On Multi-Tasking, Multi-Personalities, And The Inner Journey

By Scott Kalechstein

(The following is a true story except for the parts I made up)

Yippee! I'm driving home with a laptop computer. True to its name, it sits on my lap as I mostly keep my eyes on the road. My thoughts and feelings turn to the lack of gigs on my schedule, a frequent occurrence these days. As of this typing, my work life is slow, slower than it has been in the eighteen years I've been a full time transformational troubadour. I am currently rich in a currency that many in this culture crave… time. Doesn't that sound marvelous, having an abundance of time on your hands to be with yourself? It ain't no picnic, America! Let me tell you about it.

The challenge in having free time is facing my mind with fewer distractions. What an incessant chatterbox I have inside my head!

Still Small Voice: This period is a grand opportunity to deal directly with that chatterbox of yours and transform it into a more peaceful place to be. I will guide you in that process. Your job is to make peace your highest priority. That means cultivating a place within where stillness can be welcomed. And that means sitting still.

Ego: Sitting still? Are you trying to get me to meditate? I hate meditation! What if I fall into a black hole and never come out? Or worse, I could come out all soft and sweet and stress-free. How would I manage to manage in this crazy world without stress? Come on, now! And another thing: not being busy is making it all too obvious where my suffering comes from, and I've had enough of this ‘looking within and taking responsibility' stuff. I need someone else to blame. And I need to do, do, do... something. I can't just be, for heaven's sake!

Still Small Voice: Yes you can! There is nothing more important than enjoying your own company and being present and at peace with what is. It's the foundation for all success, service and happiness in the world.

Ego: Are you promoting inner peace again? That's boring as hell! What I want is the adrenaline rush of a new external obsession, and I want it now! Although I have to admit that adrenaline is getting very hard to enjoy lately with a loud-mouthed still small voice badgering me to get quiet and go even deeper on this ridiculous inner journey! No offense!

Still Small Voice: None taken. And by the way, you only perceive me as loud-mouthed when you haven't been listening to my whispers.

(Ego jumps up and down now, arms flailing, and shouts something for all to hear, and my inner censor/editor is letting this one through for the purpose of catharsis.)

Ego: GROWTH SUCKS! I REFUSE TO DO ANY MORE OF IT, AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!

(Note the capitals, an undisputed sign of computer venting. You might say we're word processing! Yuch...)

Scott: So, God, what do I do? What do I do with my ego? What do I do with my life? Please, universe, give me a creative project, certainty about the future, a bold, five year mission… anything but day to day existence with the shadowy sub-personalities that reside in my head, anything but the task before me of taming my out-of-control mind, loving myself as I am, and being present to the mystery without rushing to control!

Still Small Voice: I hear you venting, Scott, and it's good. Highly therapeutic! Let it out until you are spent. Let me remind you, when you have calmed down, that your soul has called for this time and space in your schedule for an exciting reason: you are longing to create connection between the various parts of your psyche, and you are ripe and ready for solidarity and unification within the Self. All fragments need love to heal. Embrace them and they integrate and unify into wholeness. That's when life becomes a consistent joy. That's when you will be able to be peaceful inside and busy in the world at the same time.

The fragmentation of the Self has seemingly taken on a life of its own, with some clever survival strategies to safeguard its existence. A big one for me is multi-tasking, which successfully insures that, with my attention divided, I am not fully present to anything, especially myself. Under the guise of saving time, I was seduced into multi-tasking by the following paid advertisement:

Ego: Why simply prepare dinner, when you can be making a call using your hands-free phone and watching the weather channel at the same time? Why simply run errands, when you can be eating lunch and returning phone calls while driving?

Still Small Voice: If all these new multi-tasking behaviors are designed to save time, then why are you rushing around more than ever? Where is all the time you are supposedly saving? And how come you can't even seem to slow down and take your time when you have it?

Ego: Good questions! I promise to devote some time to them in a few hours while at the gym, on the treadmill, checking my e-mail.

Still Small Voice: When you are letting the ego run the show, Scott, you are always on a treadmill! But let me remind you that even there, you can begin to dismantle your frantic addiction to adrenaline by breathing slowly and consciously, deliberately and deeply while engaged in whatever multi-tasks you are doing. Your breath will take you back to being present, and ultimately back to sanity.

Ego: Sanity? Are you're implying that I'm insane?

Still Small Voice: Yes, you are indeed quite mad, as are most members of this modern culture at this time in history. But don't take it personally, for that's where madness starts. The good news is that you and many others are engaged in the process of becoming sane. You're becoming conscious of your disowned fragments of self and integrating them back into wholeness. You have committed on a soul level to the inner journey, which means that your victimhood days are over. You have lost almost all interest in looking outside yourself and pretending that your suffering or your happiness are created by anything other than your own choices, thoughts, and beliefs. Keep your sense of humor about all this, Scott, and celebrate each step taken towards a freer mind and a simpler life. For instance, you didn't use your car phone once today while writing this article, and you carefully stopped typing to look up while changing lanes. Now, that's progress!


Scott Kalechstein, in addition to enjoying a rich fantasy life, winds his way through the great big mental institution of the world giving humorous and heart-centered concerts, talks and workshops, as well as presenting at conferences Contact him at (415) 721-2954, or e-mail him at scott@scottsongs.com. Check out his music and read more inspiration at http://www.scottsongs.com

SCOTT'S SCHEDULE

FAIRFAX, MARIN COUNTY, CA

Almost Every Thursday Night-

My partner Venus and I lead a weekly drop-in support group for both singles and couples called It's All About Relationships. All are welcome. Visit http://www.innerwings.net/workshops.html to read about what we cover, or call me at 415-721-2954 for more info.

