Quieting the Inner Critic: False Identity vs. True Self with Michael Henri

0:00 Hello there, and welcome to the Going Pro Yoga Podcast. My name is Michael Henry, I'm your host, and today we're going to be diving into, let's say, a tender and powerful space, the space where our inner critic speaks loudly, but your deeper truth is even stronger. So if you've ever found yourself believing that the voice that says you're not ready, you're not good enough, you're an imposter, or whatever other story might be playing as a narrative in your mind, maybe

0:29 consciously or maybe subconsciously, it's there. This conversation is going to be for you. So at the end of the day, I mean, are we broken? Do we need to be fixed? Or is that just the inner critic speaking to us? I mean, let's face it, we're all human and we all have the human experience.

0:47 And within the human experience, we make mistakes and things happen. Yet this inner critic is always there kind of commenting. It's like a little peanut gallery in the back of our mind. So today we're going to explore how yogic philosophy, especially the idea of Asmita, or false identity, and how it invites us back to who we truly are beneath that noise and that narrative. Before we jump into today's core topic, I'd love to just reach out and ask for your support by

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1:58 We would really, really appreciate it. Thank you so much. So yeah, today's conversation is basically going to be talking about this inner critic versus your true self. So the inner critic often speaks first, fast, sharply, and convincingly.

2:15 And it can sometimes say things like, who do you think you are to do this thing? Who do you think you are to teach yoga? Who do you think you are to enter into this space or to do that thing? You're not experienced enough. You know you're not good enough, You haven't learned this. Are you actually a master?

2:35 Are you actually an expert? Are you some sort of imposter? Someone else could probably do this better. You're not the right person for this. So these are all narratives. These are all stories. These are all words or maybe frequencies that have been felt by all of us at some point in time.

2:54 So just think back to a moment when you heard your inner critic loud and clear. Maybe it was recently, maybe it was today. What was actually happening? What did the critics say and how did it feel in your body? So for me, I actually had one recently.

3:10 It was yesterday. And to me, it had to do with not necessarily how stupid I am, but like, how could you make that mistake or how did you miss that, right? And I had this guilt that was kind of like filling over me. And it took me a while. I actually had to kind of journal about it and write down like, what is this strong emotional weight that I'm carrying?

3:32 And I did make an error in judgement or I didn't miss something. But like I said at the beginning of this podcast, we're all human and, you know, these things happen. But for whatever reason, the, the emotion that accompanied it was very strong and heavy and it was affecting my day. And I was just like, this is not the way to go. So I was like, I need to kind of work through this. So, you know, through conversation, I was able to identify what emotion it was,

3:56 which was guilt. And that guilt was what was, let's say, weighing me down. And I felt guilty because of something that I had done or I hadn't done properly in the past and not necessarily letting go of that. And then it kind of started to fill up.

4:12 And then guilt is a pretty low vibration. So if you felt that before, I'm sure you know exactly what that feels like that burdening, not to mention just the word guilt itself and how it's connected to just like the the legal world and the justice space. It sure has this other kind of weight to it, but that's just my personal story.

4:31 I mean, one particular example. But at the end of the day, it's the narrative. It's the kind of story subconsciously that's playing in our mind that's kind of telling us something that isn't necessarily true, that inner critic. So the true self is really what we're trying to pull up. We're trying to relive, revive back into our, let's say, consciousness.

4:52 So in yogic philosophy, the experience or this experience that we're talking about connects to Asmita, which is mistaken identity. So Asmita ASMITA happens when we mistake fleeting thoughts or roles like I'm a failure for our true self or what we call Purusha or pure consciousness.

5:17 So yoga teaches us that you are not your thoughts, you are the one who observes them. So like I did with the guilt, even though I was experiencing the emotional frequency or burdening of it, I had to get to a place where I would release that because that is not my true self.

5:34 It is just something that I'm experiencing in this moment and I can observe it. And as I observe it, and the more that I look at it, the the lighter it gets and the more it moves away from you. But let's kind of look at it from, let's say a left brain perspective or neuroscience perspective. So the amygdala, the amygdala again is part of that reptilian part of your brain, the primitive part of your brain, the survival center.

5:57 It reacts strongly to new and uncertain experiences. So it tries to protect us by creating fear based narratives. But growth doesn't come from avoiding the actual fear itself or trying to ignore it or necessarily, let's say, distract ourselves from it. He comes from recognizing that the fear exists, that it's recognizing that the fear is there, that the voice exists there, and then acknowledging it and maybe possibly even moving towards it and choosing not to

6:31 let it be the author of the story or the author of, let's say, the frequency that's being felt. So what stories does your inner critic tell you and what might you be or who might you be without them? So we can kind of dive a little bit more into that, but just kind of let that sit for a moment.

