Have you ever known who was on the telephone before you answered it?
Have you ever had a gut feeling that defied logic but turned out to be true?
Have you ever known what someone was going to say before they said it?
If you answered €˜yes’ to any of these questions you have experienced intuition.
In spite of the mystery, stereotypes, misconceptions and €˜hype’ that are often associated with intuition, it is a normal human function. There are certainly people who are born with a greater ability than others, just as there are those who are born with a more highly developed athletic or musical talent.
The truth is we all have this basic skill. We have not understood how it operates and perhaps that is the reason we have not been encouraged to pay attention to or develop this €˜sixth sense’. In fact we have been taught to ignore, devalue and distrust it. This is unfortunate as it can be an enormous source of help and guidance in a variety of ways in our lives. There are many who have developed this ability and found it to be of enormous help in business, relationships, & decision making. In addition, it can be a wonderful asset to help combat stress, improve health, enhance creativity, and boost personal and professional performance. Used properly intuition is an invaluable tool that can help keep us on our “right path” in life.
Recently a client told me that she credits her intuition for helping her achieve the high quality of life she has achieved. I have known her for many years and know this to be true as I watched her develop, integrate and use this ability. She has created success in her marriage, business life, parenting and financial €˜world’. In addition to this very normal NH resident, there are also many stories about famous people such as CEO’s of major companies using this skill to balance the intellectual information that they use to make key decisions & run their companies.
What is intuition?
One way to view this ability is as simply another source of knowledge. It does not rely on the usual logical processes that our other ways of knowing do and so seems irrational or quirky to us. Fortunately, research has now provided great deal of information about the brain-body connection, how our minds operate and how the €˜gift’ of intuition can be cultivated.
Perhaps the easiest way to understand intuition is as an extension of our other senses. It travels over the same circuitry that our thoughts and feelings do. Each of us has one sense that is more highly attuned to receiving intuitive information. It may be a kind of inner voice, the ability to see inner images, a €˜gut response’, or an unexplainable but strong knowing. We all have the capacity to have one or all of these types
of knowing. In the beginning it is best to work first with the one that is strongest & most natural for you.
What is your strongest sense for receiving intuitive “hits”? How has it been helpful to you in your life? Are there times you have ignored your intuition and regretted it? We’d love to hear your stories in the comment section!
Next time: Five Steps to Enhance Your Intuition
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