“Our instinct or innate intuitive way of thinking and behavin is fine tuned. Pay attention to it. Our intuition is always right.”–Dr. Free
I am enjoying reading the book Developing Intuition: Practical Guide for Daily Life by Shakti Gawain. I am being reminded of some valuable information that is inspiring and I hope that by sharing this blog you too will be impacted in a positive way.
As children, we are born with the gift of intuition. We all have varying degrees of intuition but we are all born with the gift. Intuition, unlike instinct, grants us access to a wider range of knowledge and understanding. Like animals, we do possess instinct about how to survive and protect ourselves. However, as humans, our intuition provides so much more for us. To begin According to Gawain, it connects us to the soul level of our existence and deepens our relationship with our spiritual nature. Further, she explains how intuition leads us in a more effortless flow of life. Then our life weaves smoothly with those around us.
I call intuition a gift because it helps us access information beyond the limitations of our five senses and draws from the wisdom of the infinite universal life force. This gift of intuition makes our lives easier and less stressful. Gawain shares that what we perceive through our five senses and process in our rational mind is based merely on our personal information from previous experiences. While intuition gives us exactly what we need when we need it.
Unfortunately, as children, we are conditioned and socialized away from using our natural gift by various external influences like the impressions of authority figures in our lives, schooling, religious affiliation, and sometimes even parenting. Society reinforces rational thinking and suppresses the use of intuitive thinking. Oftentimes this does not happen due to malicious reasons or with an intention to minimize one’s individuality. The result in many cases is the consequence of learning to adapt, function, and become an “asset” to society. Nonetheless, there is hope. We can reclaim and develop our intuitive abilities.
Respecting authority figures is important. At the same time, it is also important to know how to rely on yourself instead of depending on outside sources. We can listen to the advice of others with a discerning heart as needed but we should never go against our gut! It’s liberating to know that we should and can provide our own confirmation for the decisions we make in life.
Moreover, I have discovered that intuition is protected when we nurture the decision-making process in children and provide them opportunities to be creative. Conscious parenting tells children that its okay to trust themselves. The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves Empowering Our Children by Shefali Tsabary is a great resource for gaining deeper insight on this topic. Adding esoteric or non-religious spiritual practices like cultural rituals, meditation, and journaling can bring the balance we need that nurtures intuition and helps to create a well-rounded lifestyle we can enjoy.
As an academic, I was trained to be a thinker which includes synthesizing information, analyzing circumstances, and scrutinizing with an informed perspective. So, I admit sometimes I get into unnecessary wrestling matches with myself when my knower (my intuition) speaks. I wrestle or doubting myself by comparing what logically makes sense with my intuition. Reading the book reminded me that logic and intuition hardly ever go hand and hand. Sometimes, I analytically think myself away from the right answer, or the right place I need to be. It is more important to follow our intuition rather than wasting time looking for evidence. Following intuition is like walking on stepping stones to a flower garden. With intuition, you can only take one step at a time. As we go along in faith with what we know more is revealed. Eventually, in due time, we will realize the reason why. Following our intuition can actually become a thrilling adventure when we exercise trust and patience. No wrestling is required.
Intuition is seeing with the soul.”
—Dean Koonz
Thank you for reading! Post a comment! Authentic thoughts are thoughts that are genuine and sincerely expressed. Authentic thoughts reverberate with other authentic individuals so they have an irresistible urge to ponder and respectfully respond from their own unique perspective.