I Can't Hear God’s Voice | Learning the Language of the Soul

To hear God’s voice, tune into the Soul’s Instinctual Consciousness and Symbolic Coherence. Cultivate a literary mind, slowing down to interpret symbolic nudges rather than literal clichés. Jungian Psychology’s Enantiodromia shows how the psyche balances extremes, revealing the Soul’s wisdom.

You know that feeling when you're stuck, trying to make sense of decades of psychological and spiritual advice that never seems to get you anywhere? It's like staring into a mirror that distorts what you truly need to see. The inner dialogue is vague, abstract, and disconnected. The language feels bloated, literal, and detached from the subjective, ethereal nature of your inner world. The well-meaning jargon only serves to obscure the truth you’re searching for. It’s as if the answers are right there, just beyond your grasp, but every time you try to reach them, the words get in the way.

It’s exhausting. And worse, it’s disheartening. You can feel that deep-down knowing, that part of you brimming with wisdom, drive, and potential, but it’s buried under years of overcomplicated thoughts, clichés, and the weight of presumed truths. The result?

Shame.

Guilt.

A nagging sense that you’ve somehow failed, that you should be further along, more enlightened. Yet no matter how hard you try, the truth still feels elusive, the spark of enthusiasm just out of reach.

To hear the Soul’s voice, we must tune into it with a unique sensitivity.

What if, instead of all this mental noise and spiritual certainty, there was a way to cut through the clutter and get back to the core of what truly matters? A way to reconnect with your authentic self, free from distractions and confusion? Let’s explore how to turn that distorted mirror into a looking glass and rediscover the clarity waiting for you.

Adapting to the Soul's Language: A Struggle for the Literal Mind

  To the language of the Soul—our Instinctual Conscience—can be as challenging as a writer trying to adapt to a new task by mastering style and literary techniques. The internal dialogue of the Soul, much like writing, demands attention to the nuances of style and technique, but here, the focus is on cultivating a literary mind, free from the distractions of self-evident conveniences and implicit ideologies that distort the soul’s message.

Most people are not taught how to listen to their inner voice, and like writing, we may often be unaware of the basics, which is the art of slowing down, a style of curiosity, and a language of symbolism—not diabolic literalism.

To hear the Soul’s voice, we must tune into it with a unique sensitivity. Our mind, like a writer, can learn to adjust and adopt the style and tone of the Instinctual Conscience—the psyche or Soul. The Instinctual Conscience is the foundational dynamic force that shapes our emotional and soulful processes, orchestrating the gentle nudges of wisdom. Yet, it is often clouded by internalized stories rooted in unresolved trauma and the ego’s inflation of internal projections, masquerading as the divine.

Much like a distorted mirror, the egoic mind’s projections obscure the true window into the Soul’s wisdom, making it difficult to access the clarity and insight inherent in our deeper instinctual selves. Just as a writer must strip away the unnecessary in the editing process, we too must remove the layers of maladaptive scripts and internal projections so we might be able to reconnect with the pure, authentic voice of our Soul.

The Struggle with Formal Training for the Soul’s Voice

Imagine, trying to learn a language without formal guidance. It’s like a fighter trying to master Mixed Martial Arts without proper instruction in the basics: footwork, conditioning, distancing, breathing, and so on.

Without the basics of a literary mindset, we can miss the subtle movements of intuition and synchronicities.

The same can be said of listening to the Soul. Without the basics of a literary mindset, we can miss the subtle movements of intuition and synchronicities. Most people are not taught how to listen to their inner voice, and like writing, we may often be unaware of the basics, which is the art of slowing down, a style of curiosity, and a language of symbolism—not diabolic literalism.

The Gap in Understanding

As someone who has worked closely with others, I’ve noticed that only a small fraction of people really understands how to navigate the depths of Soul. Most people, though capable of hearing the siren’s call of the psyche at times, do so with difficulty.

The Soul’s language is often reduced to knee-jerk clichés, parroted axioms, and well-rehearsed scripts...

We’re conditioned to pursue external outcomes through academic, social, and professional achievements, while the crucial practice of listening to and trusting the Soul is neglected. In this folly, the Soul’s language is often reduced to knee-jerk clichés, parroted axioms, and well-rehearsed scripts, all of which drown out deeper intuitions with their automated chatter, ultimately steering our lives onto the rocks of despair.

The Limits of Following a Formula

Just as the formulaic structure of academic writing stifles real creative expression, our Instinctual Conscience can also be overshadowed by societal formulas—rules of how we “should” act, think, or feel. When the mind tries to make sense of the Soul’s language, it often defaults to predictable patterns.

People follow conventional, safe scripts in their inner lives as they would in writing: react in a way that’s “correct,” adopt popular opinions, and avoid confrontation with uncomfortable truths, especially about their own motivations.

People follow conventional, safe scripts in their inner lives as they would in writing: react in a way that’s “correct,” adopt popular opinions, and avoid confrontation with uncomfortable truths, especially about their own motivations. This formula, however, doesn’t allow us to fully hear what Soul is trying to communicate.

The Reality of Internal Constraints

Even if someone possesses profound internal wisdom or an understanding of themselves, the external world often fails to recognize or appreciate it. We can possess deep truths, but without a direct and accurate expression of them, they remain locked inside. It’s as though the best writers are edited by a critic within that demands reductive theories, mainstream appeal, and adherence to established norms.

