Intuition: our inner guidance system

Intuition means literally “inner teacher”; it is our inner guidance system.

A dictionary definition reads: “an ability to understand or know something without needing to think about it or use reason to discover it, or a feeling that shows this ability”.

It is the quiet inner voice that provides not only guidance, but clarity and a sense of peace.

It is wisdom that comes from a higher part of ourselves – depending your beliefs from:

• our soul or spirit

• higher self

• or directly from angels or even God.

It’s entirely your choice as to whether you follow that guidance. There are no consequences other than those that follow from your own actions.

Intuition vs Gut Instinct

Not all intuition comes from a higher part of ourselves. We also experience what many would call intuition because our brain analyses patterns and probabilities before our conscious mind has time to catch up. This “intuition” comes from our unconscious mind, which we often call gut instinct.

Gut instinct comes directly from messages that the body sends us. It is what tells you there is something weird or “off” about someone you meet, for example. It can also apply for someone who is trained in a specialisation, and they choose the best of many possible actions without conscious analytic reasoning. It’s distinct from instinct, which is hard-wired.

The following story from https://positivepsychology.com illustrates how a combination of intuition and gut instinct by art experts led to them uncovering a forgery.

In 1983, Gianfranco Becchina had a rare sixth-century sculpture for sale with a staggering $10 million price tag. The Getty Museum, having reviewed X-rays, expert testimony, and historical documentation, agreed to its purchase amid considerable media hype.

However, when Evelyn Harrison, a renowned expert on Greek sculptures, and Thomas Hoving, former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, arrived to admire the statue, they knew, intuitively, something was wrong.

According to Hoving, it seemed “fresh,” which was unexpected as the 2,000-year-old statue had been taken out of the ground.

And they were right. While the sculpture was from a workshop in Rome, it originated from a forger in 1980, rather than a master sculptor from antiquity (Gladwell, 2005).

We can explain this by recognising that there are three aspects to our mind:

• The Conscious Mind is what we use to engage with the physical world through our 5 senses. We operate with this part of our mind during daily activities and waking hours, but it’s only a very small portion of our awareness (generally considered to be only 2 to 5%).

• The Subconscious Mind exists below the level of conscious awareness. It records everything we have said or done, all our likes and dislikes, and the events we have experienced. Although most of the information stored is hidden from our conscious awareness, it has a tremendous influence on how we think and act.

• The Superconscious Mind taps into a level of awareness beyond physical reality. When we access this mind we draw from a collective field of energy, from which all truly creative ideas, scientific discoveries and great works of art flow. Deep spiritual experiences and profound healing can also take place. We know we are using the superconscious mind when we experience states of deep peace, joy and bliss.

How do you recognise the voice of intuition?

It has the following characteristics:

• It is clear and direct.

• There is no arguing or bargaining with it.

• It doesn’t respond to “what” or “why” questions.

You may not understand why you have received that guidance (perhaps you will later, after some time has passed).

Your intuition doesn’t:

• Tell you to harm yourself or others

• Warn, cajole or threaten you if the recommended action isn’t taken

• Chatter or justify.

Intuition can come in a variety of ways – it’s not always a voice. In fact, the form it usually takes is specific to you and your sensory type.

Intuition may come as a:

• sudden clarity of thought

• voice in the head (i.e. heard in the mind)

• vision or dream

• feeling

• knowing – suddenly just knowing something

• message appearing in the outside world – e.g. seen on a billboard or number plate, or heard on the radio.

Using Intuition when making important decisions

1. Meditate or use a breathing technique to calm and quiet the mind. Ask for guidance.
   

2. Ask “How do I feel about the decision?” Focus on your body sensations, noting whether you feel an expansive, open, joyful feeling; a contracting, sinking or fearful feeling; or a neutral one.
   

3. Formulate the scenario where you’ve made the decision and run it through in your mind as though you’re living it. Note your body sensations.
   

4. Then run the scenario where you have chosen not to go ahead with the decision and note your body sensations. Notice whether one scenario gives you more expansive, joyful feelings than the alternative.
   

5. Explore whether fear is fuelling the decision – e.g. you’re feeling rushed into it by someone or some event. Don’t allow pressure to push you into the decision before you’re really sure. Put it on the “back burner” or sleep on it.

I run a 3-hour workshop, Develop Your Intuition and Live with More Joy. Click here to check out details and click here if you would like a workshop in your area.

If you want to know more about me or my Energy Healing work, click here.