6:57 What stories does my inner critic tell me and who might I be without them? The answer is the true you, the true self you. So you are all always your true self. It's just the matter is, is there something that's kind of blinding that vision?

7:15 Is there something that's going over the eyes and stopping you from seeing that true you? And the answer is yes, every single day, probably there's always things that are kind of coming over the shades of her eyes and blocking us from that connection to our true self, that higher self.

7:30 Now this may all feel like a little woo woo in some ways, but at the end of the day, you know, your essence is pure, your essence is pure just like anyone else's essence is pure, which is what allows us to have empathy and compassion for other people when they're in different states of let's say lower or lesser frequencies where they're bothered or they're, let's say irritable or difficult to deal with.

7:54 And this is where we can kind of pull that compassion is that innately we are all the same and we're all good. We all have this true self that is basically not the inner critic or not that voice that's kind of sabotaging things from the inside. That is just a part of it that is kind of in the way. If you've ever seen that show or that that movie, excuse me, it's called Oh my God, this is going to kill me if I don't nail it on the podcast.

8:23 But basically it's the one about the emotions. It's like AI think it's like a Pixar movie inside out there. It is inside out. So you haven't seen that. It's a great little movie about emotions. There's inside out one, inside out two and, and, and I think number, well, number one is more simple.

8:38 There's only 5 emotions that they're playing with, but basically one of the emotions, anger, which is playing a role in let's say this young girl's life. And when that emotion kind of comes through, he kind of takes over the controls or the Control Center of, let's say the girls experience. But there's other, these other emotions as well. And the true self is kind of not necessarily any of those emotions.

9:05 The true self is kind of the operating system without those emotions, even though those emotions still exist. So basically what the true self is, is you could kind of argue that it's a balance between all those emotions and recognizing those emotions. But then I, I've also been to, let's say workshops and having conversations with certain yogic philosophers about your true self is actually without any of those. And there's no need to balance because the true self doesn't need to balance.

9:36 It's more so that when these other elements come in these inner critics or these emotional false identities to some degree or Asmita interrupt and influence our true self, then that's when the rebalancing needs to happen.

9:52 So just kind of know from a foundational perspective, we are always our pure selves. It's just a matter of that we lose sight of that or we lose perspective of that because we're living in this material world and there's these things that are happening to us, these things that we're experiencing, and these things that we're experiencing often interrupt that, let's say, connection to our true self.

10:17 So again, what stories does my inner critic tell me? How often does it tell me it? Is it every morning when I wake up and who might I be and who might I kind of go throughout the day as if I didn't have those with me if I just connected to that true self, that pure consciousness, and recognize that my true identity is pure?

10:41 OK, so let's kind of dive a bit more into it in a different way. Let's say some sort of emotional contrast between false identity and let's say inner wisdom. Just a different way of looking at this. So here's what's beautiful, even in the midst of the critics noise, there's another voice that's inside you. It's quieter, steadier, but it is also very real. And that is your inner wisdom.

11:05 You could even call it your intuition, if you will. So reflective, prompt something to kind of like get the juices flowing in. This one is just start to recall a moment when despite fear or doubt, you moved forward anyway.

11:24 And we had a whole series on this couple weeks ago about pushing forward or letting go. So recall a moment when you, despite the fear of the doubt, you continue to push forward anyway. Maybe you spoke up, maybe you taught a class, showed up authentically, or something else. What did it actually feel like?

11:46 What inner voice supported you so from a yoga cleanse? This is the journey of returning to self. This is returning to that inner truth, that inner wisdom, which we call Atman, or I think in some cases it's Atman, is soul the part of you that is already whole?

12:08 So Asmita, this false identity clouds that truth. But yoga, of course, gently peels back those layers. That's why we're all in the space reminding us that worth is not earned, it's just remembered your true self is already worthy, you don't need to prove your worth, which that statement is hard to actually accept, let's say energetically.

12:37 So from again, the neuroscience left brain perspective, every time we act from an inner trust instead of fear, we strengthen the neural pathways within our mind linked to resilience, linked to authenticity and linked to self compassion.

