Beware the “knowledge selling”…
May 2023
I am seeing many more people turning back into and toward their Still Small Voice. It heartens me that as a society we are moving away, not just from materialism (because that’s not the problem, just a symptom) but unconsciousness.
However, I’m noticing that the new mode “Listen to yourself, listen to the voice inside” is coming with a heavy dose of:
- Here’s how to listen. Here’s what you do. Here’s a list of 10 things to help.
Which is all wrapped up in lots of absurd marketing malarkey.
It’s crazy.
Interior wisdom (listening to yourself) cannot be sold or bought.
Let me say it again…
Interior wisdom (listening to yourself) cannot be sold or bought.
For those in the back!
Interior wisdom (listening to yourself) cannot be sold or bought.
So what is really going on?
First, I want to acknowledge that there are good things coming from this. We seem to be at a collective point where people are burning out on the “This is how you should do this. I’m the expert” model that has prevailed for what it feels like my entire lifetime and the lifetimes of my parents and grandparents and probably their parents before them (meaning: way too many years.)
Thank God because that model didn’t work. Even if we try to democratize it and make it accessible to everyone (hah! now that we’ve had a good laugh otherwise we would cry), it’s not going to work.
There is more “This is what worked for me but here’s what to think about and how I look at it.” Yay! Honesty and Transparency!
It’s great because people are pivoting their platforms to this “new way”. (“This is the way.” Any other Mandalorian fans out there? I had no idea I would like it as much as I did.)
Changes in heart and intentions. Wonderful. Being honest in going for it. I’m cheering you on. I’m happy to listen. (Okay, read. Let’s be honest, I want to read.)
The “take a good close look” view…
Unfortunately, there are others. For them “this honesty thing” is the next thing to “try” in the line of blogs, social media, podcasts, videos, facebook groups and all the other trends that come along with those tools. You can almost track the internet trends to the other trends like cupcakes and charcuterie boards (so much work and it’s all messy instantly. I. just. can’t.)
All of those things are great tools (and great food.)
It’s just that the Still Small Voice, YOUR Still Small Voice is not a commodity.
It’s not something that can be bought or sold or hyped up on a Facebook post or video. It’s not a trend like pancake cereal or the newest Krispy Kreme doughnut collaboration. (Can you tell I’m a food person?)
To reiterate: there are many people out there who have been honest, open and focused on being authentic and real from the get go as they pivot.
Some are not. Some are using it as a tool.
One could argue that the source doesn’t matter as long as the knowledge is shared and gotten to people who want it.
I could not disagree more.
Knowledge and wisdom from a well-intentioned, well-researched, well-experienced and honest source runs circles around just basic salesy information.
Dr. Google vs. Trained neurosurgeon? Is this even a question?
There are many people and sources who have been sharing knowledge and wisdom from these places from their beginning. And I assure you they don’t have a million likes and probably aren’t going viral on YouTube and Tick-Tock (is that even how you spell it?)
Because inner wisdom cannot be commodified. You can share and tell stories – but you cannot sell it. And there’s a lot of nice, well-meaning (and some not so much well-meaning) people “selling” out there.
My request
Be careful – listen to YOUR own Still Small Voice. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and for clarification when and however much you need it. Question the person’s intent. I have no problem with people making money and offering their assistance or knowledge, there’s a great reason for it and I’m all for it.
But we all know the funky feeling when we feel it – listen to The Still Small Voice – don’t ignore it. Especially when working with The Still Small Voice. 😉