Freedom from the Inner Critic
Let go of other voices so that you can trust yourself.
with Elizabeth Pyjov, JD MTS
Release the judgments.
Enjoy being in your own skin.
Video Invite
Welcome to Happiness Sangha, from Elizabeth
Freedom from the Inner Critic is about releasing others' judgments so that you can listen to yourself, and releasing your own judgments so that you can enjoy being in your own skin. Created by Elizabeth Pyjov, this program has changed many lives for the better over the past twelve years.
What this program brings
Understanding the inner critic is part of the path to wisdom and joy.
Trust yourself
let go of other voices and come back to your own inner knowing
Listen to yourself
release others' judgments so you can hear what you actually think and want
Feel at home in your skin
release your own judgments and enjoy simply being who you are
More energy
the inner critic drains energy; freedom from it gives that energy back
More creativity
without a harsh inner judge, ideas have room to breathe and grow
Protection from burnout
thrive in demanding environments without turning against yourself
Mental clarity
move from attack to observation and discernment, which carry no emotional resistance
Kindness toward yourself
begin the journey of treating yourself with real warmth, and have fun doing it
You'll also:
- Become more pleasant to be around, at home and at work
- Feel physically better, with less stress in the body
- Think more constructively about the past and the future
- Build daily meditation habits that stay with you
Do you experience the painful
effects of self-judgment?
About the program
The science
We spend time learning the science behind the inner critic: where it comes from and what its evolutionary purpose is.
Ancient wisdom
We examine teachings from contemplative traditions, including the Buddhist perspective on Mara, the incarnation of the inner judge, who is also the deity of ignorance and fear.
4 recorded sessions
90 minutes each, from a past live class with Elizabeth
On your own schedule
Start whenever you're ready and move at your own pace
Meditations to keep
guided meditations you get to keep forever, with structure to help you meditate daily
Meet your teacher
Elizabeth Pyjov studied the neuroscience of the inner critic at Stanford Medical School and Buddhism at Harvard Divinity School. In this program she combines both backgrounds to share these powerful techniques with you.
Freedom from the inner critic has been her own way of thriving in very competitive environments, including Harvard Law School and one of the most competitive law firms in the world.
Read Elizabeth's full bio →
How it works
Register
Get instant access to the program.
Watch the sessions
Four 90-minute recorded sessions, whenever it suits you.
BEING homework
Guided meditations you get to keep forever.
THINKING homework
A new reading each week to deepen your understanding.
DOING homework
A new practice on-the-go each week, so the work moves into daily life.
The practices
An experience that is spiritual, practical, intellectual, psychological, emotional, and community-building.
science
research on the brain and where the inner critic comes from
psychology
strategies to break free from the harsh inner voice
meditation
guided practices to soften self-judgment in body and heart
wisdom
perspectives from Buddhism and other contemplative traditions
10 reasons to reduce your inner critic
The science and Buddhism behind it.
You're more pleasant to be aroundPartners, family, and co-workers will thank you.
You feel physically betterLess resistance means less stress and inflammation in the body.
Releasing judgment is part of the pathLetting go first is the shortcut.
Most thoughts are self-criticalOf our many thousands of daily thoughts, they can't all be correct.
It keeps us from awakeningIn Buddhism, the inner critic turns nirvana into samsara.
You thrive anywhereEven in the most competitive environments.
You have more energyThe inner critic is one of the biggest energy drains.
Your focus sharpensThe prefrontal cortex, linked to awareness and decision-making, grows thicker.
You freak out lessThe amygdala, your alarm center, gets smaller.
You treat yourself with kindnessLess inner critic means more clarity. And it's fun!
Join from anywhere in the world
Testimonials & Kind Words
I appreciate how you approach the issue from all angles, including scientific and spiritual. The image of Siddhartha repelling Mara’s negativity with lotus flowers was a good one! Thank you for devoting your extensive education and career to improving the lives of others!
Harvard Law School AlumThanks to the Happiness Sangha Inner Critic class, I'm finding more acceptance of myself in each moment. I always enjoy how Elizabeth references a variety of people, whether they are scientists, musicians, poets, religious figures, or others. This gives me a glimpse of reality when light is shined on it from many different directions.
Darin A.This helped me see how discomfort and anxiety in my day-to-day life related to fears that I have held for a lifetime. Thank you!
Scott S.Thanks to this Happiness Sangha class on the Inner Critic, I am much more aware that I can contribute to my happiness and ease by taking the inner critic out of the equation. As a first timer in this class, this content ALL feels brand new. I find myself wondering how I've never encountered it before and wanting all humans to have access to it! I love the balance between disciplines (religion, poetry, science, etc). Elizabeth you are knowledgeable and wise and find a way to make this class so accessible.
Carla B.Since taking Happiness Sangha classes, the relationship with my daughter is making great leaps and bounds. I found that if I listen without judgment (surprise), put all of my things down and talk from my heart, everything gets off to a great start.
Lee J.Thanks to the Happiness Sangha Inner Critic Class, I am far more aware of the inner critic - both toward myself and others. I don't know that I've been able to let go of anything in particular. But the fact that I feel less of a constant knot inside my stomach leads me to believe I've made enough progress to help me continue with meditating daily. The meditations were my favorite parts by far. I really enjoy the way you lead them!
Jim G.My takeaways: the guilt-tripper has worked really hard on me during certain cycles in my life, sucking my energy. Whew — feels good to name it and allow myself to become more aware of it when it arises. Also, the meditation at the end with the 3 loved ones — so powerful.
AliciaYour topic was very timely for us: freedom from your inner critic and the value of self-compassion. We all appreciated your wisdom and expertise but also your wonderful style and manner of delivery.
John Madigan, Executive RoundtableThis was an excellent session! Thank you Elizabeth for integrating the wisdom you've learned from such diverse disciplines such as mindfulness, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, guided visualization and self-compassion. I took away several specific techniques that will help me on my organizational journeys!
Bill Murphy, Executive Roundtable-(1).jpg)
Keep in touch
- Daily text: text PATH to 41372 for short, free morning inspiration from Elizabeth
- Instagram: @happinesssangha and @elizabethpyjov
- Facebook: join the Continuing Compassion group
- LinkedIn: connect with Elizabeth
Less inner critic.
More energy, clarity, and joy.
Questions? Write to elizabeth@happinessangha.com