“Intuition – The power of the mind by which it immediately perceives the truth of things without reasoning or analysis……..instinctive knowledge …… ” – Chambers Dictionary 12th Edition
Intuition is also referred to as the sixth sense – the intuitive faculty giving awareness to that which is not perceived by the five physical senses i.e. sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Intuition is a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind, it provides us with an additional level of information that is beyond the understanding of the analytical and logical mind and acts as a compass to navigate through life.
Although some may experience a sense of unease with the notion of relying on intuition Vs the proven rational mind and intellect for decision making, we are witnessing a significant shift in focus and emphasis towards the capital to be gained from the qualities of intuition, EQ (Emotional Intelligence), SQ (Spiritual Intelligence), mindfulness and meditation.
Intelligence highly awakened is intuition which is the only true guide in life. – Krishnamurti
Balance is important. To use all of the ingenuity of the brain and mind including intuition as well as logic and reason enhances our capabilities and survival as a species.
I’m claiming bragging rights for having exceptional intuition and for the best part when intuition beckons I respond with action, or inaction as the case maybe.
What happens when we don’t act upon our intuition?
January 8th, 2002
We were going to the beach. They wanted to go to Tamarama – considered to be the most dangerous patrolled beach in New South Wales (Australia). As I lived across the road from Bondi beach I was happy to leave the car behind and swim at Bondi.
After a discussion about the pros and cons of each beach and even though every cell in my being was screaming at me not to go Tamarama, I uncharacteristically went against my intuition and unwillingly went to Tamarama beach.
Swimming between the flags, a few minutes in and only shoulder deep I felt a strong sense of dread with a “voice” telling me to get out of the water. It was too late, King Neptune decided to dump me with great force and speed head first into the sand (under water).
Whilst being tumultuously tossed around and bounced onto my coccyx, exhausted, in pain and with my left side numb I was struggling to overpower King Neptune – I was in the process of drowning with a spinal injury. Then I heard a very calm voice say “Let go, let go” and I then gave up the struggle and let go.
Eleven days in hospital with a spinal injury and the rest is history. This experience has served as my biggest lesson for not acting upon my intuition and as a metaphor in my life for letting go.
Being intuitive is a wonderful gift however it’s not until you act upon your intuition that you truly leverage this powerful force in life.
Have you ever have a hunch, a strong sense of something, a flash of intuition – that great truth in a moment when you sense that it’s time to change course or direction, let go of a job and start a business, fall in love or get a medical check up?
Did you see something in your mind’s eye, have shivers down your spine or hear a distinct voice? As you continuously have sensory based experiences throughout your entire life distinguishing intuition is not always easy.
How do you determine that the seemingly “right” voice, clear picture or gut feeling is not actually in response to the enormity of your emotional investment in an outcome and how can you learn to cut through the layers of logic to get in touch with the power of your intuition?
5 keys to unlock the power of intuition
Learn how to calibrate your experiences – recognize the sensory based signals for your intuition. You really want to nail this one
- When you think you have an intuitive flash take note (literally) and write down how the information was communicated to you i.e. did you see an image or hear a voice? Did you have a kinaesthetic i.e. physical feelings/touch representation or was there a distinct smell or taste?
- Do this each time you have a flash of intuition
You are looking for a pattern i.e. I experience intuition through all senses however on the auditory sense – the “voice” I hear always has the same tonal quality, timbre, volume and pace so I can determine the “voice” of intuition from an inner critic voice or voice with a different intention.
Write morning pages –every day for one month or more
20 years ago Julia Cameron, through her book, “The Artist’s Way” introduced me to the “morning pages” and I did them religiously for about 8 consecutive weeks.
- Start when you wake up before you have breakfast and a shower etc
- Hand write (spurs on more unconscious creative flow than an electronic device) whatever comes without censoring, three A4 pages
- Keep writing even when the content doesn’t make sense
- If you have “writers block” – write the word “the” or “and” on the page repeatedly until you start the flow of writing again
- Only read it after you finish the last page
Keep a dream journal – Intuition is often present in dreams
- Keep a paper book, pen and torch by the bed
- Record your dream/s as soon as you wake up
- Make sure you include all emotions experienced in your dreams and as much detail as possible i.e. colour, sounds, tastes, smells, people etc
You are looking for any patterns running through your dreams i.e. any concurrent themes
Be still and then ask questions
- Go alone to a quiet place and be still so you can become aware of any intuitive guidance
- Practice daily meditation. Through time the internal dialogue will become less dominant and the clearer your mind the better able you will be to receive intuitive guidance
- Once you have finished your quiet time or meditation, ask yourself a series of questions i.e. is it in my best interest to take this (specify the contract) contract? Go with the first answer and write it down and don’t analyse or judge the information Repeat with two more questions and answers
Intuition does not have a win-lose orientation, it is an intelligence that delivers information via an unbiased communication.
Act on your intuition – critical step to get results
You will have to be prepared to take some risks however a little bit of risk taking is better than regret from not having acted on a hunch. It will be worth it in the end.
- Once you feel you have confidence in distinguishing your intuition and its signals to you from other sensory based communications go ahead and act on that intuitive guidance
The way to develop a skill is through reinforcement and repetition i.e. your create a pattern and creating a pattern of mastery over your intuition can lead to greater mastery over your life.
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