Scattered Hati Bikes

Sender: Nur Salim Ismail

TRIBUN-SULBAR.COM - The progress of time, among other things, is marked by the overwhelming flow of information and the pressure of fast-paced living. In such circumstances, modern humans face a complex dilemma: how to find peace in the midst of ceaseless waves of thought?

Many of us are trapped in external noise that captures our attention. Yet ironically, we often fail to listen to the whispers of our own heart.

In fact, internal communication, which is the dialogue that occurs between a person and themselves, is the main foundation in maintaining mental health, making wise decisions, and building quality interpersonal relationships.

This phenomenon becomes increasingly relevant when we realize that psychological disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression are on the rise.

The WHO data for 2023 shows that more than 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression.

One of the main factors is the failure in managing healthy internal communication.

The disruption is closely related to how individuals face inner conflicts, express their thoughts and emotions, and how they accept and interpret life experiences.

Cognitive psychology explains internal communication as a mental process in which we engage in dialogue with ourselves. This process can include reflection, contemplation, or self-talk (talking to oneself).

When internal communication takes place in harmony, individuals are able to control their emotions, make wise decisions, and build strong self-confidence.

However, the modern reality is far from this ideal. We live in a multitasking society where thoughts never cease. In this context, internal communication easily breaks and scatters due to external or internal distractions.

The term "self-fragmentation" introduced by existential philosophers such as Søren Kierkegaard and continued by modern psychologists like Carl Jung describes how an individual feels divided between various conflicting inner voices, between desires, social norms, and the realities of life.

This fragmentation leads to cognitive dissonance. A psychological condition where a person experiences inconsistency between beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.

In such conditions, internal communication becomes a source of stress and anxiety, as dialogue with oneself turns into a exhausting battleground.

Since ancient Greek times, philosophy has provided important foundations regarding self-awareness and internal communication. The concept of "Gnothi seauton" or "Know yourself," emphasizes that understanding oneself is a prerequisite for achieving happiness and wisdom.

This view believes that happiness (eudaimonia) is not just about momentary pleasure, but is achieved through the harmony between thought, feeling, and action.

In Stoicism, a philosophical school, one interesting theme is proposed: the importance of 'ataraxia'.

This is understood as inner peace achieved by controlling emotions and accepting reality as it is. Stoicism teaches that humans can focus on things that can be controlled and let go of desires for things beyond control.

Until internal communication becomes a means to reframe perspectives and maintain mental balance.

Epikurus is famous for his teachings on the pursuit of happiness through the reduction of pain (aponia).

Ia mengajarkan bahwa ketenangan batin hanya dapat diraih dengan komunikasi internal yang jernih, tanpa gangguan kecemasan berlebihan. Ia menulis bahwa ketakutan dan kekhawatiran sering kali adalah produk pikiran yang tidak terkontrol, dan dengan ‘dialog’ batin yang sehat, seseorang dapat melepaskan diri dari belenggu tersebut.

The role of self-talk

In the contemporary era, psychology has developed the concept of positive self-talk as one of the main techniques for improving internal communication. Self-talk is an internal dialogue that serves as a tool to transform negative thought patterns into positive ones, increase motivation, and manage stress.

Research by psychologist Donald Meichenbaum indicates that positive self-talk plays a crucial role in cognitive therapy to help patients overcome trauma and anxiety. Conversely, negative self-talk that continuously criticizes oneself actually worsens psychological conditions.

Internal communication also plays a big role in the decision-making process. Daniel Kahneman in his book "Thinking, Fast and Slow" outlines two human thinking systems: the fast system that is intuitive and emotional, and the slow system that is analytical and rational. Healthy inner dialogue integrates both of these systems, so the decisions made are not impulsive and full of regret.

Room for Self Dialogue

The big question we need to answer is: how can we build healthy internal communication in an era filled with distractions and pressures?

First, we need to realize that internal communication is not just a dialogue of thoughts, but also involves emotional awareness and self-acceptance. This is where positive psychology and the mindfulness approach come into play.

Mindfulness practice teaches individuals to be fully present in the moment, observing thoughts without judgment, thereby minimizing self-fragmentation and inner conflict.

Secondly, the approach of Sufism that is rich in spiritual values can become a source of inspiration. The concept of muhasabah—continuous and honest self-reflection—is a Sufi way to cleanse the soul and harmonize internal communication. Even the concept Man ‘arafa Nafsahu Faqad ‘arafa Rabbahu (Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord) shows the connection between self-awareness and the spiritual dimension.

Third, in communication science, building awareness of 'metacommunication' (communication about communication) at the intrapersonal level becomes important.

We need to learn to 'speak' to ourselves with a gentle, honest, and constructive language. This skill not only improves mental health but also enhances the quality of social interactions.

In social contexts, healthy internal communication makes a person more empathetic and able to communicate effectively with others.

On the contrary, individuals experiencing inner dissonance tend to struggle with building harmonious relationships and are prone to experiencing interpersonal conflicts.

In the end, the scattered whispers are a reflection of the noisy modern reality, both from outside and within ourselves.

Untangling the complexities of internal communication is not just a psychological task, but also a profound philosophical and spiritual journey.

As Socrates reminds us, "An unexamined life is not worth living." We are invited to continuously engage in self-reflection and bravely face it.

By building clear and loving internal communication, we not only restore mental balance, but also prepare ourselves. To become mature, wise individuals, capable of bringing harmony in a world that continues to move ever faster. (*)