12:55 So over time, this actually becomes the new baseline. This becomes the new, let's say, default program that kind of runs through it. But like most things, we kind of need to train these elements within our system. Kind of like when you go to the gym where you, you know, you take a lot of yoga classes and you're practicing certain positions, certain movements, certain activations or ranges of motion, these neural pathways, which allows us to kind of do

13:19 these things again and again. And again. In order to actually refine the neural pathway to be effective in the change, we need to kind of do it consistently to build this, call it new pattern or new habit. So in order for us to kind of, let's say, tap into more of our inner wisdom, our true self versus tapping into that inner critic or this false identity, we need to really actively do something about it on a consistent basis so that it becomes the new baseline. And recognizing that it's going

13:55 to be difficult, but we need to pull that switch. And I think starting up every morning is probably a great way to kind of get into that because when you first wake up in the morning, I mean, if your defaults unconscious or subconscious pattern is to kind of just go through the motions throughout the day, then of course the neural pathways that are the most, let's say, defined or the strongest are the ones that are going to take over. And if that is your inner

14:19 critic, if that is the voice inside your head telling you that you're not worthy, that you're an imposter, that you can't do this or whatever story might be playing out, then of course that's going to win the race. So maybe it is starting the day with a little bit of shift in whatever way that might be. Maybe you have something currently that is actually taking over a bit of, let's say, the inner voice of the inner thought.

14:45 Maybe there's a project or something going on, or you're moving in a particular direction or there's decisions that you need to make and you're having a hard time making those decisions because you have this like, you know, I, I kind of think of the devil and the Angel on the, the shoulders.

15:00 It's kind of actually pretty similar. It's actually a great example that I think about it out loud. The devil on the shoulder and the Angel on the other shoulder. So let's say the right shoulder, Angel, left shoulder, the devil, even the terms devil, an Angel. Like what are those terms even mean from a religious perspective?

15:16 Sure, there's something there, but at the end of the day, it's a frequency of energy that we embody. Is there actually someone there talking to us on our shoulder? Well, maybe if that's the way that you interpret it and that's what works for you, or it's just that you have a certain energy or certain perspective that you can tap into on that right shoulder, quote UN quote, Angel, or you can let the left shoulder devil or demon kind of take over to run the show.

15:48 So these neural pathways, we kind of need to not only just form new ones, but we need to really solidify them as the baseline in order to move forward with that perspective in mind. And it does take time. So here's a somatic anchor, somatic mean connecting to the body a little bit more. So if you can and you're with me, place one hand on your belly and one hand on your heart, I'll do it as well. And just start to feel your breath moving through both places, connecting with your

16:28 body. And just feel the breath expand and through the chest and through the belly and let it out. And then just say as you're breathing either softly to yourself or just thinking the words, I am more than my fear. I am rooted in who I am.

17:01 I am not my fear. I am rooted in my true self. I am more than my fear, I am rooted in who I am. So this short little breathing activity with a little mini mantra, there is a great somatic anchor to start your day or to use throughout the day. So your inner, your inner critic is not your actual truth. It's just the it's kind of like a weather pattern that's passing through temporarily and shifting things. And underneath it always is your grounded self, your true self, your inner wisdom, or your

17:56 intuition. So reflective invitations here is what roles, labels, or thoughts am I mistaking for my true self? Who do I have an identity as? An imposter, Someone who's a fraud? Someone who's not good enough? Subconsciously, there's something there, and why not give it the attention so that we can let it fade away and replace it with a new one?

18:28 Maybe your style is to journal about it so you can do that. What roles, labels, or thoughts am I mistaking for my true self? Maybe in this moment, maybe at some particular time, if you write those down and give it attention, it's it's a great start to kind of let those process through.

18:46 Here's another one. Where has my quieter wisdom already guided me in the past? Where has my true self, my inner wisdom, my intuition guided me in the past in such a way that I was like, yes, that feels like me. That feels aligned now that one might take a little bit more time to kind of dive into. So you can use these at another time to kind of journal. Maybe you can even write them down. For now, we'll put them in the show notes. Great little reflective prompts.

19:20 So where has my quieter wisdom or my inner wisdom already guided me successfully? So bringing that energy back in, bringing in that frequency of let's say, that inner wisdom or that true self to replace those roles and labels are thoughts that were mistakenly taking over the true self.

19:46 And then how can I choose to return that inner wisdom or that true self into a place of knowing, Knowing that that is the truth, even when the critic is loud? So just even writing about it, just even talking about it, even me just saying the words and you absorbing the words, it's already creating, excuse me, an element of that awareness, the knowing the truth that exists there.

20:18 Now, the truth can often feet us. It can kind of go away from the mind. As things happen, life happens, things in front of us happen. We absorb different frequencies, we absorb different energies, we're around different people. You know, we have certain triggers and things that kind of fire us up, fear and otherwise.

20:37 And while that's all very valid and true and, you know, it has certain challenges to the body and the nervous system, which I've talked many times before, and how some of those changes happen from a neurological perspective.

20:47 Yes, of course we have empathy and compassion for ourselves that we might not be able to like nail it right away. But it doesn't mean that we should just give up and throw our arms up and be like, this is this is it. If we actively want to choose to move through this and let's say put aside this inner critic, put aside this negative self talk or this voice and replace it with the true self or a intuitive self or an inner wisdom, we need to take the actions to do that.