December 30- I am having a Holiday Party in my Fairfax home, open to all.
There will be much merriment, singing, and supporting each other in our goals and dreams for 2007.

AUBURN, CA

January 14, 2007- I will be speaking and singing at Unity of Auburn. After the services I will be leading a workshop about self-love called, The Greatest Love of All. Call 530-888-6489 for more info.


There are many dates open and available in my 2007 schedule. If you would like to discuss how easy it is to bring me to your neck of the woods and set me loose on your community, church, friends, etc., please call me at 415 721 2954 to talk about it. Or email me at scott@scottsongs.com if you prefer typing over chatting.

Holiday Sanity- From Madness To Gladness

By Scott Kalechstein

Ah, the holiday season is upon us, a time when Mother Nature draws us inward and Mother Culture draws us shopping. What will it be this year? Will I pass through the holidays unconsciously, in a frenzy of obligation, hurry and adrenaline, or will I let myself slow down and take it easy like the rest of the natural world is doing at this time of year? I feel committed to staying attuned to the inward call of winter soulstice and the corresponding needs of my soul...to slow down the pace, nurture my beingness and replenish the well within.

A close friend of mine has a birthday that is celebrated in December, although he was really born in July. He is somewhat of a celebrity, a cultural icon that most civilized folks know of, admire and sometimes feel intimidated by. He has been a regular in the supermarket tabloids for two thousand years, even before supermarkets were invented. I've noticed, like with many Hollywood stars, people make him out to be larger than life. They put him on a pedestal, somehow hoping that his life can save theirs, and like to fixate over the minute details of what he said and did. His stage name is Jesus, but his friends from the old neighborhood call him Jeshua Ben Joseph.

The most famous role of his career has been Prince of Peace, Savior of the World. (When writing the script, the Director realized that the part was far too big to be given to just one, so he cast every human being to star equally in the role. Alas, most people are so convinced they're not worthy of an audition, they don't realize they got the part!) Jeshua, after retiring from show business in a glorious spectacle of emotion, now works tirelessly behind the scenes, whispering lines to the rest of the cast. He guides his fellow performers to choose peace over drama, love over stage fright, and comedy over tragedy. He nudges us, when we finally become willing to listen to a director other than our egos, to step into our appointed roles and play our parts to the max.

Jeshua does not appreciate the Academy of Christianity giving him the Oscar year after year for Best Savior. He would much rather share the statue with Moses, Buddha, The Dalhi Lama, Oprah Winfrey, Robin Williams, me and you. And he would rather not have so much fuss made over him. In a recent and rare appearance on Letterman, Jeshua had this to say: "David, people get the wrong idea about me. I just want to give the world a Peace of my mind! That's all. I didn't ask for all these religions to spring up and make such a big deal of it all. I'm basically a simple, down-to-earth kind of guy. In fact, I came down to earth to spread joy! Just like everyone, I've had a few moments here and there on the cross, but I've laughed far more that I've suffered. Please tell those churches to take all those pictures of me off their walls. How would you like it if they framed you having a horrendous hair day and decided that was the image the world should remember you by? Oh, and another thing: if people want to celebrate my birthday, I'd like to see them giving each other more presence! Simply being present with an open heart is the greatest gift you can give another. Slow down, ease up on the material madness and get into the spirit of the holidays. And for Christ's sake (literally speaking), lighten up! Life is too eternal to be taken seriously!"

Thrilled that Jesus was speaking so freely, David encouraged him to continue. Jeshua got excited, "People think of me as not having political ties, but actually I'm quite politically active. I'm pro-choice, pro life, and anti-right. That's right, anti-right! I want people, all people, to give up this business of being right and to focus on compassion. And another thing..." At that point David had to interrupt and break for some commercials.

When they got back on the air Jeshua asked if he could have a minute for his own commercial. An 800 number flashed across the screen and Jesus explained that this was his new pager number, a modern way for humanity to call him up and fire away a question, concern or prayer. He can answer over ten billion calls at the same time! Explaining further, he said, "Traditional churches lead people to believe that to be close to me you have to pay money and have exclusive membership in their club. I want everyone to know it's easier than you think. In fact, it's what you think that makes it hard! Just try this: close your eyes, take some breaths, get quiet inside, and dial 1-800-ASK-JESUS. I'll call you right back. Don't worry, I've already got your number, and my dial-up speed is faster than DSL and cable combined. But you've got to believe you are worthy of having a connection with me. Otherwise, there will be too much static on your end, and there will appear to be a receiver off the hook. If that happens, remind yourself to open your heart to receiving, and repeat the call. If you ever get a busy signal, you are the one that's too busy. As I've said once or twice before, I am with you always. And I can afford to keep my promises. I'm not running for anything!"

Jeshua then shared his plans to start up a web site for his multi-level marketing company called, The Kingdom. With his upline the products are heavenly and, of course, there is unlimited prophet potential. If you are interested in becoming a distributor, here's some great news. He's already got you signed up! Just seek ye first The Kingdom, and stay attuned within.


Scott Kalechstein serves as a counselor, coach, minister, inspirational speaker, recording artist and modern day troubadour. He travels through the United States, Canada and Europe giving concerts, talks and workshops, as well as presenting at conferences. Scott can be reached at (415) 721-2954, or you may e-mail him at scott@scottsongs.com. His web site http://www.scottsongs.com is an inspiring and playful place to visit. Go there to sample songs from his CD's.