What is Intuition?
There are many names for intuition: instinct, gut feeling, hunch, inner guide, sixth sense, divination, clairvoyance, higher self. Whatever you call it, we all have it. It’s the part of our being that is grounded, calm, present, and able to make authentic choices.
Intuition is defined as: “a thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.”
Intuition is the hidden whisper within that invites you closer to yourself and to the mysteries of life. We each have this inner guiding compass of intuition and yet it takes time, practice and a commitment to ones self to re-member and develop an intimate relationship with it. Intuition often arises as a felt sense in the body, a somatic awareness that is asking for you to pay attention and listen.
How Can I Tap Into & Strengthen My Intuition?
We all have a natural capacity to connect to our deeper intuitive knowing. Often growing our intuition is easier said than done with all the noise and chatter we can have in our minds.
External Distractions
Noise from stress and anxiety, noise from external stimulus like the news, social media, other people, or our own negative harsh judgmental voice. It takes time and practice to quiet these distracting voices and learn to tune into our intuition.
Rational Thought vs Intuition
We have to learn the distinction between conscious rational thought and intuition.
Practicing Mindfulness
We grow this capacity to tune into our intuition through mindfulness – turning our awareness inward toward our body, breath, and mind. Focusing on body sensations and our breathing can help us to quiet the voices in our mind. It allows awareness of an inner space to arise in our consciousness – a quieter and calmer space where we can tune in and begin to hear the voice of our deeper self – our intuition. It is there, waiting for us. Through meditative practice and turning inward again and again, we gradually can become more grounded. Through mindfulness and intention, we find peace and begin to hear our inner voice of knowing – our intuition.
Ask for Guidance
There are other relational ways to support the development of one’s intuition including engaging in therapy and/or healing modalities. Psychotherapy allows one to feel the supportive presence of another person as you look at and begin to call into question certain pattern and ways of being about yourself in a respectful way. You get the space to look at yourself understand in a more in-depth way – how and why you do what you do. Therapy also provides a space to develop insight, awareness, and self-compassion. It provides a space where we can begin to rewrite and re-imagine new possibilities for our life.
Questions to consider when connecting to your intuition:
- How do I feel right now?
- How does my body feel?
- What is calling to me in this moment?
- Is there an impulse that wants to move through me, or words that want to be spoken?
- In what ways does my creativity want to be expressed?
Ongoing ways to connect to your intuition:
- Pay attention to your dreams and record them in a journal
- Spend time in nature and notice what nature evokes on you. Nature often serves as a mirror to a deeper part of our self.
- Pray (this can be religious, spiritual, or both and is not bound to a particular religion).
- Allow yourself to play, feel joy, and be curious.
- Spend time in meditation, quieting your mind and listening.
If you would like additional guidance to tap into and grow your intuitive knowing, I would love to support you on this journey. Contact me online or email me at [email protected].