21:17 So thinking about things is not necessarily always the best way. I think actually journaling in them is one of the best ways. I'm not a big journaling person, but I do write some things down South. There's a lot of power in taking your body and kind of like, say, releasing or expressing.

21:35 And expressing is also something that's very difficult to do for a lot of people. But journaling is a form of expression. I mean, saying things out loud or talking to different people about it can also be helpful. The difference there is that when you're talking to someone else, you're connecting to someone else.

21:49 There may be influence from that individual, that energetic frequency may be influencing yours while you're kind of in this vulnerable raw state of trying to, let's say, pull things up and kind of reorganize the structure.

22:04 So doing journaling or being in your, in your own space while you kind of go through these processes of reflecting on your inner critic and who it might be and what kind of, let's say identity or voice tends to kind of come through.

22:18 That's a great way to kind of start to identify this non true self false identity or what we call Asmita. And then from there you can kind of like almost create the building blocks for the structure to replace that language, replace that respect perspective.

22:34 And again, early mornings is a great time to do that. So let's kind of go through and recap this a little bit before we kind of close off today's podcast episode. So before we close, let's gather the heart of this conversation into a few simple takeaways. Basically, so your inner critic is not your enemy, it is your protective voice.

23:00 It is there for a reason, but it's not your ultimate truth. Asmita False identity reminds us that we sometimes mistake passing thoughts for our identity. So as Mita reminds us that sometimes we mistake passing thoughts as our identity and then they take over.

23:25 But the real you is steady, clear and whole. The grounded you, the loving you, the connected you. So growth happens when you notice the critic without believing everything it says, like the passing wind or the weathering storm. You may notice it.

23:43 It's hard to not notice, but it doesn't become you. So each small act of self trust strengthens your deeper resilience. Every small act. And if we start the morning with that small act, whatever that may be for you, affirmations, journaling, meditation, mantras, maybe just a reminder, a note on the wall, that's going to help too. Build that resilience, create that neural pathway, and through continued practice, strengthen it. So you are already enough even

24:25 as you continue to grow. Of course, you don't have to be fearless to move forward either. You just have to listen a little more to the wisdom within, maybe the wisdom within my voice. But you know what? Maybe it's just the wisdom within your voice because you already know the truth.

24:42 It's just sometimes a little clouded, harder to see. So you don't have to silence this inner critic completely. You just have to remember that you are not your fear. You are not your doubt. You're simply deeper, wiser and truer. Growth doesn't require you to be perfect. It only asks you to return to your truth one small breath at a time.

25:11 So thank you for being a part of today's conversation. Thank you for honoring your journey exactly as it unfolds. Hopefully this was helpful for you and it tapped into a couple areas of your being and allows you to kind of find something that you can maybe shift or adjust or help yourself with.

25:31 So let's close today with a few breaths and a possibly a few mantras to just anchor today's reflections into your body. So wherever you are, soften your gaze. Gently close the eyes if that feels comfortable for you. Relax your shoulders, relax your jaw, relax your belly.

25:53 Take a slow, steady inhale through the nose. If you can take a full releasing exhale through the mouth on your next inhale, silently or softly say to yourself, I am not my thoughts, I am the one who sees. One more time, big inhale.

26:27 I am not my thoughts, I am the one who sees. Inhale again. I remember who I am one more time. Inhale, I remember who I am. One last breath together. Inhale. I am enough exactly as I am. One more I am enough exactly as I am. Thank you so much for tuning in this week. Remember to connect with that true self as often as you need to, starting off your day.

27:34 Throughout the day a couple bonus little reflective prompts which we'll throw into the show notes, But that's definitely been a a big take away for a lot of people over the last few episodes so I'll just read a few of them here.

27:48 So when does my inner critic speak the loudest and what is it actually trying to protect? What evidence do I have that I am growing even when fear is present? If I trusted my true self, let's say 5% more today, what small choice might I take? So I'll leave you with those.

28:22 There's a few more there, so check them out in the show notes. Otherwise, reach out to me. Let me know if you have any thoughts, any feedback on today's episode. It was helpful for you. Or if you have a different perspective that you'd love to share, I'd love to hear it. Otherwise, thank you again.

28:37 Have a beautiful day and we'll speak to you and see you next week. Take care for now. Before you go, let me tell you about the Going proyoga.com platform. This is an online learning platform that is suited for anyone who's interested in learning about yoga. Whether you've done a 200 hour teacher training and you want to supplement your own learning, continue to educate yourself and grow, or you just are getting started with yoga. You're interested in the topic

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