Feedback from Others

Just as writers need feedback to understand and refine their craft, we too must seek feedback from others—and most importantly, from our Soul, which desires to comment on our current egoic position. We achieve this through careful reflection, prayer as listening to God, and diligent attentiveness.

It is often in sharing our thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others—and with ourselves—that we begin to discern whether we are aligned with the guidance of our Soul. Without this dynamic feedback loop, the Soul's voice can remain elusive.

Overcoming the Inner Judgment

The Soul speaks in ways that often conflict with what society deems "normal,” “practical," or algorithmically certain.

Just like there is a need to overcome the fear of external judgment when sharing our writing, we must also confront the fear of judgment when listening to our deeper instincts. The Soul speaks in ways that often conflict with what society deems "normal,” “practical," or algorithmically certain. Yet, to ignore it out of fear of judgment is to silence our own authenticity. Whether it’s through writing or the language of the Soul, the willingness to be seen is essential. Only by embracing our true selves can we grow.

At times, the mind may overcomplicate the Instinctual Conscience’s message, adding layers of unexamined doctrines, implicit ideologies, and unnecessary analysis.

Simplifying the Complex Inner Life

At times, the mind may overcomplicate the Instinctual Conscience’s message, adding layers of unexamined doctrines, implicit ideologies, and unnecessary analysis. Just as complex academic writing can obscure meaning, overthinking can make our instinctual knowledge hard to hear. The key to writing is to simplify. Like writing, stripping away the unnecessary distractions, that are laden with fear, judgment, and insecurity, leaves space for the Soul’s voice to come through clearly.

Learning to Listen with Precision

This requires shifting from thinking to feeling, from logic to intuition, and from certainty to instinct.

Just as writers hone their ability to listen to the rhythm of language, we can learn to listen to the subtle rhythms of our Soul. This requires shifting from thinking to feeling, from logic to intuition, and from certainty to instinct. It's about allowing the Soul’s language to flow through us without resistance, understanding its smallest implications, its lyrical flow, and its subtle messages.

Like any skill, learning to hear the voice of the Soul takes practice. It’s a long-term journey that doesn’t happen overnight. The more we commit to listening, the clearer and more authentic the voice of the Soul becomes.

It requires patience, humility, and the courage to embrace uncertainty, as well as the willingness to unlearn old thought patterns that block our deeper, instinctual wisdom. Though the process can be frustrating and misunderstood at times, the rewards—profound self-understanding and clarity—are immeasurable.

Mastering the Inner Craft

To truly listen to the Soul, we attune ourselves to the subtleties of its call—why it demands our attention, the specific thoughts it prompts, the feelings it stirs, and the instinctual pulse that drives us to action.

The more we refine our inner awareness, the clearer the messages from our deeper self become. These subtle shifts—whether a slight tension or a whisper of clarity—are the language of the Soul. In these moments, I am certain that God is speaking to us.

Improving Over Time

Learning to listen to the language of the Soul isn’t something that happens overnight; it’s a process that unfolds over time. Through consistent practice, we deepen our connection to ourselves, hearing our instincts with increasing clarity. Just as a writer refines their craft over the years, we too refine our ability to listen to the voice of our Soul.

There’s a reason the Soul, as depicted in the Greek myth of Psyche, is symbolized with butterfly wings. The butterfly’s meandering flight, unpredictable patterns, and spontaneous impulses are what captivate us.

It’s also important to understand that Soulfulness isn’t about rushing to a destination. The Soul is a lover who wants the dance with the beloved to last as long as possible. There’s a reason the Soul, as depicted in the Greek myth of Psyche, is symbolized with butterfly wings. The butterfly’s meandering flight, unpredictable patterns, and spontaneous impulses are what captivate us.

Building a Community of Self-Listenership

Just as writers thrive in communities of shared feedback and improvement, we must also create spaces where we can nurture this internal connection. It’s a place where we can help each other grow in our ability to listen and trust our instincts, encouraging one another to deepen our inner practice.

A Journey Toward Inner Revelation

The journey of learning to listen to the Soul is not a quick fix, but a long, continuous process of listening, refining, and trusting. We must be patient with ourselves as we build this skill.

To the Greeks, truth was not something to be learned, but a beautiful awareness of what lies hidden within.

The Greek goddess of truth, Aletheia, means "the absence of forgetfulness" or "un-forgetfulness," derived from the Greek a- meaning "not" and lethe meaning "forgetfulness." This is why she is often depicted as nude and emerging from a deep well—symbolizing the unveiling of hidden truths. To the Greeks, truth was not something to be learned, but a beautiful awareness of what lies hidden within.

In the end, it’s not just about hearing the Soul’s voice, but about living in the tension between deep contentment and the lofty heights of desire. And just like a writer who finally discovers their unique voice, we too must trust that our Soul will reveal its distinct song God made just for us.

About the Author

Michael C Walker, a chaplain at Jaguar Marigold Chapel, combines Christian Mysticism, Depth Psychology, Affective Neuroscience, Classical Studies, and Dream Mapping to delve into the human psyche. With 20+ years of experience, he pioneers the fusion of spiritual wisdom and scientific exploration. His innovative approach to Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) provides insights for Self-Analysis, divine purpose, and authenticity.