject. But to literally plaster my pages with lengthy Biblical quotes is taking it a bit too far, my friend.
August 12, 2007 at 5:36 pm
well, im saddened by that decision, but your the author anthony, I cannot insist.
August 12, 2007 at 5:38 pm
I just want to ask, how come an intelligent response with a basis is moderated here but I read baseless comments retained?
August 12, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Hi Elmantheman,
The message is not the issue. Share that, by all means. But in your own words, and in brief posts, not lengthy quotes spread throughout my blog.
I think you’ll find this is what others do, even the ‘baseless’ ones.
I think that’s fair, isn’t it?
August 12, 2007 at 6:30 pm
May I just clarify that those verses are the reason why I am writing comments here. My belief is based on the Bible. Yes, it is lengthy but the verse says it all. I cannot subtract or add a word, or I am out of context.
August 12, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Hi Elman,
As you’ll see, I’ve left your post on the Religion page now. It is you, and whether I agree with your message or not, I can easily read it and understand it.
Why do you blog? I suspect it is to get the message of God to people, but what if people are turned off by archaic quotes? This is not to denigrate those quotes, by the way, but to point out that a message must be sold with the present audience in mind.
Many branches of Christianity are grasping that, and the Evangelical movement is thriving because of it. To express a love of God through yourself is not to be out of context, but to prove to people how you feel, yourself. It is a powerful message.
August 13, 2007 at 12:07 am
Well, if you just took time to read my previous post, you might have learned more than that of my comment that you decided to remain standing.
Every word in the verses are very important, and to miss one is like missing a part of the puzzle. And we are talking about a life.
True, that we need to use a medium for relaying the message that is easily understood by the audience. But since we are talking about verses, we need to instill in the minds and hearts of the audience by giving an example of the need to familiarize themselves with the verses in the Holy Scriptures so that they shall not be decieved by false preachers. True, that evangelical movement is thriving because of the story telling, but mind you, look at the produce - more hypocrites than themselves.
To exhibit the difference on what I said above and the verse below, let me state the source:
Matthew 23:
5″Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’
8″But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.
9And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13″Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
15″Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are
August 13, 2007 at 2:19 am
I hope you’re not calling me baseless Elmantheman! Because truly I have a base. Or is that a face? Or a vase? Yikes! I feel slammed (hangs head in shame).
August 13, 2007 at 3:49 am
Um…wow…Where to start here? First of all, I considered this to be quite a thoughtful post Anthony. I agree that it is important to listen to yourself and find your inner “muse” and take advantage of the inspiration that speaks from within (mental illness is entirely different matter as you know…). Great achievements can be derived when one pays mindful attention to that elusive little voice. Secondly, I must say that the spirit of this post was lost (albeit not altogether) by one person’s (Mr. Elman) attempt at scripture study. Yes, it is true that sacred texts should be interpreted in their entirety for analysis, but this is not Sunday school and we should be mindful of the author’s wishes here. He can easily press the delete or accept key when moderating posts…it is really that simple. Respect and mindfulness win the day…brevity and clear interpretation are treasured as well…
August 13, 2007 at 4:50 am
Hi Tony
I haven’t had a lot of things that I’ve moderated off my comment section but I have done it and these are the reasons why
It’s my blog, that’s why.
And to be fair the only time I’ve done it was when the comments where longer in word count then the actual post ( and that only happens when someone takes issue with what I’ve written)
When I’ve been threatened ( I’m a human rights activist and even though my blogs aren’t about that it’s been used as a message center )
There’s discussion and there’s Soap Boxing and when that line gets crossed I have no problem with
DELETE
August 13, 2007 at 7:34 am
Good morning OB,
I don’t think you could be ‘less’ of anything (did that come over as a compliment? I do hope so).
Hi PM,
Yes, the ‘inner voice’ is quite often a better representation of ‘I’ than the front we all use and call the ’self’. The latter is often sculpted as an acceptable face, whereas the former keeps telling us this.
Hi AM,
It is the nature of much of my writing that I get many and various ‘philosophies’ on this blog. In many ways, it adds colour, but yes, I’ve had to moderate before, and no doubt will have to again.
Just a thought.
I find it interesting that I ended the post with a joke about the voices taking over and leaving you out of the conversation. Coincidence - the Cosmic Joker - is a wonderful thing. It nearly happened, here, for real.
It’s a crazy world!